Improvement of Color Temperature Constancy of Phosphor Converted LEDs by Adaption of the Thermo-Optic Coefficients of the Color Conversion Materials

Abstract

We present an approach to diminish temperature induced color shifts of phosphor converted LEDs. In particular, we discuss the impact of the thermo-optic coefficients of the materials constituting the color conversion elements (CCEs) on the constancy of the CIE chromaticity coordinates. While silicones have a comparably large thermo-optic coefficient, phosphors, e.g., Ce:YAG have a much smaller one. Hence, increasing temperature will lead to an increase in the differences of the refractive indexes of phosphor and matrix. This will enhance light-scattering which for itself would give reason for a more yellowish emission. Thus, on the one hand the thermo-optic coefficient of the silicone matrix has to be considered for as a potential source of failure for color temperature deviation upon device operation. However, on the other hand adjusting the thermo-optic coefficient of the silicone matrix by an appropriate materials engineering to the temperature induced luminescence loss of a phosphor can be applied to counterbalance a shift of the chromaticity coordinates of the white light in this regard.