Lighting system including collimators aligned with light emitting segments
View Patent ↗A light source comprising a semiconductor light emitting device is connected to a mount. The light emitting device comprises a plurality of segments with neighboring segments spaced less than 200 microns apart. In some embodiments, multiple segments are grown on a single growth substrate. Each segment comprises a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. A spacer is positioned on a top surface of the mount. The light emitting device is positioned in an opening in the spacer. A plurality of collimators is attached to the spacer, wherein each collimator is aligned with a single segment.
1. A structure comprising:
a light source comprising a light emitting device connected to a mount, the light emitting device comprising a plurality of segments wherein neighboring segments are spaced less than 200 microns apart, each segment comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region;
a spacer positioned on a top surface of the mount, wherein the light emitting device is positioned in an opening in the spacer; and
a plurality of collimators attached to the spacer, wherein each collimator is aligned with a single segment.
2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the mount is configured such that at least two segments may be independently activated.
3. The structure of claim 1 wherein a bottom surface of each collimator is spaced apart from a top surface of the segment corresponding to each collimator.
4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the top surface of at least one segment is a top surface of a wavelength converting element disposed over the III-nitride light emitting layer.
5. The structure of claim 3 wherein a space between the bottom surface of each collimator and the top surface of the segment corresponding to each collimator is less than 50 microns.
6. The structure of claim 1 wherein the spacer is attached to the top surface of the mount by an adhesive.
7. The structure of claim 1 wherein the spacer comprises silicone molded over a top surface of the mount.
8. The structure of claim 1 wherein neighboring collimators are spaced apart from each other.
9. The structure of claim 1 wherein neighboring collimators are spaced apart from each other by one of a ball and a wire.
10. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least two segments are grown on a single growth substrate.
11. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a reflective surface disposed adjacent a sidewall of the light emitting device.
12. The structure of claim 11 wherein the spacer is attached to the reflective surface.
13. The structure of claim 1 further comprising an optic, wherein the collimators are disposed between the optic and the light source.
14. The structure of claim 1 wherein the light emitting layer is a III-nitride layer.
15. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one segment is divided into a plurality of junctions, wherein the mount is configured such that least two junctions in the plurality may be independently activated.
16. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one collimator comprises:
a first sidewall that is perpendicular to a top face of a segment; and
a second sidewall that is angled at an acute angle relative to a plane perpendicular to a top face of the segment.
17. The structure of claim 16 wherein the at least one collimator further comprises:
an input face proximate to the top face of the segment; and
an output face opposite the input face, wherein the output face is not parallel to the input face.
18. A method comprising:
spacing a top surface of a light source a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of a plurality of collimators;
wherein:
the light source comprises a light emitting device connected to a mount, the light emitting device comprising a plurality of segments wherein neighboring segments are spaced less than 200 microns apart, each segment comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region;
each collimator in the plurality of collimators is aligned with a single segment;
the plurality of collimators are attached to a spacer positioned on a top surface of the mount; and
the light emitting device is positioned in an opening in the spacer.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein spacing a top surface of the light source a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the plurality of collimators comprises registering a surface on the spacer with a top surface of the mount.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein spacing a top surface of the light source a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the plurality of collimators comprises registering a surface on the spacer with a top surface of a reflective structure disposed adjacent a sidewall of the light emitting device.