Light-emitting apparatus including photoluminescent layer

Abstract

A light-emitting apparatus includes; a light-emitting device including a photoluminescent layer that receives excitation light and emits light including first light having a wavelength λa in air, and a light-transmissive layer located on or near the photoluminescent layer; and an optical fiber that receives the light from the photoluminescent layer at one end of the optical fiber and emits the received light from the other end thereof. A surface structure is defined on at least one of the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer, and the surface structure has projections or recesses or both and limits a directional angle of the first light having the wavelength λa in air.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:
 a light-emitting device including a photoluminescent layer that receives excitation light and emits light including first light having a wavelength λ a  in air, and a light-transmissive layer located on or near the photoluminescent layer; and 
 an optical fiber that receives the light from the photoluminescent layer at one end of the optical fiber and emits the received light from the other end thereof, wherein  
 wherein a surface structure is defined on at least one of the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer, and 
 the surface structure has projections or recesses or both with a shorter period than the wavelength λ a  in air and limits a directional angle of the first light having the wavelength λ a  in air. 
 
     
     
       2. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the light-emitting device includes a first emission region that emits light in a green wavelength band in a direction perpendicular to the photoluminescent layer and a second emission region that emits light in a blue wavelength band in a direction perpendicular to the photoluminescent layer. 
 
     
     
       3. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the light-emitting device further includes 
 another photoluminescent layer that receives the excitation light and emits light including second light having a wavelength λ b  in air, and 
 another light-transmissive layer located on or near the other photoluminescent layer, wherein the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer constitute a first emission region that emits the light including the first light from the photoluminescent layer in a direction perpendicular to the photoluminescent layer, 
 the wavelength λ a  in air is in the green wavelength band, 
 the other photoluminescent layer and the other light-transmissive layer constitute a second emission region that emits the light including the second light from the other photoluminescent layer in a direction perpendicular to the other photoluminescent layer, the wavelength λ b  in air is in a blue wavelength band, 
 another surface structure is defined on at least one of the other photoluminescent layer and the other light-transmissive layer, and 
 the other surface structure has projections or recesses or both and limits a directional angle of the second light having the wavelength λ b  in air. 
 
     
     
       4. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first emission region and the second emission region are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the photoluminescent layer. 
     
     
       5. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the light-emitting device includes an emission region that emits light in a green wavelength band in a direction perpendicular to the photoluminescent layer, and 
 the excitation light is light in a blue wavelength band, and part of the excitation light passes perpendicularly through the photoluminescent layer. 
 
     
     
       6. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer constitute an first emission region that emits the light including the first light from the photoluminescent layer in a direction perpendicular to the photoluminescent layer, and 
 the wavelength λ a  in air is in the green wavelength band. 
 
     
     
       7. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the blue wavelength band ranges from 430 to 470 nm, and 
 the green wavelength band ranges from 500 to 570 nm. 
 
     
     
       8. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent layer is in contact with the light-transmissive layer. 
     
     
       9. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a center-to-center distance D int  between two adjacent projections or two adjacent recesses in the surface structure and a refractive index n wav-a  of the photoluminescent layer for the first light satisfy λ a /n wav-a <D int <λ a . 
     
     
       10. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface structure includes at least one periodic structure, and a period p a  of the at least one periodic structure and a refractive index n wav-a  of the photoluminescent layer for the first light satisfy λ a /n wav-a < Pa <λ a  λ a /n wav-a <p a <λ a . 
     
     
       11. An endoscope comprising:
 the light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and 
 an imaging device that receives the light emitted by the optical fiber and reflected by an object, and outputs an electric signal depending on the amount of the received light. 
 
     
     
       12. The endoscope according to  claim 11 , further comprising an insert, wherein the light-emitting device and the imaging device are provided in the insert. 
     
     
       13. The endoscope according to  claim 11 , further comprising an optical system that faces an imaging plane of the imaging device and converge the light emitted by the optical fiber and reflected by an object onto the imaging plane. 
     
     
       14. An endoscope system comprising:
 the endoscope according to  claim 11 ; 
 a processor that is electrically connected to the imaging device in the endoscope and outputs an image signal based on the electric signal; and 
 a display unit that is electrically connected to the processor and displays an image based on the image signal. 
 
     
     
       15. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface structure includes at least one periodic structure having a period that allows an electric field to be formed in the photoluminescent layer, in which a period of maximum amplitude of the electric field is the same as the period of the at least one periodic structure. 
     
     
       16. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent layer has a thickness that allows a quasi-guided mode to be formed within the photoluminescent layer. 
     
     
       17. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the light-transmissive layer and the photoluminescent layer is equal to or less than λ a /2. 
     
     
       18. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:
 an excitation light source that outputs excitation light; 
 an optical fiber that receives the excitation light from the excitation light source at one end of the optical fiber and emits the received excitation light from the other end thereof; and 
 a light emitting device including a photoluminescent layer that receives the excitation light emitted from the optical fiber and emits light including first light having a wavelength λ a  in air, and a light-transmissive layer located on or near the photoluminescent layer, wherein  
 wherein a surface structure is defined on at least one of the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer, and 
 the surface structure has projections or recesses or both with a shorter period than the wavelength λ a  in air and limits a directional angle of the first light having the wavelength λ a  in air. 
 
     
     
       19. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the surface structure includes at least one periodic structure having a period that allows an electric field to be formed in the photoluminescent layer, in which a period of maximum amplitude of the electric field is the same as the period of the at least one periodic structure. 
     
     
       20. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the photoluminescent layer has a thickness that allows a quasi-guided mode to be formed within the photoluminescent layer. 
     
     
       21. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein a distance between the light-transmissive layer and the photoluminescent layer is equal to or less than λ a /2. 
     
     
       22. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:
 a light-emitting device including a light-transmissive layer and a photoluminescent layer that receives excitation light and emits light including first light having a wavelength λ a  in air; and 
 at least one of (a) a first optical fiber that receives the light from the photoluminescent layer at one end of the first optical fiber and emits the received light from the other end thereof and or (b) a second optical fiber that receives the excitation light from an excitation light source at one end of the second optical fiber and emits the received excitation light from the other end thereof toward the light-emitting device, wherein  
 wherein a surface structure is defined on the light-transmissive layer, 
 the photoluminescent layer is located on or near the surface structure, and 
 the surface structure has projections or recesses or both with a shorter period than the wavelength λ a  in air and limits a directional angle of the first light having the wavelength λ a  in air. 
 
     
     
       23. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the surface structure includes at least one periodic structure having a period that allows an electric field to be formed in the photoluminescent layer, in which a period of maximum amplitude of the electric field is the same as the period of the at least one periodic structure. 
     
     
       24. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein a distance between the surface structure and the photoluminescent layer is equal to or less than λ a /2. 
     
     
       25. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the photoluminescent layer has a thickness that allows a quasi-guided mode to be formed within the photoluminescent layer. 
     
     
       26. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:
 a light-emitting device including a photoluminescent layer that receives excitation light and emits light including first light having a wavelength λ a  in air, and a light-transmissive layer having a higher refractive index for the first light than the photoluminescent layer; and 
 at least one of (a) a first optical fiber that receives the light from the photoluminescent layer at one end of the first optical fiber and emits the received light from the other end thereof and or (b) a second optical fiber that receives the excitation light from an excitation light source at one end of the second optical fiber and emits the received excitation light from the other end thereof toward the light-emitting device, wherein  
 wherein a surface structure is defined on the light-transmissive layer, and 
 the surface structure has projections or recesses or both with a shorter period than the wavelength λ a  in air and limits a directional angle of the first light having the wavelength λ a  in air. 
 
     
     
       27. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the surface structure includes at least one periodic structure having a period that allows an electric field to be formed in the photoluminescent layer, in which a period of maximum amplitude of the electric field is the same as the period of the at least one periodic structure. 
     
     
       28. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:
 a light-emitting device including a photoluminescent layer that receives excitation light and emits light including first light having a wavelength λ a  in air; and 
 at least one of (a) a first optical fiber that receives the light from the photo luminescent layer at one end of the first optical fiber and emits the received light from the other end thereof and or (b) a second optical fiber that receives the excitation light from an excitation light source at one end of the second optical fiber and emits the received excitation light from the other end thereof toward the light-emitting device, wherein  
 wherein a surface structure is defined on the photoluminescent layer, and 
 the surface structure has projections or recesses or both with a shorter period than the wavelength λ a  in air and limits a directional angle of the first light having the wavelength λ a  in air. 
 
     
     
       29. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the photoluminescent layer has a thickness that allows a quasi-guided mode to be formed within the photoluminescent layer. 
     
     
       30. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the surface structure includes at least one periodic structure having a period that allows an electric field to be formed in the photoluminescent layer, in which a period of maximum amplitude of the electric field is the same as the period of the at least one periodic structure. 
     
     
       31. The light-emitting apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the photoluminescent layer has a thickness that allows a quasi-guided mode to be formed within the photoluminescent layer. 
     
     
       32. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:
 an excitation light source that outputs excitation light; and   a light emitting device located on an optical path of the excitation light and the light emitting device including:   a photoluminescent layer receives the excitation light and emits light including first light having a wavelength λ a  in air; and   a light-transmissive layer located on or near the photoluminescent layer, wherein:   a surface structure is defined on at least one of the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer, and the surface structure has projections or recesses or both, and   the surface structure includes at least one periodic structure with a period p a  for limiting a directional angle of the first light having the wavelength λ a  in air, and the period p a  is shorter than the wavelength λ a  in air.   
     
     
       33. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising:
 a first light guide located on an optical path of the excitation light for receiving the excitation light at a first end of the first light guide and outputting the received excitation light from a second end of the first light guide.   
     
     
       34. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the first light guide includes an optical fiber or a light guide sheet. 
     
     
       35. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 32, the light-emitting device is adapted to a vehicle, an automobile, an airplane or an aircraft. 
     
     
       36. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 32, the light-emitting device is adapted to a projector. 
     
     
       37. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the projector includes a phosphor wheel having the light-emitting device. 
     
     
       38. A navigation image display, comprising:
 the light-emitting apparatus according to claim 35; and   a second light guide for directing light from the light-emitting device to a projection plane.   
     
     
       39. The navigation image display according to claim 38, wherein the second light guide includes a lens, a prism, a reflector, or combination thereof. 
     
     
       40. An optical sensor, comprising:
 the light-emitting apparatus according to claim 32;   an optical shutter disposed on the optical path of light emitted from the light-emitting device and is used to switch the light from the light-emitting device into a pulsed light for emitting to a body; and   a photoreceptor for receiving a reflected light of the pulsed light from the body and output an electric signal to a processor for detecting a deformation of the body or a displacement of the body.   
     
     
       41. The optical sensor according to claim 40, wherein the optical sensor is adapted to an automobile or an airplane. 
     
     
       42. A light-emitting apparatus comprising:
 an excitation light source that outputs excitation light; and   a light emitting device located on an optical path of the excitation light and the light emitting device including:   a photoluminescent layer receives the excitation light and emits light including first light having a wavelength λ a  in air; and   a light-transmissive layer located on or near the photoluminescent layer, wherein:   a surface structure is defined on at least one of the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer, and the surface structure has projections or recesses or both, and   the surface structure includes at least one periodic structure with a period p a  for limiting a directional angle of the first light having the wavelength λ a  in air, and the period p a  satisfies m×λ a /n wav-a <p a <m×λ a , wherein n wav-a  is a refractive index of the photoluminescent layer or the light-transmissive layer, and m is an integer of 1 or more.   
     
     
       43. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 42, further comprising:
 a first light guide located on an optical path of the excitation light for receiving the excitation light at a first end of the first light guide and outputting the received excitation light from a second end of the first light guide.   
     
     
       44. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the first light guide includes an optical fiber or a light guide sheet. 
     
     
       45. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 42, the light-emitting device is adapted to a vehicle, an automobile, an airplane or an aircraft. 
     
     
       46. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 42, the light-emitting device is adapted to a projector. 
     
     
       47. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the projector includes a phosphor wheel having the light-emitting device. 
     
     
       48. A navigation image display, comprising:
 the light-emitting apparatus according to claim 45; and   a second light guide for directing light from the light-emitting device to a projection plane.   
     
     
       49. The navigation image display according to claim 48, wherein the second light guide includes a lens, a prism, a reflector, or combination thereof. 
     
     
       50. An optical sensor, comprising:
 the light-emitting apparatus according to claim 42;   an optical shutter disposed on the optical path of light emitted from the light-emitting device and is used to switch the light from the light-emitting device into a pulsed light for emitting to a body; and   a photoreceptor for receiving a reflected light of the pulsed light from the body and output an electric signal to a processor for detecting a deformation of the body or a displacement of the body.   
     
     
       51. The optical sensor according to claim 50, wherein the optical sensor is adapted to an automobile or an airplane.