WO2008011724A1 - Light source comprising edge emitting elements - Google Patents
Light source comprising edge emitting elements Download PDFInfo
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- WO2008011724A1 WO2008011724A1 PCT/CA2007/001338 CA2007001338W WO2008011724A1 WO 2008011724 A1 WO2008011724 A1 WO 2008011724A1 CA 2007001338 W CA2007001338 W CA 2007001338W WO 2008011724 A1 WO2008011724 A1 WO 2008011724A1
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- Prior art keywords
- light
- emitting
- emitting elements
- edge
- light source
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21K—NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21K9/00—Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
- F21V29/50—Cooling arrangements
- F21V29/51—Cooling arrangements using condensation or evaporation of a fluid, e.g. heat pipes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
- F21V5/007—Array of lenses or refractors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. for arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
- F21V5/04—Refractors for light sources of lens shape
- F21V5/048—Refractors for light sources of lens shape the lens being a simple lens adapted to cooperate with a point-like source for emitting mainly in one direction and having an axis coincident with the main light transmission direction, e.g. convergent or divergent lenses, plano-concave or plano-convex lenses
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
- F21V29/50—Cooling arrangements
- F21V29/70—Cooling arrangements characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
- F21V29/83—Cooling arrangements characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
- F21V29/85—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems characterised by the material
- F21V29/86—Ceramics or glass
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
- F21V29/85—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems characterised by the material
- F21V29/89—Metals
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2107/00—Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
- F21Y2107/60—Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements on stacked substrates
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2113/00—Combination of light sources
- F21Y2113/10—Combination of light sources of different colours
- F21Y2113/13—Combination of light sources of different colours comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
- F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2224/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies and methods related thereto as covered by H01L24/00
- H01L2224/01—Means for bonding being attached to, or being formed on, the surface to be connected, e.g. chip-to-package, die-attach, "first-level" interconnects; Manufacturing methods related thereto
- H01L2224/42—Wire connectors; Manufacturing methods related thereto
- H01L2224/47—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process
- H01L2224/48—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process of an individual wire connector
- H01L2224/4805—Shape
- H01L2224/4809—Loop shape
- H01L2224/48091—Arched
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L25/00—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof
- H01L25/03—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof all the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes
- H01L25/04—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof all the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes the devices not having separate containers
- H01L25/075—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof all the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes the devices not having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L33/00
- H01L25/0756—Stacked arrangements of devices
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L33/00—Semiconductor devices with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier specially adapted for light emission; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L33/48—Semiconductor devices with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier specially adapted for light emission; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof characterised by the semiconductor body packages
- H01L33/64—Heat extraction or cooling elements
- H01L33/642—Heat extraction or cooling elements characterized by the shape
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
- H10K2102/00—Constructional details relating to the organic devices covered by this subclass
- H10K2102/301—Details of OLEDs
- H10K2102/302—Details of OLEDs of OLED structures
- H10K2102/3023—Direction of light emission
- H10K2102/3035—Edge emission
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
- H10K50/00—Organic light-emitting devices
- H10K50/80—Constructional details
- H10K50/87—Arrangements for heating or cooling
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
- H10K59/00—Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element covered by group H10K50/00
- H10K59/30—Devices specially adapted for multicolour light emission
- H10K59/35—Devices specially adapted for multicolour light emission comprising red-green-blue [RGB] subpixels
Definitions
- LED-based light sources One challenge frequently encountered when developing LED-based light sources resides in the development of adequate cooling means for the LEDs comprised therein. For instance, since the performance of LEDs is generally sensitive to temperature, and variations therein, temperature dissipation and control often becomes an important design parameter. In particular, light sources combining a plurality of LEDs in a relatively tight configuration, for instance to provide higher output intensities or combined emission spectra, may require careful light source configuration design to enhance temperature management.
- LED-based light sources currently used, for example, in general purpose illumination applications, generally combine one or more surface emitting LEDs to provide a desired luminous effect.
- these surface emitting LEDs may be mounted in groups or arrays to provide illumination at one or more wavelengths that may, if appropriately configured, be combined to provide a desired output spectrum or pattern.
- LED-based light sources providing such combined outputs may be used, for example, as a white light source ⁇ e.g., combining red, green and blue (RGB) LEDs, red, amber, green and blue (RAGB) LEDs, etc.), as a patterned or multicolour light source, or as a light source of a desired or variable output spectrum.
- RGB red, green and blue
- RAGB red, amber, green and blue
- the surface emitting LEDs used are generally configured to provide a first large light- emitting surface and an opposite surface from which heat generated by the LED is dissipated through a heat sink or the like.
- the above surface emitting configuration often leads to various heat management and/or cooling difficulties that affect the overall performance of the light source. [0008] Consequently, there is a need for improved light sources, comprising LEDs and/or other such light-emitting elements, that overcome at least some of the drawbacks of known light sources.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a light source comprising edge emitting elements.
- a light source for providing illumination comprising: one or more edge emitting elements each respectively comprising one or more light-emitting edges adjoining two substantially opposed surfaces, an area of said substantially opposed surfaces being greater than that of said one or more light-emitting edges; one or more heat extractors, one or more of said substantially opposed surfaces of each of said one or more edge emitting elements being thermally coupled to a respective one of said heat extractors configured to extract heat therefrom; and driving means for driving said one or more edge emitting elements to emit light via said one or more light-emitting edges thereof to provide the illumination.
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the light source of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2 thereof;
- Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a light source comprising edge emitting elements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a light source comprising one edge emitting element in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 7 is a perspective view of a stacked light-emitting structure comprising edge emitting elements in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 8 is a perspective view of a stacked light-emitting structure comprising edge emitting elements in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 9 is a diagrammatical representation of a system comprising a light source and an optional feedback system in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 10 is a sectional view of a stacked light-emitting structure comprising edge emitting elements in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 11 is a side view of a light source comprising edge emitting elements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 12 is a top side view of an annular heat extractor carrying light emitting elements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 13 is a bottom side view of an annular heat extractor carrying light emitting elements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 14 is a diagrammatical view of a stack of light emitting elements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 15A is a perspective view of a heat extractor carrying a light emitting element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 15B is a perspective view of a heat extractor carrying a light emitting element in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- Figures 16A to 16D are schematic circuit diagrams for connecting light emitting elements according to embodiments of the present invention.
- Figure 17 is a perspective view of a heat extractor carrying light-emitting elements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 18 is a side view of an arrangement for mixing outputs of different edge emitting elements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- the term "light-emitting element” is used to define a device that emits radiation in a region or combination of regions of the electromagnetic spectrum for example, the visible region, infrared and/or ultraviolet region, when activated by applying a potential difference across it or passing a current through it, for example. Therefore a light-emitting element can have monochromatic, quasi-monochromatic, polychromatic or broadband spectral emission characteristics.
- light- emitting elements examples include semiconductor, organic, or polymer/polymeric light-emitting diodes, superluminescent diodes, lasing diodes, optically pumped phosphor coated light- emitting diodes, optically pumped nano-crystal light-emitting diodes or other similar devices as would be readily understood by a worker skilled in the art.
- the term light-emitting element is used to define the specific device that emits the radiation, for example a LED die, and can equally be used to define a combination of the specific device that emits the radiation together with a housing or package within which the specific device or devices are placed.
- edge emitting element is generally used to define a light-emitting element, as defined above, which emits light from one or more of its edges, that is, from an edge generally adjoining two substantially opposed surfaces each having an area at least greater than that of this edge.
- edge emitting element is used to represent a light-emitting element from which light is emitted via one or more light-emitting edges thereof, the one or more light-emitting edges having an area that is at least lesser than that of at least some of the nominally non-emitting surfaces of the light-emitting element. As will be discussed further below, at least some of these larger non-emitting surfaces are used for heat dissipation.
- edge emitting element also refers to an element emitting light from the edge of an active layer within the element, irrespectively of how the element is cut from its multilayered wafer during manufacture. It is contemplated that light can be emitted from a surface of an edge emitting element, as defined herein, which is not one of the smallest surfaces of this element, but which remains of lesser area than at least one of the nominally non-emitting surfaces of the light-emitting element.
- edge emitting element may also refer to a light emitting element from which light is totally internally reflected, or at least substantially reflected, from one or more smaller area surfaces, which would otherwise be light emitting edges, to be emitted from a portion or portions of one or more larger surfaces, which would be nominally non-emitting surfaces in the absence of the total internal reflection.
- non-emitting surface refers to a surface on a light emitting element, as defined above, through which light would nominally not be emitted, but through which some light may still be emitted in practice.
- non-emitting surfaces are not meant to exclusively define surfaces from which light may not be emitted, but more generally, to define surfaces of the light-emitting element that are not generally considered as primary light-emitting surfaces, that is, surfaces from which light may be emitted, but in a proportion that is at most secondary relative to emissions provided from the one or more light-emitting edges of such light-emitting elements.
- heat extractor is used to define a material, device, system and/or environment capable of absorbing heat from another object, namely a light-emitting element such as an edge emitting element as defined above, with which it is thermally coupled.
- a heat extractor which may comprise one or more independent and/or coupled heat extractors, is generally configured to conduct heat absorbed thereby away from its source (e.g., the light-emitting element) and spread or dissipate the heat over a larger surface area.
- the heat extractor reduces the temperature of the source through increased thermal mass and/or heat dissipation by conduction, convection, radiation and/or active cooling.
- heat extractors may include, but are not limited to, different types of heat sink, for instance comprised of metal structures such as plates, rods and the like (e.g., copper, aluminium, aluminium nitride, copper-tungsten, etc.), different types of thermal electric coolers, forced air systems or heat pipe(s), different types of macro channel or micro channel fluid cooling systems, or other similar heat extraction and/or dissipation system as would be readily understood by a worker skilled in the art.
- the term heat extractor is further used to define a passive and/or active cooling system(s) operatively and/or thermally coupled to, or integrated within a heat extracting structure of a lighting device.
- spectrum spectra
- emission spectrum are used interchangeably to define one or more spectral characteristics of a given light source, light-emitting element or other such light-emitting device, wherein such characteristics may include, but are not limited to, a spectral power distribution (SPD), one or more peak intensity wavelengths and/or emission bands, one or more spectral intensity profiles, and the like.
- SPD spectral power distribution
- the present invention provides a light source comprising edge emitting elements.
- the light source generally comprises one or more edge emitting elements, each having a substantially same (for example blue, red, green, etc.) or similar (for example warm white and cool white) emission spectrum, or having substantially different respective emission spectra/colours (for example red, green and blue), and one or more heat extractors thermally coupled thereto.
- Driving means are also provided to drive the edge emitting elements.
- Output optical means such as reflectors, lenses, diffusers, collimators, filters and the like may also be included to collect, mix and/or redirect light emitted by the one or more edge emitting elements to produce a desired optical effect.
- the light source may also comprise an optional control feedback system adapted to monitor output of the light source and adjust the driving means and/or output optical means to maintain a desired or optimal output.
- each edge emitting element of a given light source generally comprises one or more light-emitting edges and two or more non-emitting surfaces from which heat may be extracted and dissipated via heat extractors respectively coupled thereto.
- the non-emitting surfaces have an area greater than that of the light- emitting edge(s) and thus provide for greater heat extraction and dissipation.
- the use of edge emitting elements, as described herein provides for greater heat extraction and dissipation, and consequently greater thermal management and temperature control, which may translate into greater light source performance, reliability, stability and longevity.
- the one or more edge emitting elements may be operated independently, in a group or array, or as part of one or more stacked edge emitting devices.
- each edge emitting element is operated independently via respective driving means.
- each edge emitting element is thermally coupled to one or more respective heat extractors (e.g., see Figures 4 and 15).
- the heat extractors of each edge emitting element may be used as independent heat extraction and dissipation means, or may be mutually coupled to provide a combined heat extraction and dissipation system for the entire light source, or for various subgroups of edge emitting elements thereof, as described below.
- a number of edge emitting elements are combined into a stacked light-emitting structure comprising successive intercalated light-emitting layers and heat extractor layers respectively (e.g., see Figures 1 to 3, 6 to 8, 10, 11 and 14).
- stacked light-emitting structures may comprise one or more light- emitting layers thermally coupled between two successive heat extractor layers.
- each light-emitting layer comprises a single edge emitting element thermally coupled between two successive heat extractor layers (e.g., see Figures 1 and 6).
- each light-emitting layer comprises two or more edge emitting elements thermally coupled between two successive heat extractor layers (e.g., see Figures 7, 8, 10 and 11).
- Other stack configurations and permutations having different numbers of light-emitting layers and heat extractor layers, and having various combinations of edge emitting elements and heat extractors for each such layer respectively, should be apparent to the person of skill in the art.
- each edge emitting element of a given light-emitting layer may have a substantially same or similar emission spectrum, different emission spectra, or the structure may comprise a combination of edge emitting elements, some of which having substantially same or similar spectra and some different.
- a stacked light- emitting structure comprises a number of light-emitting layers, each one of which being respectively comprised of edge emitting elements sharing a substantially same or similar emission spectrum/colour.
- a given stacked light-emitting structure may comprise, in accordance with one embodiment, a first light-emitting layer comprising edge emitting elements each having a first emission spectrum, and a second light- emitting layer comprising edge emitting elements each having a second, different emission spectrum; three or more such layers may also be provided depending on the application for which the light source is to be used.
- a given light source may comprise a single stacked light-emitting structure (e.g., see Figures 1 to 3 and 11), or comprise two or more stacked light- emitting structures.
- the light source comprises two or more stacked light-emitting structures each emitting light in accordance with a respective emission spectrum or colour.
- each stacked light- emitting structure of the light source emits light in accordance with a combined output spectrum obtained by combining the emissions of the various light-emitting layers thereof comprised of edge emitting elements, or subgroups thereof, having different emission spectra.
- stacked light emitting structures comprising different combinations of edge emitting elements in different configurations of light-emitting layers and heat extractor layers, may be considered without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.
- adjacent light-emitting layers may share a common heat extractor disposed therebetween, or be coupled to adjacently disposed but distinct heat extractors.
- stacked light-emitting structures may be manufactured to have various shapes and/or configurations depending on the application for which the light source is to be used. For instance, linear, square or rectangular stacks may be preferable in certain applications (e.g. see Figures 1 and 10), whereas cylindrical, conical or annular stacks (e.g. see Figures 11 to 13) may be best in other applications.
- An annular stack for example, may be disposed around and thermally connected to an axial heat pipe or other thermally conducting or thermally transporting component for extraction of the heat produced by the light emitting elements.
- the stack may be ID, or linear, and arranged in a horizontal, vertical or other orientation. It may be 2D, in which case edge emitting surfaces form a flat, two dimensional array. It may be a 2D array arranged in a virtual curved surface, such as the surface of a cylinder. It may also be a 3D array, having displaced rows allowing for the radiation emitted by edge emitting elements positioned in one or more rearward rows to pass by the edge emitting elements positioned in one or more frontward rows.
- 3D array having displaced rows allowing for the radiation emitted by edge emitting elements positioned in one or more rearward rows to pass by the edge emitting elements positioned in one or more frontward rows.
- stacked light-emitting structures may comprise edge emitting elements having different output spectra, or comprise a series of edge emitting elements all emitting light in accordance with a substantially same or similar output spectrum.
- a stacked light-emitting structure of edge emitting elements of a given output may be combined with light-emitting structures of edge emitting elements having different outputs to produce a combined optical effect.
- such combinations may be used in a high output light source to provide, once outputs from respective light-emitting structures are combined via common light collectors, mixers, etc., a combined output having a desired spectrum (e.g., a selected colour output, a white light source, etc.).
- an edge emitting element comprises a substantially planar light-emitting element having one or more light-emitting edges adjoining two substantially opposed non-emitting surfaces; the one or more light-emitting edges may form an angle with, or be substantially perpendicular to, the non-emitting surfaces.
- one or more surfaces of the edge emitting element may be coated with a reflective coating, or manufactured to provide an increased internal reflectivity. Such reflective surfaces may be used, for example, to direct emissions of the edge emitting element out of a single edge, or again out of diametrically opposed edges.
- one or more surfaces, and particularly one or more light-emitting edges of the edge emitting element may be coated with an anti- reflection coating, or manufactured to provide a decreased internal reflectivity.
- anti-reflective surfaces may be used, for example, to enhance an emission efficiency of the edge emitting element in question.
- an edge emitting element is at least partly manufactured of light guiding materials such that light generated by the edge emitting element is guided by these light guiding materials to the one or more light-emitting edges from which it is emitted.
- Light guiding materials of lower refractive index may, for example, be disposed along one or more of the non-emitting surfaces of the edge emitting element to form a waveguide.
- a structure, such as a ridge waveguide or the like may be grown on the edge emitting element.
- Waveguiding may for example occur due to refractive index variation between active layer, guiding layer and cladding layer on a semiconductor light emitting element such as a semiconductor diode laser.
- Another example would be application of internal mirror layers that enclose the active layer similar as in the application of a single mirror layer on the substrate side of surface emitting LEDs.
- a combination of internal waveguiding layers and external waveguiding layers such as mirror coatings and the like may be used to achieve a desired effect.
- Other examples of similar edge emitting elements will be readily understood by a worker skilled in the art.
- reflecting and/or partially reflecting materials may be coated on the one or more light-emitting edges in order to facilitate lasing between these edge surfaces.
- the surfaces may be polished, and may be flat or curved.
- an edge emitting element may be configured such that an otherwise emitting edge thereof is configured to provide total or substantial internal reflection, thereby redirecting light directed thereto toward a portion of a nominally non-emitting surface.
- the edge emitting element maintains the benefit of providing one or more generally larger surfaces from which heat may be extracted and/or dissipated, while providing an alternative for output directionality.
- light generated by the edge emitting element is emitted via an emitting edge thereof, which is, in this embodiment, configured to redirect the light toward a nominally non-emitting surface to be emitted therefrom.
- an edge emitting element can be the specific device that emits the radiation, for example a LED die, and can equally be used to define a combination of the specific device that emits the radiation together with a housing or package within which the specific device or devices are placed (e.g., including heat extractors such as heatsinks, driving electrodes, waveguiding structures, reflective coatings and/or structures, etc.).
- an edge emitting element may comprise one edge emitting element or a combination of such edge emitting elements integrally or operatively coupled in a given configuration or array, for example, an edge emitting layer of a layered light-emitting structure or device comprised of two or more edge emitting elements.
- each heat extractor comprises a heat sink, namely a metal plate or structure (e.g., copper, aluminium, aluminium nitride, copper-tungsten, etc.), thermally coupled to one or more of the non-emitting surfaces (or portion thereof) of one or more edge emitting elements.
- Each heat sink may further be thermally coupled to a heat sinking base, the latter optionally thermally coupling each heat extractor of a given edge emitting element, a given light-emitting layer, a given array or group of edge emitting elements or a given stacked light-emitting structure.
- the heat sinking base may further act as a support for the edge emitting elements in the light source (e.g., see Figure 1).
- the heat sinking base may also lead to a further heat management system, such as an active cooling system, to further control and maintain operation of the edge emitting elements at a desired and/or optimal operating temperature.
- each heat extractor may be operated independently, or in subgroups, depending on the specific design and operational requirements of the given light source.
- the person of skill in the art will readily understand that a number of heat extraction and dissipation means may be used as heat extractors in the present context without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure. Namely, various types and/or combinations of heat extractors may be considered to provide heat transfer from the non-emitting surfaces of the edge emitting elements to the ambient or to an associated passive and/or active cooling system.
- heat extractors may include, but are not limited to, various types of heat sink, thermal electric cooler, forced air system, heat pipe(s), fluid cooled systems such as macro channel or micro channel coolers and other similar heat extraction and/or dissipation systems such as a passive and/or active cooling system(s) operatively and/or thermally coupled to, or integrated within, a heat extracting structure of the edge emitting elements.
- a heat extractor may support one or more conductive traces which are electrically isolated from the main material of the heat extractor. Electrical energy may thus be supplied to the edge emitting element via the conductive trace and the heat extractor. Examples of conductive traces can be seen in Figures 15 A and 15B, for example.
- a substantially flat heat extractor 1208 carries an edge emitting element 1202 having an upper metallic surface contact 1230.
- the upper metallic surface contact 1230 is wire bonded 1232 to a conductive trace 1234 on a thermally conductive but electrically insulating layer 1236 disposed at a heat dissipation end 1238 of the heat extractor 1208.
- a stepped heat extractor 1208' carries an edge emitting element 1202' having an upper metallic ridge contact 1230'.
- the upper metallic ridge contact 1230' is wire bonded 1232' to a conductive trace 1234' on a thermally conductive but electrically insulating layer 1236' disposed at a heat dissipation end 1238' of the heat extractor 1208'.
- the heat extractor could be an electrically insulating material, such as a ceramic, with good thermal conductivity. In this case two traces could be used for each edge emitting element.
- each edge emitting element of a given light source may be combined, using appropriate output optics, to provide a desired optical effect.
- the outputs of the various edge emitting elements may be combined in a number of ways to provide a patterned output, a collimated output, an output of a selected colour or chromaticity ⁇ e.g., via a red, green and blue (RGB) mixing, a red, amber, green and blue (RAGB) mixing, etc.), a variable intensity or chromaticity output ⁇ e.g., via variable driving means and/or output optics), or the like.
- RGB red, green and blue
- RAGB red, amber, green and blue
- the light source comprises edge emitting elements that provide two or more output spectra/colours.
- a light source having a red edge emitting element, a green edge emitting element and a blue edge emitting element may be considered ⁇ e.g., see Figures 1, 5 and 11).
- the respective coloured outputs of the different edge emitting elements can be collected and mixed via a suitable optical means ⁇ e.g., reflector(s), lens(es), collimator(s), diffuser(s), optical filter(s), etc.) to provide a combined output spectrum, namely a desired chromaticity.
- the desired output is white light generated from the combination of red, green and blue outputs.
- the light source comprises edge emitting elements that provide four or more output spectra/colours.
- the light source may comprise four edge emitting elements, or groups, arrays or layers thereof, having different output spectra/colours, namely for example red, amber, green and blue (e.g., see Figure 3).
- the coloured outputs of the respective edge emitting elements can be collected and mixed via a suitable optical means to provide a combined output spectrum, such as white light.
- the light source may comprise one or more arrays of edge emitting elements, each array having a respective general output spectrum or wavelength.
- the edge emitting elements may be stacked in a configuration to provide, between every two heat extractors, two or more edge emitting elements that, depending on the application for which the light source is developed, may be configured to emit light having a substantially same or similar output spectrum.
- each edge emitting element of a given light-emitting layer provides a substantially same or similar output spectrum.
- three light-emitting layers are provided to respectively produce light of red, green and blue colours (e.g, see Figures 1, 5 and 11).
- four light-emitting layers are provided to respectively produce light of red, amber, green and blue colours (e.g., see Figures 3 and 6).
- light produced by a given light-emitting layer is collected and mixed with light produced by the other light-emitting layers to produce a combined optical effect.
- Collection and mixing of light produced by individual edge emitting elements and/or light-emitting layers may be provided by a combination of optical means such as reflectors, filters, lenses, collimators, diffusers, and the like.
- the respective emission spectra of a plurality of edge emitting elements are overlapped such that a combined output of the edge emitting elements forms a continuous non-zero spectrum over a wavelength range which is wide in comparison to the wavelength range of a single edge emitting element, for example.
- the combined output may span, for example, from substantially blue to red wavelengths, provided, for example, from two, three, four or more individual output spectra.
- optical devices and components may be used within, or in conjunction with, the various embodiments of the disclosed light source, to provide a desired effect.
- stacked and/or staggered filter combinations may be used to adequately combine and mix the various coloured outputs of the edge emitting elements.
- Various reflector configurations may also be considered, namely to collect and redirect light emitted from each edge emitting element, or group, array or layer thereof.
- reflectors may be planar, conical, parabolic, compound parabolic, asymmetric compound parabolic, horn shaped, polygonal section, and/or a combination thereof, or of other such forms known in the art.
- collimators, lenses and the like may be used to shape and redirect the light source output, while diffusers and the like may be used to mix and diffuse the various outputs.
- various optical manipulations of the light output from the various edge emitting elements may also be provided via various structural and/or configurational attributes of the edge emitting elements or light-emitting layers themselves.
- various reflective and anti- reflective coatings may be applied to these elements (e.g., to non-emitting surfaces and/or light-emitting edges) to redirect light emitted therefrom in accordance with a desired output directionality.
- Etched and/or integrated micro-mirror, lens and/or waveguiding structures may also be associated or provided with individual elements/layers.
- a diffuser may be applied directly to an optical component of the light source.
- wavelength conversion material may be coated on the one or more light-emitting edges of the one or more edge emitting elements.
- a wavelength conversion material may be coated on reflecting optics, diffusers and/or encapsulants of a given embodiment.
- the light source also comprises driving means for driving the one or more edge emitting elements to emit light, either in accordance with a substantially same or similar emission spectrum for all edge emitting elements, or in accordance with respective emission spectra for each edge emitting element or subgroup thereof.
- the driving means can be configured to apply a potential difference across the various edge emitting elements of the light source. This potential difference is generally applied between two nominally non-emitting surfaces of the edge emitting element, for example, the surfaces thermally coupled to respective heat extractors.
- the driving means is configured to apply a driving voltage to each edge emitting element via the heat extractors thermally coupled thereto. For instance, in an embodiment wherein each edge emitting element is operated individually, a given edge emitting element may be driven by a voltage applied directly between the two heat extractors of this given edge emitting element.
- the edge emitting elements may be driven by a voltage applied between the two outermost heat extractors, providing a stack of light-emitting layers operated in series.
- each light-emitting layer within a given stacked light-emitting device is to be operated independently, then leads may be integrated between each light-emitting layer and their respective heat extractor layers using a thin layer of electrically insulating material that has a high thermal conductivity. This configuration would allow for proper heat dissipation from each light-emitting layer to their respective heat extractor layers, while maintaining electrical isolation for each light-emitting layer.
- a light source could comprise multiple stacks, and each stack could comprise a different emission wavelength.
- Each stack could be driven in series, for example, and driven independently or interdependently of the others.
- edge emitting elements between a same pair of heat extractors could be driven in parallel.
- Example driving configurations which may allow the edge emitting elements of a given light source to be driven independently, as a group, or in various subgroups or combinations, are depicted in Figures 16A to 16D. Other such configurations should be apparent to the person of skill in the art and are thus not considered to depart from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.
- the light source may further comprise an optional feedback system ⁇ e.g., see Figure 9), wherein an output of the light source may be monitored, either directly or indirectly, and voltages driving the individual edge emitting elements, or arrays or combinations thereof, adjusted accordingly via respective drivers to control and maintain a desired output.
- a feedback system may be used, for instance, to maintain a desired output (e.g., colour, chromaticity, intensity, power, luminous flux output, etc.) despite fluctuations in the outputs of individual edge emitting elements (e.g., output power, peak wavelength, spectral broadening, etc.) due to ageing, temperature variations and the like, and despite interference from other sources.
- the feedback system may be configured to monitor output characteristics of the light source (e.g., output spectrum, chromaticity, colour quality (CQS), colour rendering index (CRI), luminous efficacy, etc.) and adjust, when needed, the driving voltages, currents, etc. , of each edge emitting element, or group, array or layer thereof, to adjust their output and thereby control the combined output of the light source.
- output characteristics of the light source e.g., output spectrum, chromaticity, colour quality (CQS), colour rendering index (CRI), luminous efficacy, etc.
- the optional feedback system may be configured to adjust various components of the output optics (e.g., reflectance of filters, positioning of reflectors/lenses, etc.) to adjust the optical output while maintaining a substantially constant driving of the light source's various edge emitting elements.
- various components of the output optics e.g., reflectance of filters, positioning of reflectors/lenses, etc.
- other similar feedback systems may be considered to provide a like effect, and as such, should not be considered to depart from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.
- the light source 100 generally comprises three edge emitting elements, as in elements 102, and a number of heat extractors thermally coupled thereto, as in extractors 108. It will be appreciated that more or less edge emitting elements may be considered in the present example, the number thereof depicted in Figures 1 and 2 being examples only.
- the stacked light-emitting structure defined by the edge emitting elements and heat extractors is generally disposed along an axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the light source 100, that is perpendicular to a general output axis thereof.
- Optical means such as reflectors 116 are also provided to collect, mix and redirect light emitted by the edge emitting elements 102 to provide a desired optical output along that optical axis.
- Driving means (not shown) are also provided to drive the edge emitting elements.
- each edge emitting element comprises two respective light-emitting edges, as in edges 120, and two larger non-emitting surfaces, as in surfaces 122, from which heat may be extracted and dissipated via the heat extractors
- light is generated within active area 124 of the edge emitting element. Guiding of the emission to the emitting edges 120 can occur, for example, via coatings 127 along the upper and lower edges of the edge emitting element, and also via coatings on the two larger non emitting surfaces 122.
- the heat extractors 108 comprise heat sinks, namely metal plates or structures (e.g., copper, aluminium, aluminium nitride, copper-tungsten etc.), each thermally coupling the adjacent non- emitting surfaces 122 of adjacent edge emitting elements 102.
- the heat extractors are also mutually thermally coupled to a heat sinking base 125 and extension 126, the latter of which providing a support for the edge emitting elements in the light source 100.
- the heat sinking base 125 may also lead to a further heat management system, such as an active and/or passive cooling system, to further control and maintain operation of the edge emitting elements at a desired or optimal operating temperature.
- thermally and or electrically distinct heat extractors for each edge emitting element may also be considered without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.
- the light source 100 also comprises driving means (not shown) for driving the edge emitting elements.
- the edge emitting elements emit light at respective wavelengths, generally in accordance with respective emission spectra.
- the light source 100 is comprised of three edge emitting elements 102, namely a red edge emitting element, a green edge emitting element and a blue edge emitting element, the respective outputs of which being collected and mixed via the reflectors 116 to provide a combined output spectrum, in this example optionally providing white light.
- the light source 100 is configured to include three or more arrays or layers of edge emitting elements, namely respective arrays or layers of red, green and blue edge emitting elements.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a light source 200, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, that generally comprises four edge emitting elements, as in element 202, and a number of heat extractors thermally coupled thereto, as in extractors 208.
- the stacked light-emitting structure defined by the edge emitting elements and heat extractors is generally disposed along an optical axis of the light source 200, that is a general output axis thereof.
- Optical means such as reflectors 216, and diffuser 219, are also provided to collect, mix and redirect light emitted by the edge emitting elements 202 to provide a desired optical output along that optical axis.
- Driving means (not shown) are also provided to drive the edge emitting elements.
- each edge emitting element comprises two respective light-emitting edges, as in edges 220, and two larger non-emitting surfaces, as in surface 222, from which heat may be extracted and dissipated via the heat extractors 208.
- the light source 200 also comprises driving means (not shown) for driving the edge emitting elements.
- the edge emitting elements emit light at respective wavelengths, generally in accordance with respective emission spectra.
- the light source 200 is comprised of four edge emitting elements 202, namely a red edge emitting element, an amber edge emitting element, a green edge emitting element and a blue edge emitting element, the respective outputs of which being collected and mixed via reflectors 216 and diffuser 219 to provide a combined output spectrum, in this example optionally providing white light.
- the light source 200 may comprise four or more arrays or layers of edge emitting elements, namely respective arrays or layers of red, amber, green and blue edge emitting elements, to provide a similar effect.
- Figure 4 illustrates a light source 300, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, that generally comprises one edge emitting element 302, or a linear array thereof, and a pair of heat extractors thermally coupled thereto, as in extractor 308.
- Optical means such as reflectors 316, lens 317 and diffuser 319, are also provided to collect, mix and redirect light emitted by the edge emitting element 302 to provide a desired optical output.
- Driving means are also provided, namely through base 330, to drive the edge emitting element 302.
- the volume enclosed by lens 317 can be filled with an encapsulant, for example.
- the volume between the heat extractors 308 which is not occupied by the edge emitting element 302 may optionally contain a thermally conductive ceramic for improved heat extraction, for example..
- the edge emitting element 302 comprises a light-emitting edge 320 and two larger non-emitting surfaces 322 from which heat may be extracted and dissipated via the heat extractors 308.
- the heat extractors 308 comprise a pair of heat sinks, namely metal plates or structures (e.g., copper, aluminium, aluminium nitride, copper-tungsten etc.), thermally coupling the non-emitting surfaces 322 of edge emitting element 302 with a heat sinking base 325.
- the heat extractors 308 and/or heat sinking base 325 may be thermally coupled to a further heat management system, such as an active and/or passive cooling system, to further control and maintain operation of the edge emitting element 302 at a desired or optimal operating temperature.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a light source 400, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, that generally comprises three edge emitting elements, as in elements 402, each one of which is thermally coupled between a pair of heat extractors, as in extractor 408.
- Optical means such as reflectors 416, lens 417 and diffuser 419, are also provided to collect, mix and redirect light emitted by the edge emitting elements
- Driving means are also provided, namely through base 430, to drive the edge emitting element 402
- each edge emitting element comprises a respective light- emitting edge, as in edges 420, and two larger non-emitting surfaces, as in surfaces 422, from which heat may be extracted and dissipated via the heat extractors 408.
- the heat extractors 408 comprise heat sinks, namely metal plates or structures (e.g., copper, aluminium, aluminium nitride, copper-tungsten etc.), each pair of which thermally coupling the non-emitting surfaces 422 of respective edge emitting elements 402 to a heat sinking base 425.
- the heat extractors 408 and/or heat sinking base 425 may be thermally coupled to a further heat management system, such as an active and/or passive cooling system, to further control and maintain operation of the edge emitting elements 402 at a desired or optimal operating temperature.
- a further heat management system such as an active and/or passive cooling system
- the light source 400 also comprises driving means ⁇ e.g., provided via base 430) for driving the edge emitting elements 402.
- the edge emitting elements 402 emit light at respective wavelengths, generally in accordance with respective emission spectra.
- the light source 400 is comprised of three edge emitting elements 402, namely a red edge emitting element, a green edge emitting element and a blue edge emitting element, the respective outputs of which being collected and mixed via reflectors 416, lens 417 and diffuser 419 to provide a combined output spectrum, in this example optionally providing white light.
- the edge emitting elements may be driven independently of each other, for example, as facilitated by the separation between heat extractors of neighbouring edge emitting elements.
- a plurality of edge emitting elements in each colour could be provided, the elements of a given colour all being positioned, for example, between a same pair of heat extractors. In general, this could provide for arrangement the edge emitting elements in a 2D array.
- Figure 6 illustrates a stacked light-emitting structure 500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- the stacked light-emitting structure 500 is generally for use in a light source having driving means therefor, as in light sources 100, 200, 300 and 400 of Figures 1 and 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively, and other such light sources, and generally comprises four edge emitting elements, as in elements 502, and a number of heat extractors thermally coupled thereto, as in extractors 508.
- each edge emitting element comprises one respective light-emitting edge, as in edge 520, and two larger non-emitting surfaces, as in surface 522, from which heat may be extracted and dissipated via the heat extractors 508.
- the edges opposite light-emitting edges 520 are each coated with a reflective coating 521, thereby operatively increasing respective emissions from edges 520.
- An anti-reflection coating may also be provided on edges 520 to further increase an emission efficiency thereof.
- the heat extractors 508 comprise heat sinks, namely metal plates or structures (e.g., copper, aluminium, aluminium nitride, copper-tungsten etc.), each thermally coupling the adjacent non-emitting surfaces 522 of adjacent edge emitting elements.
- the heat extractors may comprise heat pipes or macrochannel coolers or the like to provide a similar effect.
- the heat extractors may be configured to lead to a further heat management system, such as an active and/or passive cooling system, to further control and maintain operation of the edge emitting elements at a desired or optimal operating temperature.
- a further heat management system such as an active and/or passive cooling system
- the light-emitting structure 600 may also comprise integrated output optical means, such as integrated lens 617 or the like (illustrated as partially cut away herein to identify edge emitting elements disposed there behind), to combine and/or redirect light emitted by the edge emitting elements of light-emitting layer 602.
- integrated output optical means such as integrated lens 617 or the like (illustrated as partially cut away herein to identify edge emitting elements disposed there behind), to combine and/or redirect light emitted by the edge emitting elements of light-emitting layer 602.
- Figure 8 illustrates a 2 dimensionally stacked light-emitting structure 700 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- the stacked light- emitting structure 700 is generally for use in a light source having driving means therefor, as in light sources 100, 200, 300 and 400 of Figures 1 and 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively, and other such light sources, and generally comprises two or more layered arrays of edge emitting elements, namely forming light-emitting layers 702, 704, etc. , and a number of heat extractors thermally coupled thereto, namely forming heat extractor layers 708, 710, 712, etc.
- each edge emitting element comprises one respective light- emitting edge, as in edges 720, and two larger non-emitting surfaces, as in surfaces 722, from which heat may be extracted and dissipated via the heat extractor layers 708, 710, 712, etc.
- the edges opposite light-emitting edges 720 are each coated with a reflective coating, thereby operatively increasing respective emissions from edges 720.
- An anti- reflection coating may also be provided on edges 720 to further increase an emission efficiency thereof.
- the heat extractor layers 708, 710, 712, etc. are comprised of heat sinks or the like, each thermally coupling the adjacent non- emitting surfaces 722 of adjacent edge emitting layers 702, 704, etc.
- the edge emitting elements of the stacked light-emitting structure 700 emit light at respective wavelengths, generally in accordance with respective emission spectra.
- the stacked light-emitting structure 700 is comprised of two or more light-emitting layers 702, 704, etc., each respectively emitting light at a given wavelength.
- various effects such as colour mixing, beam shaping, and temporally changing patterns, to name a few, may be generated.
- each light-emitting layer may be configured to emit light in accordance with a substantially same or similar emission spectrum. Such a configuration may be useful when combining in a single light source different stacked light-emitting structures having different emission spectra, or again when a single wavelength or common spectrum light source is desired.
- EXAMPLE 8 EXAMPLE 8:
- edge emitting element 1170 of a larger nominally non-emitting surface 1180 of the edge emitting element 1102 adjoining this edge Accordingly, light can be emitted from the edge emitting element
- a light source 1500 comprising three edge emitting elements 1502, the respective outputs of which being directed to wavelength selective reflectors 1590 for combining these outputs. It will be appreciated that this principle, as depicted in Figure 18, may be applied to other numbers of edge emitting elements and other array configuration, such as for example, 2D arrays.
Abstract
Description
Claims
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JP2009521079A JP2009545107A (en) | 2006-07-28 | 2007-07-27 | Light source with edge emitting elements |
CN2007800283850A CN101496184B (en) | 2006-07-28 | 2007-07-27 | Light source comprising edge emitting elements |
MX2009001039A MX2009001039A (en) | 2006-07-28 | 2007-07-27 | Light source comprising edge emitting elements. |
EP07785004A EP2050145A4 (en) | 2006-07-28 | 2007-07-27 | Light source comprising edge emitting elements |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN101496184B (en) | 2012-06-20 |
RU2437188C2 (en) | 2011-12-20 |
CN101496184A (en) | 2009-07-29 |
BRPI0715105A2 (en) | 2013-06-04 |
US20080025047A1 (en) | 2008-01-31 |
RU2009107144A (en) | 2010-09-20 |
KR20090048611A (en) | 2009-05-14 |
JP2009545107A (en) | 2009-12-17 |
EP2050145A4 (en) | 2009-09-02 |
MX2009001039A (en) | 2009-03-25 |
US7850347B2 (en) | 2010-12-14 |
EP2050145A1 (en) | 2009-04-22 |
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