Compact, high-efficiency, high-power solid state light source using a single solid state light-emitting device
A compact, high-efficiency, high-power, solid state light source, comprising a high-power solid state light-emitting device, a light guide having a proximal light-receiving end proximate the light-emitting device and a distal light-transmitting end spaced farther from the light-emitting device, and a mechanical light guide fixing device coupled to the light guide near its proximal end, to hold the proximal end of the light guide in position near the light-emitting device.
1. An endoscope comprising:
a) a high-power solid state light-emitting device having a light emitting region of a semiconductor chip with a lens and coupling gel removed, and
b) a fiber optic light guide comprising
a light-receiving end and a light-transmitting end wherein the light receiving end is placed directly against the light emitting region of the light-emitting device, said light-receiving end matching the size and shape of the light-emitting region.
2. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting device is coated with a wavelength conversion phosphor.
3. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the light emitting surface of the light-emitting device is about 1 mm square.
4. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the hi-power solid state light-emitting device draws up to 5 W of power.
5. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic light guide comprises a bundle of optic fibers.
6. The endoscope of claim 5 , wherein the fibers have diameters of about 30–50 micrometers.
7. The endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising a ferrule that surrounds the fiber optic light guide.
8. The endoscope of claim 7 , wherein the ferrule is located close to but not at the light receiving end of the fiber optic light guide.
9. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting device is substantially flat.
10. The endoscope of claim 9 , wherein the light receiving end of the fiber optic light guide is flat.
11. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic light guide comprises a single glass or plastic fiber.
12. The endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising a light-emitting device battery power source.
13. An illumination device comprising:
a) a high-power solid state light-emitting device having a light emitting region of a semiconductor chip with a lens and coupling gel removed, and
b) a fiber optic light guide comprising
a light-receiving end and a light-transmitting end wherein the light receiving end is placed directly against the light emitting region of the light-emitting device, said light-receiving end matching the size and shape of the light-emitting region.
14. The illumination device of claim 13 wherein the high power light-emitting device is coated with a wavelength conversion phosphor.
15. The illumination device of claim 13 , wherein the light emitting surface of the light-emitting device is about 1 mm square.
16. The illumination device of claim 13 , wherein the high-power solid state light-emitting device draws up to 5 W of power.
17. The illumination device of claim 13 , wherein the fiber optic light guide comprises a bundle of optic fibers.
18. The illumination device of claim 17 , wherein the fibers have diameters of about 30–50 micrometers.
19. The illumination device of claim 13 , further comprising a ferrule that surrounds the fiber optic light guide.
20. The illumination device of claim 19 , wherein the ferrule is located close to but not at the light receiving end of the fiber optic light guide.
21. The illumination device of claim 13 , wherein the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting device is substantially flat.
22. The illumination device of claim 21 , wherein the light receiving end of the fiber optic light guide is sub substantially flat.
23. The illumination device of claim 13 , wherein the fiber optic light guide comprises a single glass or plastic fiber.
24. The illumination device of claim 13 , further comprising a light emitting device battery power source.