Multiple Light Emitter for Inactivating Microorganisms

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a multiple light emitter device which inactivates microorganisms. The device includes at least two light emitters and at least one light-converting material arranged to convert at least a portion of light from the light emitters. Any unconverted light emitted from the light emitters and converted light emitted from the at least one light-converting material mixes to form a combined light, the combined light being white. In one aspect, the light emitters include at least one blue light emitter and at least one violet light emitter. In another aspect, the light emitters include one blue light emitter and one emitter within the range of approximately yellow to infrared light.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for generating disinfecting light, the system comprising:
 a first light emitter configured to emit a first light for inactivating microorganisms comprising a first peak wavelength in a range of 380 nanometers (nm) to 420 nm;   a second light emitter configured to emit a second light towards a light-converting material, wherein the second light comprises a second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength; and   a substrate comprising the first light emitter and the second light emitter, wherein the first light and the second light combine to form the disinfecting light beyond the light-converting material, wherein the substrate comprises a light emitting diode (LED) package.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second peak wavelength is in a wavelength range of: 
 380 nm to 420 nm;   440 nm to 495 nm; or   greater than 495 nm.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light-converting material is configured to convert a portion of the second light to a third light comprising a third peak wavelength, wherein the third peak wavelength is in a wavelength range of:
 440 nm to 495 nm;   495 nm to 570 nm; or   620 nm to 750 nm.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the light-converting material contains a second light-converting material configured to convert a portion of the second light to a fourth light comprising a fourth peak wavelength, wherein the fourth peak wavelength is in a wavelength range of:
 440 nm to 495 nm;   495 nm to 570 nm; or   620 nm to 750 nm.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lens, wherein the first light emitter and the second light emitter are under the lens. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting light is disinfecting white light. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting light has a proportion of spectral energy, in a 380 nm to 420 nm wavelength range, that is greater than or equal to 10%. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first peak wavelength is 405 nm. 
     
     
         9 . A light emitting device for generating disinfecting light, the light emitting device comprising:
 a first light emitter configured to emit a first light for inactivating microorganisms comprising a first peak wavelength in a range of 380 nanometers (nm) to 420 nm;   a second light emitter configured to emit a second light comprising a second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength;   a light-converting material configured to convert a portion of the second light to a third light comprising a third peak wavelength different from the second peak wavelength; and   a substrate comprising the first light emitter and the second light emitter, wherein the first light and the second light combine to form the disinfecting light beyond the light-converting material, wherein the substrate comprises a light emitting diode (LED) package.   
     
     
         10 . The light emitting device of  claim 9 , wherein the second peak wavelength is in a wavelength range of:
 380 nm to 420 nm;   440 nm to 495 nm; or   greater than 495 nm.   
     
     
         11 . The light emitting device of  claim 9 , wherein the third peak wavelength is in a wavelength range of:
 440 nm to 495 nm;   495 nm to 570 nm; or   620 nm to 750 nm.   
     
     
         12 . The light emitting device of  claim 9 , wherein the disinfecting light has a proportion of spectral energy, in a 380 nm to 420 nm wavelength range, that is greater than or equal to 10%, and wherein the first peak wavelength is 405 nm. 
     
     
         13 . The light emitting device of  claim 9 , wherein the light-converting material contains a second light-converting material configured to convert a portion of the second light to a fourth light comprising a fourth peak wavelength, wherein the fourth peak wavelength is in a wavelength range of:
 440 nm to 495 nm;   495 nm to 570 nm; or   620 nm to 750 nm.   
     
     
         14 . The light emitting device of  claim 9 , wherein the disinfecting light is disinfecting white light. 
     
     
         15 . The light emitting device of  claim 9 , wherein the disinfecting light has a proportion of spectral energy, in a 380 nm to 420 nm wavelength range, that is greater than or equal to 10%, and wherein the first peak wavelength is 405 nm. 
     
     
         16 . A method for inactivating microorganisms using a substrate comprising a first light emitter and a second light emitter, the method comprising:
 emitting, via the first light emitter, a first light for inactivating microorganisms comprising a first peak wavelength in a range of 380 nanometers (nm) to 420 nm;   emitting, via the second light emitter, a second light comprising a second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength;   causing conversion, via a light-converting material arranged in a direct path of the second light, of a portion of the second light to a third light comprising a third peak wavelength different from the second peak wavelength; and   wherein the light passing through the light-converting material combine to form disinfecting light.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the third peak wavelength is in a wavelength range of: 
 440 nm to 495 nm;   495 nm to 570 nm; or   620 nm to 750 nm.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the disinfecting light is disinfecting white light. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the disinfecting light has a proportion of spectral energy, in a 380 nm to 420 nm wavelength range, that is greater than or equal to 10%. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first peak wavelength is 405 nm.