Carsten Dam-Hansen

Antireflective sub-wavelength structures for improvement of the extraction efficiency and color rendering index of monolithic white light-emitting diode.

We have theoretically investigated the influence of antireflective sub-wavelength structures on a monolithic white light-emitting diode (LED). The simulation is based on the rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) algorithm, and both cylinder and moth-eye structures have been studied in the work. Our simulation results show that a moth-eye structure enhances the light extraction efficiency over the entire visible light range with an extraction efficiency enhancement of up to 26 %. Also for the first time to our best knowledge, the influence of sub-wavelength structures on both the color rendering index (CRI) and the correlated color temperature (CCT) of the monolithic white LED have been demonstrated. The CRI of the monolithic white LED could be improved from 92.68 to around 94 by applying a cylinder structure, and the CCT could be modified in a very large range with appropriate design of the cylinder structure.

Photorefractive grating formation in piezoelectric La3Ga5SiO14:Pr3+ crystals

Photorefractive grating formation and erasure in piezoelectric crystals of La3Ga5SiO14:Pr3+ are presented. The specific photoconductivity and the photorefractive sensitivity are determined. The polarization dependence of the grating formation due to the bulk photovoltaic effect is shown and compared favorably with the theoretical expression. This photorefractive material provides a possibility for separate investigations of the charge migration processes responsible for the photorefractive effect.

Light Emitting Diodes as an alternative ambient illumination source in photolithography environment

We explored an alternative light emitting diode (LED) - based solution to replace the existing yellow fluorescent light tubes (YFT) used in photolithography rooms. A no-blue LED lamp was designed and a prototype was fabricated. For both solutions, the spectral power distribution (SPD) was measured, the colorimetric values were calculated, and a visual comparison using Gretagmacbeth colorcharts was performed. The visual comparison showed that the LED bulb was better to render colors despite a low color rendering index (CRI). Furthermore, the LED bulb was tested in a photolithography room and there was no exposure to the photoresist even after 168 hours illumination.

Replication of optical microlens array using photoresist coated molds.

A cost reduced method of producing injection molding tools is reported and demonstrated for the fabrication of optical microlens arrays. A standard computer-numerical-control (CNC) milling machine was used to make a rough mold in steel. Surface treatment of the steel mold by spray coating with photoresist is used to smooth the mold surface providing good optical quality. The tool and process are demonstrated for the fabrication of an ø50 mm beam homogenizer for a color mixing LED light engine. The acceptance angle of the microlens array is optimized, in order to maximize the optical efficiency from the light engine. Polymer injection molded microlens arrays were produced from both the rough and coated molds and have been characterized for lenslet parameters, surface quality, light scattering, and acceptance angle. The surface roughness (Ra) is improved approximately by a factor of two after the coating process and the light scattering is reduced so that the molded microlens array can be used for the color mixing application. The measured accepted angle of the microlens array is 40° which is in agreement with simulations.

Holographic grating formation in laser-deposited aluminium-doped zinc oxide and indium tin oxide films

Holographic grating formation is demonstrated in films of the transparent and semiconducting materials aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and indium tin oxide (ITO) produced by pulsed laser deposition. The holographic gratings are induced by UV laser light at 356 nm. The physics and characteristics of grating formation in laser-deposited AZO and ITO films are compared with those of sputter-deposited indium oxide and ITO films, which have been previously used as holographic recorders. It is found that the optical response of laser-deposited AZO films are superior to that of ITO films. The AZO films exhibited an average transmission in the visible wavelength range of over 90%, and grating diffraction efficiencies of 3 × 10-6 in 200 nm thick films.

'No blue' LED solution for photolithography room illumination

This paper explored the feasibility of using a LED-based bulb as the illumination light source for photolithography room. A no-blue LED was designed, and the prototype was fabricated. The spectral power distribution of both the LED bulb and the yellow fluorescent tube was measured. Based on that, colorimetric values were calculated and compared on terms of chromatic coordinates, correlated color temperature, color rendering index, and chromatic deviation. Gretagmacbeth color charts were used as a more visional way to compare the two light sources, which shows that our no-blue LED bulb has much better color rendering ability than the YFT. Furthermore, LED solution has design flexibility to improve it further. The prototype has been tested with photoresist SU8-2005. Even after 15 days of illumination, no effect was observed. So this LED-based solution was demonstrated to be a very promising light source for photolithography room illumination due to its better color rendering in addition to energy efficiency, long life time and design flexibility.

Quasi-achromatic laser Doppler anemometry systems based on a diffractive beam splitter

We propose a new beam-splitter system that makes it possible to use nonstabilized laser diodes for laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) systems by making the system wavelength independent. The beam splitter consists of two linear diffraction gratings that produce two parallel beams with a beam spacing that is wavelength dependent. This ensures passive wavelength compensation for the fringe spacing in the measurement volume. One can choose the distance between the two parallel beams by changing the distance between the two gratings, whereas the distance to the measurement volume can be designed by choice of a condensing lens with the proper focal length. This means that the system can be designed to have a desired fringe spacing in the measurement volume. The gratings are implemented as surface-relief holograms in photoresist, which makes it possible to mass produce the beam-splitter system at low cost through replication of the structure. The method for passive wavelength compensation for the fringe spacing is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally.

Temperature properties of laser-induced interference filters in lithium niobate

The temperature properties of subangstrom bandwidth interference filters written in photorefractive lithium niobate crystals are investigated. The temperature sensitivity of the center wavelength is described with a theoretical model based on the phase matching condition. The theory is compared favorably with our experimental results, on unfixed filters at 413 nm and 514.5 nm, and with the work of other groups. A sensitivity of 0.047 A/K and 0.104 A/K are measured for filters with the grating wave vector, respectively, parallel and perpendicular to the c-axis. Using a novel method the spectral response is deduced from combined angular and temperature response measurements. An asymmetry is observed in the filter response. A spectral bandwidth of 0.05 A is estimated for a filter with a measured thermal bandwidth of 0.5 K, giving a temperature tuning range of 2 A and a stabilization accuracy of 0.005 A.

High-flux focusable color-tunable and efficient white-light-emitting diode light engine for stage lighting

Abstract. A color mixing light-emitting diode (LED) light engine that can replace 2-kW halogen–Fresnel spotlight with high-luminous flux in excess of 20,000 lm is reported for applications in professional stage and studio lighting. The light engine focuses and mixes the light from 210 LEDs of five different colors through a microlens array (MA) at the gate of Ø50  mm. Hence, it produces homogeneous color-mixed tunable white light from 3000 to 6000 K that can be adjustable from flood to spot position providing 10% translational loss, whereas the corresponding loss from the halogen–Fresnel spotlight is 37%. The design, simulation, and optimization of the light engine is described and compared to the experimental characterization of a prototype. The light engine is optimized through the simulated design of reflector, total internal reflection lens, and MA, as well as the number of LEDs. An optical efficiency of 59% and a luminous efficacy of 33  lm/W are achieved, which is three times higher than the 2-kW halogen–Fresnel spotlight. In addition to having color rendering of color rendering index Ra>85 and television lighting consistency index 12>70, the dimmable and tunable white light can be color controlled during the operational time.

Cantilever biosensor reader using a common-path, holographic optical interferometer

We demonstrate an optical reader principle aimed at monitoring biologically induced deflections of microcantilevers often used in biosensor systems. The principle is based on a so-called common-path optical interferometer in which the two interfering optical beams are copropagating, which makes the system less sensitive to external disturbances. A detection limit of around 1 nm’s deflection is demonstrated.