Si QDs embedded in SiOx or SiNx thin films, which could emit light in the entire visible range from 440 nm to 840 nm by controlling their size and/or their matrix, were synthesized by evaporation or plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition techniques. Various shades of white could be obtained from multi-layered SiNx film structures by controlling the size of Si QDs and layer thickness. It was shown that the combination of these films can produce white emission spectra with superior color rendering properties compared to conventional fluorescent tubes. Such Si-based QDs can be used as down-converting phosphors to coat a blue/UV LED to generate white light, providing a less expensive fabrication process to obtain advanced solid state lighting devices. As a supplement, free CdTe QDs with emission colors spanning 520~700 nm and quantum efficiency up to 54%, were synthesized using a colloidal chemical method for white LED applications. White PL and a range of emission colors were obtained from mixed CdTe QD samples excited by a 420 nm blue LED. Another part of this research was to develop a new x-ray powder phosphor, ZnTe:O, for biological imaging applications used in CCD-based synchrotron x-ray detectors. A unique dry synthesis process, including gaseous dry doping and etching procedures, was developed to synthesize ZnTe:O phosphors. The excellent x-ray luminescence results of oxygen doped ZnTe, including high efficiency, high resolution, fast decay, low afterglow and an improved spectral match to the CCD detector, indicated that ZnTe:O is a promising phosphor candidate for x-ray imaging applications.

Solid state white light emitting diode lighting devices outperform conventional light sources in terms of lifetime, durability, and lumens per watt. However, the capital contribution is still to high to encourage widespread adoption. Furthermore, the colour from today's devices is unsuitable for general room illumination and thus new phosphor materials are needed. This dissertation will examine the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles and the possibility of using hybrid inorganic-organic frameworks in the search for new lighting phosphors. Nanoparticles of the oxide compound yttrium aluminium garnet were synthesized using an emulsion technique, though it was found that the high temperature processing needed for good optical properties was not compatible with maintaining nanosized particles. In terms of hybrid framework phosphors, several aspects of this new area have been explored. The mechanical and optical properties of a dense cerium oxalate formate hybrid framework compound have been investigated. Its strength was found to be nearly as great as some classical ceramic compounds, and clearly robust enough for device applications. While the photoluminescence of the cerium oxalate formate was not suitable for solid state lighting, the impressive mechanical properties evaluated are expected to be valid for a wide range of dense inorganic-organic frameworks. A novel approach to solid state lighting phosphors was introduced by using ligand-based photoluminescence in hybrid frameworks. Novel frameworks were prepared using 9,10-anthraquinone-2,3-dicarboxylic acid in combination with calcium, manganese, nickel, and zinc. These compounds show excellent photoluminescent emission for use in solid state lighting applications, although the luminescence is quenched at room temperature due to dynamic effects. The excitation, while reaching the blue part of the spectrum, falls just short of what is needed for use today's devices. To address these issues, a second class of novel framework compounds was prepared using 9-fluorenone-2,7-dicarboxylic acid in combination with calcium, strontium, barium, cadmium, and manganese. They are more rigid structures and show good luminescence at room temperature with a photoluminescent excitation spectrum extending further into the blue than the anthraquinones. Additionally, quantum yield in the calcium fluorenone is nearly double that of its parent ligand, suggesting that there is an enhancement in luminescent properties as a result its inclusion in a framework structure. An explanation for the differences in efficiency between seemingly similar compounds are drawn from their compositions, crystal structures, photoluminescence, and specific heat properties. Finally, some structural and chemical targets for future hybrid phosphor development are identified based on the relationships identified in this work.

To date, group-III-nitride has undergone continuous improvements to provide a broader range of industrial applications, such as solid-state lighting (SSL), visible light communications (VLC), and light projection. Recently, VLC has attained substantial attention in the field of wireless communication because it offers ~ 370 THz of bandwidth of unregulated visible spectrum, which makes it a critical factor in the evolution of the 5G networks and beyond. GaN-based light-emitting diode (LED) and laser diode (LD) have become increasingly appealing in energy-sufficient SSL replacing conventional light sources. However, III- nitride LEDs suffer from efficiency-droop in their external quantum efficiency associated with high current densities, and their modulation bandwidth is limited to 10 ~ 100 MHz. Although LDs have shown gigabit-modulation bandwidth, unfavorable artifacts, such as speckles are observed, which may raise a concern about eye safety. This dissertation is devoted to the fabrication and electrical and optical characterization of a new class of III-nitride light-emitter known as superluminescent diode (SLD). SLD works in an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) regime, and it combines several advantages from both LD and LED, such as droop-free, speckle-free, low-spatial coherence, broader emission, high-optical power, and directional beam. Here, SLDs were fabricated by a focused ion beam by tilting the front facet of the waveguide to suppress the lasing mode. They showed a high-power of 474 mW on c-plane GaN-substrate with a large spectral bandwidth of 6.5 nm at an optical power of 105 mW. To generate SLD- based white light, a YAG-phosphor-plate was integrated, and a CRI of 85.1 and CCT of 3392 K were measured. For the VLC link, SLD showed record high-data rates of 1.45 Gbps and 3.4 Gbps by OOK and DMT modulation schemes, respectively. Additionally, a widely single- and dual-wavelength tunability were designed using SLD-based external cavity (SLD-EC) configuration for a tunable blue laser source. These results underscore the practicality of c-plane SLDs in realizing high-power, high data rate, speckle-free, and droop-free SSL-VLC apparatus. Additionally, the SLD-EC configuration allows a wide range of applications, including biomedical applications, optical communication, and high-resolution spectroscopy.

InGaN is a promising semiconductor for solid state lighting thanks to its bandgap which spans the entire visible regime of the electromagnetic spectrum. InGaN is grown heteroepitaxially due to the absence of a native substrate; however, this results in a strained film and a high dislocation density—two effects that have been associated with efficiency droop, which is the disastrous drop in efficiency of a light-emitting diode (LED) as the input current increases. Heteroepitaxially grown nanowires have recently attracted great interest due to their property of eliminating the detrimental effects of the lattice mismatch and the corollary efficiency droop. In this study, InGaN nanowires were grown on a low-cost Si (111) substrate via molecular beam epitaxy. Unique nanostructures, taking the form of mushrooms, have been observed in localized regions on the samples. These nanomushrooms consist of a nanowire body with a wide cap on top. Photoluminescence characterization revealed that the nanowires emit violet-blue, whilst the nanomushrooms emit a broad yellow-orange-red luminescence. The simultaneous emission from the nanowires and nanomushrooms forms white light. Structural characterization of a single nanomushroom via transmission electron microscopy revealed a simultaneous increase in indium and decrease in gallium at the interface between the body and the cap. Furthermore, the cap itself was found to be indium-rich, confirming it as the source of the longer wavelength yellow-orange-red luminescence. It is believed that the nanomushroom cap formed as a consequence of the saturation of growth on the c-plane of the nanowire. It is proposed that the formation of an indium droplet on the tip of the nanowire saturated growth on the c-plane, forcing the indium and gallium adatoms to incorporate on the sidewall m-planes instead, but only at the nanowire tip. This resulted in the formation of a mushroom-like cap on the tip. How and why the indium droplets formed is not entirely clear, but a localized temperature dip may have been the cause. Ultimately, the simultaneous growth of nanowires and nanomushrooms on the same substrate may pave the way to the development of a phosphor-free, efficient, inherent white LED.

No description available.

Ce mémoire s'inscrit dans la construction d'une méthodologie d'analyse de défaillance pour l'évaluation de la fiabilité de diodes électroluminescentes, par une approche basée sur l'analyse physique de dégradation et l'extraction de signatures électriques de défaillance et optiques pour localiser les zones dégradées. L'ajout d'analyses physico-chimiques réduit le nombre de composants et peut confirmer les mécanismes de dégradation induits par les vieillissements en stockage actif. Un projet, en collaboration avec le CNES, a permis la mise en évidence des zones sensibles de DELs à MPQ InGaN/GaN à faible puissance (30mW) soumises à un vieillissement en conditions opérationnelles (1500h/85°C/Inominal). L'analyse de défaillance de ces DELs a permis d'expliquer une perte de 65% de puissance optique par la modification de la structure moléculaire de l'huile silicone activée photothermiquement induisant une perte de fluorescence de 69% et une très forte diminution de l'absorption de la lumière de la DEL (90%). Nous avons également démontré (projet CEA-LETI - éclairage public) que le même mécanisme est présent dans le mélange gel silicone/phosphore YAG:Ce de DELs blanches à MPQ InGaN/GaN soumises à un vieillissement similaire (85°C/550mA/500h). A 450nm, le rendement de fluorescence a augmenté de 1,2% malgré des pertes en absorption (> 94%) et en réémission de fluorescence (> 85%). La modification de la structure moléculaire du gel a induit une perte de puissance optique des DELs de 45% et une dérive de la couleur blanche vers le jaune (≈ 3,6%). Cette dérive est due à un décalage spectral de la fluorescence de l'UV (5nm) vers le bleu entraînant un décalage vers le rouge (2nm) de la lumière de la DEL.

This work presents a new wireless Visible Light Communication lighting system targeted to future Smart Buildings. A digitally controlled LLC resonant dc-dc converter targeted to white LED luminaires is demonstrated. Visible Light Communication is implemented with minimal incremental cost, by operating the LLC converter in burst mode, without causing any visible disturbance. The converter operates with a regulated average LED current by adjusting the switching frequency, while the burst pulse timing is controlled to minimize the current disturbance and minimize the value of the output capacitor. Variable Pulse Position Modulation is used to modulate the data, while supporting a range of dimming settings. A digital demodulation scheme that supports variable frequency transmission is demonstrated. The 80 W, 400 V to 23 V converter experimental prototype has a peak efficiency of 93.8 %. The bit error rate of the complete system is fully characterized versus distance and angle.

This work presents a new wireless Visible Light Communication lighting system targeted to future Smart Buildings. A digitally controlled LLC resonant dc-dc converter targeted to white LED luminaires is demonstrated. Visible Light Communication is implemented with minimal incremental cost, by operating the LLC converter in burst mode, without causing any visible disturbance. The converter operates with a regulated average LED current by adjusting the switching frequency, while the burst pulse timing is controlled to minimize the current disturbance and minimize the value of the output capacitor. Variable Pulse Position Modulation is used to modulate the data, while supporting a range of dimming settings. A digital demodulation scheme that supports variable frequency transmission is demonstrated. The 80 W, 400 V to 23 V converter experimental prototype has a peak efficiency of 93.8 %. The bit error rate of the complete system is fully characterized versus distance and angle.

The thesis is aimed at the investigation of niche applications of solid-state lighting with controllable colour-rendition, spatial, photochemical, and photobiological properties. In order to employ the controllability of light emitting diode (LED) based lighting technology, the research on such niche applications as artwork illumination and street lighting are focussed. The smart colour rendition engine (CRE), which allows for continuously tuning metameric spectra with different colour rendition properties, is introduced. The results on the subjective validation of the statistical colour rendition metric using the CRE are presented. The main requirements for artwork illumination are overviewed and the application of the intelligently controlled CRE in artwork illumination is investigated in two aspects: a) the establishment of subjective needs in colour quality of illumination as a function of the contents of artworks and the observers’ cultural background and b) the effect of the control of photochemical damage irradiance on the visual impression from artworks, while adjusting the chromaticity and colour rendition properties of the illuminant. The results on the optimization of the luminance distribution within an intelligent lighting installation for pedestrian areas using the identification of subjective impressions are presented. The low-circadian action LED source for outdoor lighting is introduced and the results on the assessment of photometric, colorimetric... [to full text] / Ši disertacija yra skirta ištirti kietakūnio apšvietimo su valdomomis spalvų perteikimo, erdvinėmis, fotocheminėmis ir fotobiologinėmis savybėmis galimus nišinius taikymus. Kaip nišinių taikymų pavyzdžiai, kuriuose ryškiausiai atsiskleidžia valdomo apšvietimo privalumai, buvo pasirinkti dailės kūrinių apšvietimas ir gatvių apšvietimas. Šiame darbe pristatytas išmanusis spalvų perteikimo variklis (SPV), leidžiantis tolydžiai keisti metamerinius spektrinės galios skirstinius, pasižyminčius skirtingomis spalvų perteikimo savybėmis. Naudojant SPV validuotas statistinis apšvietimo spalvinės kokybės vertinimo metodas. Apžvelgti dailės kūrinių apšvietimo reikalavimai bei pristatomi SPV pritaikymo dailės kūrinių apšvietimui pagal du kriterijus tyrimai: a) įvertinant apšvietimo spalvinei kokybei teikiamos subjektyvios pirmenybės priklausomybę nuo dailės kūrinio turinio ir žiūrovų kultūrinės kilmės; b) parodant regimosios išraiškos pokytį, atsirandantį dėl apšvietos lygio kitimo, kuomet fiksuojama apšvietimo fotocheminė įtaka apšviečiantiems paviršiams, kintant kokybiniams apšvietimo parametrams. Pristatomi apšvietimo skirstinio pėsčiųjų zonai optimizavimo rezultatai, gauti įvertinus subjektyvius poreikius. Pasiūlytas žemo cirkadinio poveikio kietakūnis šviesos šaltinis, skirtas lauko apšvietimui. Įvertintos tokio šaltinio fotometrinės, kolorimetrinės, spalvų perteikimo, fotobiologinės ir šviesinės taršos savybės bei atlikti tyrimai, įvertinantys psichofizines savybes.

Ši disertacija yra skirta ištirti kietakūnio apšvietimo su valdomomis spalvų perteikimo, erdvinėmis, fotocheminėmis ir fotobiologinėmis savybėmis galimus nišinius taikymus. Kaip nišinių taikymų pavyzdžiai, kuriuose ryškiausiai atsiskleidžia valdomo apšvietimo privalumai, buvo pasirinkti dailės kūrinių apšvietimas ir gatvių apšvietimas. Šiame darbe pristatytas išmanusis spalvų perteikimo variklis (SPV), leidžiantis tolydžiai keisti metamerinius spektrinės galios skirstinius, pasižyminčius skirtingomis spalvų perteikimo savybėmis. Naudojant SPV validuotas statistinis apšvietimo spalvinės kokybės vertinimo metodas. Apžvelgti dailės kūrinių apšvietimo reikalavimai bei pristatomi SPV pritaikymo dailės kūrinių apšvietimui pagal du kriterijus tyrimai: a) įvertinant apšvietimo spalvinei kokybei teikiamos subjektyvios pirmenybės priklausomybę nuo dailės kūrinio turinio ir žiūrovų kultūrinės kilmės; b) parodant regimosios išraiškos pokytį, atsirandantį dėl apšvietos lygio kitimo, kuomet fiksuojama apšvietimo fotocheminė įtaka apšviečiantiems paviršiams, kintant kokybiniams apšvietimo parametrams. Pristatomi apšvietimo skirstinio pėsčiųjų zonai optimizavimo rezultatai, gauti įvertinus subjektyvius poreikius. Pasiūlytas žemo cirkadinio poveikio kietakūnis šviesos šaltinis, skirtas lauko apšvietimui. Įvertintos tokio šaltinio fotometrinės, kolorimetrinės, spalvų perteikimo, fotobiologinės ir šviesinės taršos savybės bei atlikti tyrimai, įvertinantys psichofizines savybes. / The thesis is aimed at the investigation of niche applications of solid-state lighting with controllable colour-rendition, spatial, photochemical, and photobiological properties. In order to employ the controllability of light emitting diode (LED) based lighting technology, the research on such niche applications as artwork illumination and street lighting are focussed. The smart colour rendition engine (CRE), which allows for continuously tuning metameric spectra with different colour rendition properties, is introduced. The results on the subjective validation of the statistical colour rendition metric using the CRE are presented. The main requirements for artwork illumination are overviewed and the application of the intelligently controlled CRE in artwork illumination is investigated in two aspects: a) the establishment of subjective needs in colour quality of illumination as a function of the contents of artworks and the observers’ cultural background and b) the effect of the control of photochemical damage irradiance on the visual impression from artworks, while adjusting the chromaticity and colour rendition properties of the illuminant. The results on the optimization of the luminance distribution within an intelligent lighting installation for pedestrian areas using the identification of subjective impressions are presented. The low-circadian action LED source for outdoor lighting is introduced and the results on the assessment of photometric, colorimetric... [to full text]