Detecting damage to a converter device

1. A method for detecting damage to a converter device of a lighting apparatus, the method comprising:

irradiating the converter device with input light, wherein the converter device is arranged directly on a transparent heat sink; wherein the transparent heat sink comprises at least a first sensor element and a second sensor element arranged on end sides of the heat sink; and wherein the input light is incident on the converter device through the transparent heat sink;

detecting a useful light portion emitted principally by a first section of the converter device by means of the first sensor element, wherein a first detection signal is obtained,

detecting a useful light portion emitted principally by a second section of the converter device, said second section being different than the first section, by means of the second sensor element, wherein a second detection signal is obtained, and

obtaining damage information about the converter device from a ratio or a difference of the first detection signal with respect to either the second detection signal or a comparison signal formed therefrom.

2. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein, by means of at least one third sensor element, a third useful light portion emitted principally by a third section of the converter device, said third section being different than the other sections, is detected with a third detection signal being obtained and the comparison signal is formed from the detection signals.

3. The method of claim 2 ,

wherein the comparison signal is an average value.

4. The method of claim 2 ,

wherein location data of the sensor elements are taken into account during the process of obtaining, such that the damage information is location-dependent.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each sensor element in each case comprises a first and a second sensor component and a first wavelength is detectable by means of the first sensor component and a second wavelength of the useful light, said second wavelength being different than the first wavelength, is detectable by means of the second sensor component.

6. A lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light source, and

a converter device, which is irradiated with input light by the light source during operation, for generating useful light, wherein the converter device is arranged directly on a transparent heat sink; wherein the transparent heat sink comprises at least a first sensor element and a second sensor element arranged on end sides of the converter device; and wherein the input light is incident on the converter device through the transparent heat sink;

wherein the first sensor element is configured to detect a useful light portion of the useful light emitted principally by a first section of the converter device, wherein a first detection signal is obtained,

wherein the second sensor element is configured to detect a useful light portion of the useful light emitted principally by a second section of the converter device, said second section being different than the first section, wherein a second detection signal is obtained, and

a signal processing device for obtaining damage information about the converter device from a ratio or a difference of the first detection signal with respect to either the second detection signal or a comparison signal formed therefrom.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 6 ,

wherein the transparent heat sink is formed from sapphire.

8. The lighting apparatus of claim 6 ,

wherein the transparent heat sink comprises, on its first main side facing the light source, a first dichroic mirror, which is transmissive for the input light and reflective for light converted by the converter element, or an antireflection coating.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 8 ,

wherein the transparent heat sink comprises, on its second main side facing the converter element and situated opposite the first main side, a second dichroic mirror, which is transmissive for the input light and reflective for light converted by the converter element, and wherein the second dichroic mirror has a cutout through which, during operation, part of the converted light penetrates into the transparent heat sink and is guided to the sensor elements.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 9 ,

wherein the cutout is ring-shaped and is completely covered by the converter element.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 6 ,

wherein the converter element comprises a ceramic plate or a silicone matrix comprising phosphor.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the obtaining damage information about the converter device occurs automatically.

13. The lighting device of claim 6 , wherein the obtaining damage information about the converter device occurs automatically.