Light emitting diode systems

• US 7,274,043 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2004
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Luminus Devices Incorporated (Sanan Optoelectronics Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Luminus Devices Incorporated (Sanan Optoelectronics Company Limited)
• Inventors: Erchak, Alexei A., Lidorikis, Eleftrios, Graff, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prenty; Mark V.
• Application Number:
  US10/872,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20050040424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 257/98, 257/99, 257/94, 257/100, 372/43.01, 372/45.012
• US Class Current: 257/98
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1225 comprising photonic band-gap structures or photonic lattices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/204 using secondary light emission, e.g. luminescence or fluorescence using different colours G03B33/00; if related to video signals H04N9/3197
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2933/0083 Periodic patterns for optical field-shaping in or on the semiconductor body or semiconductor body package, e.g. photonic bandgap structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/20 with a particular shape, e.g. curved or truncated substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3144 Cooling systems cooling of liquid crystal cells in general G02F1/133382; cooling of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/315 Modulator illumination systems general applications of lighting devices F21V; general optical systems G02B; lamp houses for projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/20

Abstract

Light emitting diode systems are disclosed. An optical display system that includes a light emitting diode (LED) and a cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system is configured so that, during use, the cooling system regulates a temperature of the light emitting diode.

Claims

1. An optical display system comprising;

a LED; and

a cooling system configured so that, during use, the cooling system regulates a temperature of the LED wherein the LED is a non-lambertian LED,

wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about one millimeter long.

2. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the LED includes a multi-layer stack of materials including a light generating region, and a first layer supported by the light generating region, a surface of the first layer being configured so that the light generated by the light generating region can emerge from the LED via the surface of the first layer.

3. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the LED is a photonic lattice light emitting device.

4. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern, the pattern having an ideal lattice constant and a detuning parameter with a value greater than zero.

5. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a nonperiodic pattern.

6. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a complex periodic pattern.

7. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about 1.5 millimeters.

8. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the cooling system comprises a fan.

9. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the cooling system is a liquid based cooling system.

10. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the cooling system is a thermoelectric cooler.

12. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the LED is selected from the group consisting of OLEDs, flat surface-emitting LEDs, HBLEDs, and combinations thereof.

13. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projector.

14. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projection television.

15. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a front projector.

16. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a home theatre system.

17. The optical display system of claim 1, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a portable projector.

86. The optical display system of claim 2, further comprising a microdisplay, wherein the light generated by the LED illuminates a surface of the microdisplay.

87. The optical display system of claim 86, wherein a ratio of an aspect ratio of the surface of the microdisplay and an aspect ratio of the surface of the first layer is from about 0.5 to about two.

88. The optical display system of claim 86, further comprising at least one optical component disposed along an optical path from the microdisplay to the LED, wherein the microdisplay, the LED and the optical component are positioned so that, during use, an image plane of the system does not coincide with the surface of the microdisplay illuminated by light emitted by the LED.

11. An optical display system comprising:

a LED;

a cooling system configured so that, during use, the cooling system regulates a temperature of the LED wherein the LED is a non-lambertian LED;

a sensor in thermal communication with the LED and in electrical communication with the cooling system.

89. The optical display system of claim 11, wherein the LED is a photonic lattice light emitting device.

90. The optical display system of claim 11, wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a nonperiodic pattern.

91. The optical display system of claim 11, wherein the cooling system comprises a fan.

92. The optical display system of claim 11, wherein the cooling system is a liquid based cooling system.

93. The optical display system of claim 11, wherein the cooling system is a thermoelectric cooler.

94. The optical display system of claim 11, wherein the LED includes a multi-layer stack of materials including a light generating region, and a first layer supported by the light generating region, a surface of the first layer being configured so that the light generated by the light generating region can emerge from the LED via the surface of the first layer.

95. The optical display system of claim 94, further comprising a microdisplay, wherein the light generated by the LED illuminates a surface of the microdisplay.

96. The optical display system of claim 95, wherein a ratio of an aspect ratio of the surface of the microdisplay and an aspect ratio of the surface of the first layer is from about 0.5 to about two.

97. The optical display system of claim 95, further comprising at least one optical component disposed along an optical path from the microdisplay to the LED, wherein the microdisplay, the LED and the optical component are positioned so that, during use, an image plane of the system does not coincide with the surface of the microdisplay illuminated by light emitted by the LED.

18. An optical display system comprising;

a LED; and

a cooling system configured so that, during use, the cooling system regulates a temperature of the LED wherein the LED is a photonic lattice LED.

19. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the LED is a non-lambertian light emitting device.

20. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the LED includes a multi-layer stack of materials including a light generating region, and a first layer supported by the light generating region, a surface of the first layer being configured so that the light generated by the light generating region can emerge from the LED via the surface of the first layer.

21. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern, the pattern having an ideal lattice constant and a detuning parameter with a value greater than zero.

22. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a nonperiodic pattern.

23. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a complex periodic pattern.

24. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about one millimeter long.

25. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about 1.5 millimeters.

26. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the cooling system comprises a fan.

27. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the cooling system is a liquid based cooling system.

28. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the cooling system is a thermoelectric cooler.

29. The optical display system of claim 18, further comprising a sensor in thermal communication with the LED and in electrical communication with the cooling system.

30. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the LED is selected from the group consisting of OLEDs, flat surface-emitting LEDs, HBLEDs, and combinations thereof.

31. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projector.

32. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projection television.

33. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a front projector.

34. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a home theatre system.

35. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a portable projector.

98. The optical display system of claim 18, comprising a liquid crystal display.

99. The optical display system of claim 20, further comprising a microdisplay, wherein the light generated by the LED illuminates a surface of the microdisplay.

100. The optical display system of claim 99, wherein a ratio of an aspect ratio of the surface of the microdisplay and an aspect ratio of the surface of the first layer is from about 0.5 to about two.

101. The optical display system of claim 99, further comprising at least one optical component disposed along an optical path from the microdisplay to the LED, wherein the microdisplay, the LED and the optical component are positioned so that, during use, an image plane of the system does not coincide with the surface of the microdisplay illuminated by light emitted by the LED.

102. The optical display system of claim 18, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about 1.5 millimeters.

103. The optical display system of claim 22, wherein the nonperiodic pattern comprising a plurality of holes in the surface.

104. The optical display system of claim 22, wherein the nonperiodic pattern comprises a plurality of features with a majority of the nearest neighbor distances between features being substantially the same.

105. The optical display system of claim 22, wherein the nonperiodic pattern comprises a plurality of features with a majority of the features having substantially the same shape.

36. An optical display system comprising;

a LED; and

a cooling system configured so that, during use, the cooling system regulates a temperature of the LED, wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern, the pattern having an ideal lattice constant and a detuning parameter with a value greater than zero.

37. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the LED is a non-lambertian light emitting device.

38. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the LED includes a multi-layer stack of materials including a light generating region, and a first layer supported by the light generating region, a surface of the first layer being configured, so that the light generated by the light generating region can emerge from the LED via the surface of the first layer.

39. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the LED is a photonic lattice light emitting device.

40. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about one millimeter long.

41. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about 1.5 millimeters.

42. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the cooling system comprises a fan.

43. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the cooling system is a liquid based cooling system.

44. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the cooling system is a thermoelectric cooler.

45. The optical display system of claim 36, further comprising a sensor in thermal communication with the LED and in electrical communication with the cooling system.

46. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the LED is selected from the group consisting of OLEDs, flat surface-emitting LEDs, HBLEDs, and combinations thereof.

47. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projector.

48. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projection television.

49. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a front projector.

50. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a home theatre system.

51. The optical display system of claim 36, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a portable projector.

52. An optical display system comprising;

a LED; and

a cooling system configured so that, during use, the cooling system regulates a temperature of the LED wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a nonperiodic pattern.

53. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the LED is a non-lambertian light emitting device.

54. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the LED includes a multi-layer stack of materials including a light generating region, and a first layer supported by the light generating region, a surface of the first layer being configured so that the light generated by the light generating region can emerge from the LED via the surface of the first layer.

55. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the LED is a photonic lattice light emitting device.

56. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about one millimeter long.

57. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about 1.5 millimeters.

58. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the cooling system comprises a fan.

59. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the cooling system is a liquid based cooling system.

60. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the cooling system is a thermoelectric cooler.

61. The optical display system of claim 52, further comprising a sensor in thermal communication with the LED and in electrical communication with the cooling system.

62. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the LED is selected from the group consisting of OLEDs, flat surface-emitting LEDs, HBLEDs, andcombinations thereof.

63. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projector.

64. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projection television.

65. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a front projector.

66. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a home theatre system.

67. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the optical display systemis configured to be used in a portable projector.

106. The optical display system of claim 52, comprising a liquid crystal display.

107. The optical display system of claim 54, further comprising a microdisplay, wherein the light generated by the LED illuminates a surface of the microdisplay.

108. The optical display system of claim 107, wherein a ratio of an aspect ratio of the surface of the microdisplay and an aspect ratio of the surface of the first layer is from about 0.5 to about two.

109. The optical display system of claim 107, further comprising at least one optical component disposed along an optical path from the microdisplay to the LED, wherein the microdisplay, the LED and the optical component are positioned so that, during use, an image plane of the system does not coincide with the surface of the microdisplay illuminated by light emitted by the LED.

110. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about 1.5 millimeters.

111. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the nonperiodic pattern comprising a plurality of holes in the surface.

112. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the nonperiodic pattern comprises a plurality of features with a majority of the nearest neighbor distances between features being substantially the same.

113. The optical display system of claim 52, wherein the nonperiodic pattern comprises a plurality of features with a majority of the features having substantially the same shape.

68. An optical display system comprising;

a LED; and

a cooling system configured so that, during use, the cooling system regulates a temperature of the LED wherein the LED has a surface with a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a complex periodic pattern.

69. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the LED is a non-lambertian light emitting device.

70. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the LED includes a multi-layer stack of materials including a light generating region, and a first layer supported by the light generating region, a surface of the first layer being configured so that the light generated by the light generating region can emerge from the LED via the surface of the first layer.

71. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the LED is a photonic lattice light emitting device.

72. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about one millimeter long.

73. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about 1.5 millimeters.

74. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the cooling system comprises a fan.

75. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the cooling system is a liquid based cooling system.

76. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the cooling system is a thermoelectric cooler.

77. The optical display system of claim 68, further comprising:

a sensor in thermal communication with the LED and in electrical communication with the cooling system.

78. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the LED is selected from the group consisting of OLEDs, flat surface-emitting LEDs, HBLEDs, and combinations thereof.

79. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projector.

80. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a rear projection television.

81. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a front projector.

82. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a home theatre system.

83. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the optical display system is configured to be used in a portable projector.

84. The optical display system of claim 68, wherein the LED has an edge that is at least about 2.5 millimeters.

85. The optical display system of claim 68, comprising a liquid crystal display.