3.1. Analysis of the Laser Processing
In this study, ceramic phosphors based on Y
3Al
5O
12:Ce
3+ were prepared by heated press sintering method [
17]. We investigated their photoluminescence properties and performance as converters for high color rendering index warm white LEDs. To evaluate the optical and thermal properties of the FS-PiC-based white LEDs, we measured their luminous flux, color temperature, and chromaticity coordinates at different operating currents. In addition, we performed accelerated aging tests on the LEDs to investigate their reliability under high-temperature conditions. The experimental results have shown that these parameters produce a high-quality structure with precise and uniform features, which can provide excellent thermal conductivity and package properties for CSP packaging.
These techniques provide valuable information about the surface roughness, uniformity, and topographical characteristics of the phosphor layer, as shown in
Figure 7 and
Figure 8. The images can reveal grain size, particle distribution, and surface texture, visually representing the phosphor layer's morphology. We performed the laser engraving process on the surface of a five-layer phosphor layer. We achieved a depth of 13.2 mm with the laser, creating a precise laser micro via structure with a diameter of 1.8 mm, as shown in
Figure 8 (c). The laser engraving resulted in a well-defined and controlled surface morphology on the phosphor layer. The deep laser engraving reached a depth of 13.2 mm, allowing for the creation of intricate patterns and structures within the phosphor layer. This deep laser machining capability opens up possibilities for various applications that require precise and profound modifications within the phosphor layer.
Additionally, the laser engraving created during the process had a diameter of 1.8 mm. These laser micro via structure serve as channels or pathways for light propagation within the phosphor layer. The precise and controlled formation of these micro via structure ensures efficient light transmission and distribution, contributing to the overall performance of the phosphor layer.
3.2. Optical Characterization
The luminous flux of the FS-PiC-based white CSP-LEDs was measured by using an integrating sphere system (LMS-8000, Radiant) at different driving currents ranging from 350 mA to 1000 mA, as shown in Fugure 9. The luminous flux of the LEDs increases with increasing driving current. At a driving current of 1000 mA, the device achieves a maximum luminous flux of 401 lm. The maximum luminous flux of FS-PiG was 1.05 times larger than SS-PiG when the maximum luminous flux of SS-PiG was 380lm.
The color temperature and chromaticity coordinates of the FS-PiC-based white CSP-LEDs were measured using a spectroradiometer (CAS 140CT, Instrument Systems) equipped with an integrating sphere (IS-1.5-SA, Instrument Systems) at different driving currents. The color temperature of the LEDs increases from 5638 K to 5935 K as the driving current increases from 350 mA to 1000 mA. The chromaticity coordinates of the LEDs at different driving currents are shown in Fugure 9. Observers can note that the chromaticity coordinates remain almost constant at (0.35, 0.39) within the entire current range, indicating the excellent color stability of the FS-PiC-based white CSP-LEDs. We calculated the conversion efficiency of the phosphor in the CSP-LED, as it is necessary to determine the input power of the LED. The constant forward voltage was 3.2V for the CSP-LED, and the conversion efficiency can be measured using luminous efficiency. This estimation assumes that the light source's internal quantum efficiency (IQE) is close to 100% and that the phosphor maintains a constant spectral power distribution (SPD) at all current levels. In this study, we approximate the conversion efficiency as the ratio of the luminous flux emitted by the LED with the micro-square via structure to the luminous flux emitted by the LED without the micro-square via structure, both operating at the same current level. Assuming that the LED without the micro-square via structure has a luminous efficacy of 200 lm/W, the conversion efficiency can be calculated at different current levels as follows:
Thus, we calculated the conversion efficiency of these FS-PiC-based white CSP-LEDs to be about 83-87%.
For the electroluminescence spectra experiment, we used a spectroradiometer to measure the radiation intensity of CSP-LEDs with different wavelengths and currents. To investigate the electroluminescence (EL) spectra of the fabricated FS-PiC-based white CSP-LEDs, we used a spectrometer (QE65000, Ocean Optics, USA) to measure the EL spectra. We measured the EL spectra at different driving currents, ranging from 50 mA to 1 A.
Figure 10 presents the EL spectra of the FS-PiC-based white and conventional LEDs at a driving current of 1 A. The EL spectra of the FS-PiC-based white LEDs are broader than those of the traditional LEDs, indicating that the FS-PiC layer can effectively broaden the EL spectrum. Using a micro-square, the EL spectrum can be measured using a spectrometer to analyze the emitted light from an LED. We can adjust the current to drive the WLED lamp from 350 mA to 1000 mA. By examining the EL spectrum, you can identify the peak emission wavelength (PWL) of the phosphor used in the LED with micro-square via.
The radiation intensity of the CSP-LED is wavelength-dependent, as evidenced by the varying emission spectra. The measurement repeatability of the radiation intensity was evaluated by performing multiple measurements under the same conditions. The repeatability was calculated using the standard deviation and expressed as the mean value. The performance of CSP-LEDs depends on several factors, such as the thickness and concentration of the phosphor film on the top and side surfaces of the chip and the current density of the CSP-LEDs in Figure 11a,b. The measurement results of the micro-square via structure phosphor with blue LED showed a luminance intensity of 485 mW/srm².
In comparison, the blue LED without the structure had a measured luminance intensity of 160 mW/srm². The light intensity of the five-surface structure was higher than 2.03 times. These results indicate that the photoluminescent properties of the phosphors are significantly improved when combined with the micro-square via structure. The micro-square via structure enhances the light extraction efficiency and directs the emitted light in the desired direction. This structure allows more light from the phosphor to escape from the LED chip, increasing the luminous intensity.
The luminous flux measures the perceived power of light emitted by a source. With the increase in thickness and concentration of the phosphor film, the luminous flux of CSP-LEDs decreases because the phosphor layer absorbs more blue light, resulting in the emission of less white light. The top surface film thickness ratio to the side surface film thickness affects the light distribution curve. However, decreasing the film thickness too much can also reduce the luminous flux due to incomplete conversion of blue light into white light. The YAG: Ce3+ phosphor with microstructure exhibited higher photoluminescence intensity under blue light excitation than the phosphor without microstructure. The main factor for this is that the microstructure enhances the light scattering and absorption of the phosphor, thereby enabling a more efficient transfer of energy from blue light to Ce3+ ions. But, the effect makes the performance of the FS-PiC LED on the color coordinate close to the white light standard in the (0.33, 0.33) when the color coordinates in five-surface structure and traditional type was of (0.3179±0.003, 0.3352±0.003), and (0.3083±0.07, 0.3172±0.07). The offset in the SS-PiC was higher than 2.6 times with the FS-PIC and was close in the blue light area.
Figure 11.
The spectral luminous efficiency and CIE chromaticity coordinates of the CSP-LED without/with FS-PiC layer.
Figure 11.
The spectral luminous efficiency and CIE chromaticity coordinates of the CSP-LED without/with FS-PiC layer.
Figure 12 shows the advantages of emitting light type in the different emitting angles, which compares color coordinate distribution, CCT, and luminous performance.
Figure 12(a) shows the X-axis profile analysis of IEC in the SS-PiC and FS-PiC. The center points of SS-PiC and FS-PiC were similar and close at 0.31 and 0.32, but the standard deviation gap was 23 times when the values were 0.07 and 0.003, respectively.
At the same time, the above trends are also reflected in color temperature at various emitting angles. Under color temperature measurement in
Figure 12(b), SS-PiC LEDs have a color temperature range from 5000~7000 K due to their structure, with an average color temperature of 5800K. Still, the overall color temperature ranges from neutral color light (3300~5300K) to cold color light (above 5300K). The neutral color temperature area accounts for 36%, and the cold light area accounts for 64%, which is biased toward the cold light area in
Figure 11(b). The average of the FS-PiG is 5500K, and the whole is at the junction of neutral and cold colors. The deviation value of FS-PiG in 110K is more uniform than the SS-PiG in 758K. Finally, the light-emitting area of FS-PiG was 3 times larger than the SS-PiG when PiG used a laser engraving process to engrave the five-surface structure and induce more light-emitting area.
The advantages of five-surface emitting white light LEDs in terms of light uniformity, softer illumination, and broader lighting effects in optical measurement and sensor applications are as follows:
Improved precision: Uniform light distribution can enhance measurement accuracy in optical measurements. The uniform light generated by FS-PiG LEDs helps reduce measurement deviations caused by uneven light spots or shadows.
Reduction of deviations: Softer light can reduce light reflection and refraction, thereby minimizing optical deviations that may occur in sensors, enhancing measurement accuracy and reliability.
Increased coverage: Due to the broader illumination range, FS-PiG LEDs can cover larger sensing areas, expanding the application range of sensors to accommodate a wider variety of objects of different sizes and shapes.
Reduced calibration requirements: Uniform and soft lighting helps reduce the calibration needs of sensors. Sensor calibration becomes more accessible and accurate with a more stable and consistent light environment for measurements.
Based on these advantages, the benefits of five-surface emitting white light LEDs in optical and sensor applications can enhance measurement accuracy, reliability, and stability, thereby enhancing sensor systems' performance and application value. Based on the literature [
18], using LED instead of incandescent lights as the calibration source to calibrate the photometer for measuring LED illumination can significantly reduce the uncertainty associated with spectral mismatch correction. Switching from incandescent lamps to LED calibration sources reduces the average maximum spectral mismatch error of LED measurements by a factor of three.
To evaluate the color performance of the fabricated FS-PiC-based white LEDs with CSP, we measured the color coordinates using a chromaticity meter (CS-200, Konica Minolta, Japan). Measured the color coordinates at different driving currents, ranging from 50 mA to 1 A.
Figure 13 shows the FS-PiC-based white and conventional LEDs' chromaticity coordinates at different driving currents. The chromaticity coordinates of the FS-PiC-based white LEDs are stable at different driving currents, indicating that the FS-PiC layer has excellent color stability. Moreover, the chromaticity coordinates of the FS-PiC-based white LEDs are closer to the standard illuminant D65 than those of the conventional LEDs, indicating that the FS-PiC-based white LEDs have better color rendering.