Led lighting arrangement including light emitting phosphor

Abstract

An optical component for an LED lighting arrangement comprises a mixture of a transparent material and one or more photoluminescent (phosphor) materials. The phosphor material has the property of emitting photoluminescent light when illuminated by light of a wavelength range 300 to 500 nm. The transparent material comprises a silicone or an epoxy. The mixture of the transparent material and the phosphor material can be provided as a layer on at least a part of a surface of the component. In some embodiments the component has a concave and/or convex surface and the layer containing the phosphor material is provided on at least a part of these surfaces.

1 . An optical component comprising:
 a mixture of a transparent material and at least one photoluminescent material; the at least one photoluminescent material having a property of emitting photoluminescent light when illuminated by light of a wavelength range 300 to 500 nm for exciting the at least one photoluminescent material and   wherein the transparent material comprises a silicone or an epoxy.   
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of the transparent material and at least one photoluminescent material is provided as a layer on at least a part of a surface of the component. 
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the component has a concave surface and wherein the layer containing the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the concave surface. 
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the component has a convex surface and wherein the layer containing the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the convex surface. 
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the component comprises a substantially spherical shell and wherein the layer containing the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the inner or outer surfaces of the component. 
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the component comprises a hollow cylinder and wherein the layer containing the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the inner or outer surfaces of the component. 
     
     
         7 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the component comprises a substantially hemispherical shell and wherein the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the inner or outer surfaces of the component. 
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the layer of the at least one photoluminescent material has a thickness in the range of 20 to 500 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of the transparent material and at least one photoluminescent material is provided on the component using a deposition approach selected from the group consisting of: spraying; printing; painting; spin coating; and tape casting. 
     
     
         10 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of: a lens; an optical window and a waveguide. 
     
     
         11 . The component of  claim 1 , and further comprising a light diffusing material. 
     
     
         12 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the light diffusing material is provided in a separate layer from the at least one photoluminescent material. 
     
     
         13 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the light diffusing material is incorporated with the at least one photoluminescent material in a layer. 
     
     
         14 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the light diffusing material is selected from the group consisting of: titanium dioxide; silica, alumina; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one photoluminescent material is selected from the group consisting of: a YAG-based phosphor; a silicate-based phosphor; a nitride-based phosphor; a sulfate-based phosphor; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . An LED lighting arrangement, comprising:
 at least one LED; and   an optical component comprising a mixture of a transparent material and at least one photoluminescent material; the at least one photoluminescent material having a property of emitting photoluminescent light when illuminated by light of a wavelength range 300 to 500 nm for exciting the at least one photoluminescent material; and   wherein the transparent material comprises a silicone or an epoxy.   
     
     
         17 . The lighting arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the mixture of the transparent material and at least one photoluminescent material is provided as a layer on at least a part of a surface of the component. 
     
     
         18 . The lighting arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the component has a concave surface and wherein the layer containing the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the concave surface. 
     
     
         19 . The lighting arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the component has a convex surface and wherein the layer containing the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the convex surface. 
     
     
         20 . The lighting arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the component comprises a substantially spherical shell and wherein the layer containing the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the inner or outer surfaces of the component. 
     
     
         21 . The lighting arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the component comprises a hollow cylinder and wherein the layer containing the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the inner or outer surfaces of the component. 
     
     
         22 . The lighting arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the component comprises a substantially hemispherical shell and wherein the at least one photoluminescent material is provided on at least a part of the inner or outer surfaces of the component. 
     
     
         23 . The lighting arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the layer of the at least one photoluminescent material has a thickness in the range of 20 to 500 μm.