US6469322B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Green emitting phosphor for use in UV light emitting diodes
Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions LLC
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Filing: 2000-05-30
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Granted: 2002-10-22
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Expires: 2020-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A green-emitting phosphor is provided, which has the general formula Ln x BO 3 : Ce 3+ y , Tb 3+ z , where Ln includes one or more lanthanide-type elements, such as Sc, Y, La, Gd, and Lu. x+y+z=1; 0≦x≦0.98; 0≦y≦0.5; and 0≦z≦0.5. The phosphor efficiently converts light in the UV/blue region of the spectrum (250-400 nm) to light of longer wavelength, with a peak emission intensity of about 545 nm. The phosphor is used alone, or in a phosphor blend for converting UV/blue light from a GaN-base light emitting diode to green or white light, respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Alok M. Srivastava
- 👤 William W. Beers
- 👤 Holly A. Comanzo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:34
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; H10H20/85; H10H20/851; H10H20/8511; H10H20/8512; C; C09; C09K; C09K11/00; C09K11/08; C09K11/77; C09K11/7728; C09K11/7729; C09K11/7731; C09K11/7734; C09K11/7766; C09K11/7767; C09K11/7768; C09K11/7774; C09K11/778; C09K11/7783; C09K11/7784; C09K11/7786; C09K11/7787; C09K11/7789; C09K11/7794; F; F21; F21K; F21K9/00; F21K9/60; F21K9/64; F21V; F21V3/00; F21V3/04; F21V3/10; F21V3/12; F21V7/00; F21V7/22; F21V7/28; F21Y; F21Y2115/00; F21Y2115/10; F21Y2115/30; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A light source comprising: a light emitting component which emits light at a first wavelength; and a phosphor material positioned to receive the light emitted by the light emitting component, the phosphor material including a green-emitting phosphor which converts a portion of the light of the first wavelength to light of a second, longer wavelength, the green-emitting phosphor having the general formula Ln x BO 3 : Ce 3+ y , Tb 3+ z , where: x=1−(y+z); 0<x≦0.98; 0.01≦y≦0.5; 0.02≦z≦0.5; and Ln includes one or more of Sc, Y, La, Gd, Lu, and other lanthanide elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A light source comprising: a light emitting component which emits light at a first wavelength; and a phosphor material positioned to receive the light emitted by the light emitting component, the phosphor material including a green-emitting phosphor which converts a portion of the light of the first wavelength to light of a second, longer wavelength, the green-emitting phosphor having the general formula Ln x BO 3 : Ce 3+ y , Tb 3+ z , where: x=1−(y+z); 0<x≦0.98; 0.01≦y≦0.5; 0.02≦z≦0.5; and Ln includes one or more of Sc, Y, La, Gd, Lu, and other lanthanide elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light source of claim 1 , wherein the light emitting component is selected from the group consisting of light emitting diodes and laser diodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The light source of claim 2 , wherein the light emitting component emits light in at least one of the blue and the UV regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light source of claim 3 , wherein the light emitting component includes a GaN-based semiconductor material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The light source of claim 1 , wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Y, Sc, La, and Gd, and combinations thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light source of claim 1 , wherein Ln consists of Y and Gd in approximately equal proportions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light source of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of Ce:Tb is about 2:1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fight source of claim 7 , wherein the phosphor material further includes at least one of a blue-emitting phosphor and a red-emitting phosphor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The light source of claim 8 , wherein the blue emitting phosphor is selected from the group consisting of: (Ba, Sr, Ca) 5 (PO 4 ) 3 Cl:Eu 2+ ; Mn 2+ ; Y 2 O 3 :Bi 3+ , Eu 2+ ; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The light source of claim 8 , wherein the red emitting phosphor is selected from the group consisting of: Ca 8 Mg(SiO 4 ) 4 Cl 2 :Eu 2+ , Mn 2+ ; Y 2 O 3 : Bi 3+ ,Eu 2+ ; Y 2 O 2 S:Eu; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The light source of claim 1 , further including: a housing; and a reflective coating disposed on an interior surface of the housing, the light emitting component being positioned within the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light source of claim 11 , wherein the phosphor material is dispersed in a medium which encapsulates the light emitting component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light source of claim 1 , wherein said second wavelength light is used to excite a second phosphor material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
118 words
A light source comprising: a housing, the housing being closed by a window; a light emitting component positioned within the housing which emits light at a first wavelength; and a phosphor material, the phosphor material being deposited on the window and positioned to receive the light emitted by the light emitting component, the phosphor material including a green-emitting phosphor which converts a portion of the light of the first wavelength to light of a second, longer wavelength, the green-emitting phosphor having the general formula Ln x BO 3 : Ce 3+ y , Tb 3+ z , where: x=1−(y+z); 0<x≦0.98; 0.01≦y≦0.5; 0.02≦z≦0.5; and Ln includes one or more of Sc, Y, La, Gd, Lu, and other lanthanide elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
118 words
A light source comprising: a housing, the housing being closed by a window; a light emitting component positioned within the housing which emits light at a first wavelength; and a phosphor material, the phosphor material being deposited on the window and positioned to receive the light emitted by the light emitting component, the phosphor material including a green-emitting phosphor which converts a portion of the light of the first wavelength to light of a second, longer wavelength, the green-emitting phosphor having the general formula Ln x BO 3 : Ce 3+ y , Tb 3+ z , where: x=1−(y+z); 0<x≦0.98; 0.01≦y≦0.5; 0.02≦z≦0.5; and Ln includes one or more of Sc, Y, La, Gd, Lu, and other lanthanide elements.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of converting UV/blue light to light in the green region of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising: converting the UV/blue light with a phosphor of the general formula Ln x BO 3 : Ce 3+ Y , Tb 3+ z where: Ln includes one or more of Sc, Y, La, Gd, Lu, and other lanthanide elements; x=1−(y+z); 0<x≦0.98; 0.01≦y≦0.5; and 0.01≦z≦0.5.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of converting UV/blue light to light in the green region of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising: converting the UV/blue light with a phosphor of the general formula Ln x BO 3 : Ce 3+ Y , Tb 3+ z where: Ln includes one or more of Sc, Y, La, Gd, Lu, and other lanthanide elements; x=1−(y+z); 0<x≦0.98; 0.01≦y≦0.5; and 0.01≦z≦0.5.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Y, Sc, La, and Gd, and combinations thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein Ln consists of Y and Gd in approximately equal proportions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the ratio of Ce:Tb is about 2:1.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A phosphor material having the general formula Ln x BO 3 : Ce 3+ y , Tb 3+ z where: Ln includes one or more of Sc, Y, La, Gd, Lu, and other lanthanide elements; x=1−(y+z); 0<x≦0.98; 0.01≦y≦0.5; and 0.01≦z≦0.5.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
A phosphor material having the general formula Ln x BO 3 : Ce 3+ y , Tb 3+ z where: Ln includes one or more of Sc, Y, La, Gd, Lu, and other lanthanide elements; x=1−(y+z); 0<x≦0.98; 0.01≦y≦0.5; and 0.01≦z≦0.5.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-21 | 2006-04-22 | 2006-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-21 | 2010-04-22 | 2010-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-04-22 | 2014-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |