SBIR Phase I: Efficient Light Out Coupling from AlGaN Light Emitting Diodes

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一期项目建议开发新的设备概念和制造技术，以大大提高光提取效率。由于发光二极管（LED）材料与环氧树脂/空气界面之间的折射率不匹配，目前的固态器件的光提取效率很低（10%）。新概念通过详细控制LED芯片周围材料的光学特性（折射率、散射、吸收等），最大限度地提高了输出耦合。这将通过使用纳米技术为基础的材料沉积技术来实现，该技术适用于LED和LED阵列的大批量生产。这个项目的商业应用是白炽灯和荧光灯的节能替代品。这些技术适用于所有LED光源。因此，任何当前的应用，如便携式电子设备的照明、汽车、交通信号等，都将立即受益于效率的提高。提高效率还将在传统光源目前占主导地位的地方开辟新的市场，并将大大减少能源需求，降低污染水平，减少有毒废物（例如荧光灯产生的汞），并减少对外国石油供应商的依赖。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project propose to develop new device concepts and manufacturing techniques to greatly increase light extraction efficiency. Current solid state devices suffer from poor light extraction efficiencies (10%) as the result of the mismatch in the index of refraction between the light emitting diode (LED) material and epoxy/air interface. The new concept maximizes output coupling through detailed control of the optical properties (refractive index, scattering, absorption, etc.) of the materials surrounding the LED die. This will be accomplished through the use of a nanotechnology based material deposition technique suitable for high volume production of LEDs and LED arrays.The commercial application of this project is in energy efficient replacements for incandescent and fluorescent lighting. These techniques have applicability to all LED light sources. Thus, any current application, such as lighting in portable electronics, automobiles, traffic signaling, etc., will immediately benefit from the increased efficiency. Increased efficiency will also open new markets where traditional light sources currently dominate and will lead to significantly reduced energy requirements, lower levels of pollution, reduced toxic waste (e.g., Hg from fluorescent lamps) and a reduced dependence on foreign oil suppliers.