CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION S

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U . S . Patent Application No.

16/380,217, filed April 10, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 167252,570, filed January 18, 2019, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Due to the high efficiency, long lifetimes, low cost, and non-toxicity offered by solid state lighting technology, light emitting diodes (LED) have rapidly emerged as the illumination Technology of choice. On October 7, 2014, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura for "the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources" or, less formally, LED lamps.

SUMMARY

[0003] In accordance with an embodiment, a white light system includes a laser device comprising a gallium and nitrogen containing material and configured as an excitation source. The laser device comprising an output facet configured to output a laser

electromagnetic radiation with a first wavelength ranging from 385 M to 495 nnx. A phosphor member is configured as a wavelength converter and an emitter and is disposed to allow the laser electromagnetic radiation being optically coupled to a primary surface of the phosphor member. An angle of incidence is configured between the laser electromagnefie radiation and the primary surface of the phosphor member. The phosphor member is configured to convert at least a fraction of tire laser electromagnetic radiation with the first wavelength to a phosphor emission with a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength. In some embodiments, the phosphor member Is configured to convert at least a fraction of the laser electromagnetic radiation with the first wavelength landed in a spot greater than 5 mm on the primary surface to a phosphor emission with a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength. In some embodiments, a reflection mode characterizes the phosphor member with a white light emission: being generated from at least an interaction of the laser electromagnetic radiation with the phosphor emission emitted from the primary surface In other embodiments, a transmissi ve mode characterizes the phosphor member such that the laser beam is incident to the receiv ing surface of the phosphor member and the phosphor emission is primarily transmitted through the phosphor member to exit from an emission surface opposed to the receiving surface. The white light emission includes a mixture of wavelengths characterized by at least the second wavelength from the phosphor member. In some embodiments, a support member is configured to support the laser device and/or the phosphor member. A fiber is coupled to the phosphor member to capture the white light emission with at least 20% efficiency to deliver or distribute the white light emission. j 00041 In accordance with another embodiment, a system includes one or more white light source modules, each comprising: a laser device comprising a gallium and nitrogen containing material and configured as an excitation source, the laser device comprising an output facet configured to output a laser emission with a first wavelength ranging from 385 nm to 495 nm; a phosphor member configured as a wavelength converter and an emitter and disposed to allow the laser electromagnetic radiation being optically coupled to a primary surface of the phosphor member; an angle of incidence configured between the laser electromagnetic radiation and the primary surface of the phosphor member, the phosphor member configured to convert at least a traction of the laser electromagnetic radiation with the first wavelength landed in a spot greater than 5 mm on the; primary surface to a phosphor emission with a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength; and a reflection mode characterizing the phosphor member with a white light emission being generated from at least an interaction of the laser electromagnetic radiation with the phosphor emission emitted from the primary surface, the white light emission comprising of a mixture of wavelengths characterized by at least the second wavelength from the phosphor member. In some embodiments, one or more transport fibers are configured to have first ends to couple with the one or more white light source modules to capture the white light emission and transport the white light emission to second ends; and a headlight module attached at a remote location and coupled with the second ends of the one or more transport fibers, the headlight module being configured to project the white light onto road. In other

embodiments, one or more fibers are configured to have first ends to couple with the one or more white light source modules to capture the white light emission and transport the white light emission to respective second ends, each of the one or more fibers being configured at least partially as a leaky fiber to form an illumination source for the automobile.

[0005] I n accordance with another embodiment, a source for a vehicle includes a laser device; a phosphor member configured as a wavelength converter and an emitter and disposed to convert the laser emission to emit an electromagnetic radiation with a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength, the electromagnetic radiation is combined with the laser emission partially to generate a white light, the phosphor member being integrated with an optical collimator to focus the white light; and a fiber configured to couple the collimated white light and deliver the white light, wherein the fiber also is at least partially configured as a leaky fiber to scatter the white light partially out of fiber body arranged in a custom shape at a feature location.

[0006] In accordance with yet another embodiment, a while headlight for vehicle includes a laser module disposed in vehicle power system, the laser module comprising a gallium and nitrogen containing; laser chip and a driver receiving power from the vehicle power system to drive the laser chip to output a laser emission with a first wavelength ranging from 385 run to 495 ran; a white light module comprising a phosphor member coupled with the laser module, the phosphor member being configured as a wavelength con verter and an emitter to convert the laser emission to a phosphor radiation with a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength and to combine the phosphor radiation with the laser emission partially to generate a white light, the phosphor member being integrated with an optical collimator to focus the white light In some embodiments, a fiber is configured to couple the collimated white light and deliver tire white light to an exterior or interior feature location of the vehicle, the fiber comprising a leaky fiber configured as an illumination element disposed at the exterior or interior feature location,

the leaky fiber being configured to emit the white light partially by directional side scattering to generate effective luminous flux of greater than 25 lumens, or greater than 50 lumens, or greater than 150 lumens, or greater than 300 lumens, or greater than 600 lumens, or greater than 800 lumens, or greater than .1200 lumens in an optical efficiency of greater than 35% out of a surface of the leaky fiber. In other embodiments, a transport fiber is configured to couple the collimated white light and deliver the white Sight to a feature location for headlight of the vehicle, and a headlight mo dule i s di sposed at the feature location compr is ing a beam projection unit configured to receive the white light from the transport fiber and project a beam of the white light onto road with effective luminous flux of greater than 150 lumens, or greater than 300 lumens, or greater than 600 lumens, or greater than 800 lumens, or greater than 1200 lumens in an optical efficiency of greater than 35%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a simpli fied diagram Illustrating a reflective mode phosphor member integrated laser-based white light source mounted in a surface mount package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating a reflective mode phosphor member integrated laser-based white light source with multiple laser diode devices mounted in a surface mount package according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0009] Figure 3 is a simplified diagram illustrating an integrated laser-induced white light source mounted in a surface mount-type package and sealed with a cap member according to an embodiment of the present Invention.

[0010] Figure 4 is a simplified diagram illustrating an integrated laser-induced white light source mounted in a surface mount-type package and sealed with a cap member according to another embodiment of the present invention,

[0011] Figure 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating an integrated laser-induced white light source mounted in a surface mount package mounted onto a starboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating an integrated laser-induced white light source mounted in a flat-type package with a collimating optic according to an embodiment of the pres ent invention , [013] Figure 7 is a simplified diagram illustrating an Integrated laser-induced white light source mounted in a fiat-type package with a collimating optic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 8 is a simplified diagram illustrating an integrated laser-induced white light source mounted In a flat- type package and sealed with a cap member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0015] Figure 9 is a simplified diagram illustrating an integrated laser-induced white light source mounted in a can-type package with a collimating lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 10 is a simplified diagram illustrating an integrated laser-induced White light source mounted in a surface mount type package mounted on a heat sink with a collimating reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0017] Figure 1 1 i s a simpli fied diagram illustrating an integrated laser-induced white light source mounted in a surface mount type package mounted on a starboard with a collimating reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 12 is a simplified diagram illustrating an integrated laser-induced white light source mounted in a surface mount type package mounted on a heat sink with a collimating lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 13 is a simplified diagram illustrating an integraied laser-induced white light source mounted in a -surface mount type package mounted on a heat sink with a col limating lens and reflector member according to an embodiment of the present in ven tion.

[0020] Figure 14 is a simplified block diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 14A is art exemplary diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 15 is a simplified block diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 16 is a simplified block diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 17 is a simplified block diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 18 is a simplified diagram of A) a laser-based fiber-coupled white light system based on surface mount device (SMD) white light source and B) a laser-based fiber- coupled white light system with partially exposed SMD white light source according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0026] Figure 19 is a siiftpfified diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light system based on fiber-id and fiber-out configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention,

[0027] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of a leaky fiber used for a laser-based fiber- coupled white light system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 21 is an: exemplary' image of a leaky fiber with a plurality of holes in fiber core according to an embodiment of the present invention,

J[029] Figure 22 shows light capture rate for Lambertian emitters according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0030] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of a fiber-delivered white light for automotive headlight according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0087] Figure 23.4 is a schematic diagram of an automobile with multiple laser-based fiber- delivered headlight modules with small formfaetor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 23 B is a schematic diagram of a laser-based fiber-delivered automotive headlight modules hidden in front grill pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 23C is a schematic diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 23D is a schematic diagram of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source framed around front grill structure of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0087] Figure 23E is a schematic diagram of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source configured as laytime running light of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 23F is a schematic diagram of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source configured around or along interior features of an automobi le according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0087] Figure 23G is a schemati c diagram of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source configured around or along interior features of an automobi le according to another embodiment of the present in vention.

[0087] Figure 23 H is a schematic diagram of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source configured around or along interior features of an automobile according to another embodiment of the present invention

[0087] Figure 23I is a schematic diagram of the laser-based fiber-coupled whi te light illumination source configured around or along interior features of an automobile according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram of a laser-based white light source coupled to a leaky fiber according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light bulb according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram of a laser light bulb according to another embodiment of the present invention,

[0035] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of a multi-filament laser light: bulb according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention provides a method and device for emitting white colored electromagnetic radiation using a combination of laser diode excitation sources based on gallium and nitrogen containing materials and light emitting source based on phosphor materials, in this invention a violet, blue, or other wavelength laser diode source based on gallium and nitrogen materials is closely integrated with phosphor materials to form a compact, high- brightness, and highly -efficient white light source,

[0037] A gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode (LD) or super luminescent light emitting diode (SLED) may comprise at least a gallium and nitrogen containing device having an active region and a cavity member and are characterized by emitted spectra generated by the stimulated emissi on of photons. In some embodiments a laser device emitting red laser light, i.e. light with Wavelength between about 600 nm to 750 run, are provided. These red laser diodes may comprise at least a gallium phosphorus and arsenic containing device having an active region and a cavity member and are characterized by emitted spectra generated by the stimulated emission of photons. The ideal wavelength for a red device for display applications is ~ 635 n.m, for green ~ 530 nm and for blue 440-470 uni There may be tradeoffs between what colors are rendered with a display using different wavelength lasers and also how bright the display is as the eye is mom sensitive to some wavelengths than to others.

[0038] In some embodiments according to the present invention, multiple laser diode sources are configured to excite the same phosphor or phosphor network. Combining multiple laser sources can offer many potential benefits according to this invention. First, the excitation power can be increased by beam combining to provide a more powerful excitation spit and hence produce a brighter light source. In some embodiments, separate individual laser chips are configured within the laser-phosphor light source. By including multiple lasers emitting 1W, 2W, 3W, 4W, 5W or more power each, the excitation power can be increased and hence the source brightness would be increased. For example, by including two 3 W lasers exciting the same phosphor area, the excitation power can be increased to 6W for double the white light brightness. In an example where about 200 lumens of white are generated per 1 watt of laser exci tation power, the white light output w ould be increased from 600 lumens to 1200 lumens. Beyond scaling the power of each single laser diode emitter, the total luminous flux of the white light source can be increased by continuing to increase the total number of laser diodes, which can range from 10s, to 100s, and even to 1000s of laser diode emitters resulting in 10s to 100s of kW of laser diode excitation power. Scaling the number of laser diode emitters can be accomplished in many ways such as including multiple lasers in a co-package, spatial beam combining ; through conventional refractive optics or polarization Combining, and others. Moreover, laser diode bars or arrays, and mini-bars can be utilized where each laser chip includes many adjacent laser diode emitters, For example, a bar could include from 2 to 100 laser diode emitters spaced from about 10 microns to about 400 microns apart. Similarly, the reliability of the source can be increased by using multiple sources at lower drive conditions to achieve the same excitation power as a single source driven at more harsh conditions such as higher current and voltage.

[0039] In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be applied to a fiber deli vered headlight comprised of one of more gallium and nitrogen containing visible laser diode for emitting laser light that is efficiently coupled into a waveguide (such as an optical fiber) to deliver the laser emission to a remote phosphor member configured on the other end of the optical fiber. The laser emission serves to excite the phosphor member and generate a high brightness white fight. In a headlight application, the phosphor member and white light generation occurs in a final headlight module, from where the light is collimated and shaped onto the road to achieve the desired light: pattern,

[0040] This disclosure utilizes fiber delivery of visible laser light from a gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode to a remote phosphor member to generate a white light emission with high luminance, and has several key benefits over other approaches. One advantage lies in production of controllable light output or amount of light for low beam or high beam using modular design in a miniature headlight module footprint. Another advantage is to provide high luminance and long range of visibility. For example, based on recent driving speeds and safe stopping distances, a range of 800 meters to 1 km is possible from 200 lumens on the road using a size<35 mm optic structure with light sources that are 1000 cd per mm ² . Using higher luminance light sottrees allows one to achieve longer-range visibility for the same optics size, Further advantage of the fiber-delivered white-light headlight is able to provide high contrast. It is important to minimize glare and maximize safety' and visibility for drivers and others including oncoming traffic, pedestrians, animals, and drivers headed in the same direction traffic ahead. High luminance is required to produce sharp light gradients and the specific regulated light patterns for automotive lighting.

Moreover, using a waveguide such as an optical fiber, extremely sharp light gradients and ultra-safe glare reduction can be generated by reshaping and projecting the decisive light cutoff that exists from core to cladding in the light emission profile. Because of the remote nature of the light sources, the headlight module can be mounted onto a pre-existing heat sink with adequate thermal mass that is located anywhere in the vehicle, eliminating the need for heat sink in the headlight.

[0041] One big advantage is small form factor of the light source and a low-cost solution for swiveling the light for glare mitigation and enhancing aerodynamic performance. For example, miniature optics < 1 cm in diameter in a headlight module can be utilized to capture nearly 100% o f the light from the fiber. The white light can he collimated and shaped with tiny diffusers or simple optical elements to produce the desired beam pattern: on the road it is desired to have extremely small optics sizes for styling of the vehicle. Using higher luminance light sources allows one to achieve smaller optics sizes for the same range of visibility. This headlight design allows one to integrate the headlight module into the grill, onto wheel cover, into seams between the hood and front bumper, etc. This headlight design features a headlight module that is extremely low mass and lightweight, and therefore minimized weight in the front of the car, contributing to safety, fuel economy, and

speed/aeeeleration performance. For electric vehicles, this translates to increased vehicle range. Moreover, the decoupled fiber delivered architecture use pre-existing heat sink thermal mass already in vehicle, further minimizing the weight in the car. Furthermore, this headlight module is based on solid-state light source, and has long lifetime > 10,000 hours,

Redundancy and interchangeability are straightforward by simply replacing the fiber- delivered laser light source,

[0042] Because of the fiber confi guration in the desi gn of the fiber- delivered laser-induced while light headlight module, reliability is maximized by positioning the laser-induced light source away from the hot area near engine and other heat producing components. This allows the headlight module to operate at extremely high temperatures >100 ^° C, while the laser module can operate in a cool spot with ample heat sinking. In a specific embodiment, the present invention utilizes thermally stable, military standard style, telcordia type packaging technology. Hie only elements exposed to the front of the ear are the complex ly passive headlight module, comprised tiny macro-optical elements. There is no laser directly deployed in the headlight module, only incoherent white light and a reflective: phosphor architecture inside.

[0043] Because of the ease of generating new light patterns, and the modular approach to lumen scaling, this fiber- delivered light source allows for changing lumens and beam pattern for any region without retooling for an entirely new headlamp. This convenient capability to change beam pattern can be achieved by changing tiny optics and or diffusers instead of retooling for new large reflectors. Moreover, the fiber-delivered white light source can be used in interior lights and daytime running lights (DRL), with transport or side emiting plastic optical fiber (BGF),

[0044] Spatially dynamic beam shaping devices such as digital-light processing ( DLP), liquid-crystal display (LCD), 1 or 2 MEMS or Galvo minor systems, lightweight swivels, scanning fiber tips. Future spatially dynamic sources may require even brighter light, such as 5000 - 10000 lumens .from the source, to produce high definition spatial light modulation on the road using MEMS or liquid crystal components. Such dynamic lighting systems are incredibly bulky and expensive when co-locating the light source, electronics, heat sink, optics, and light modulators, and secondary optics. Therefore, they require-fiber delivered high luminance white light to enable spatial light modulation in a compact and more cost- effective manner,

[0045] An additional ad vantage of combining the emission from multiple laser diode emitters is the potential for a more circular spot by rotating the first free space diverging elliptical laser beam by 90 degrees relative to the second free space diverging elliptical laser beam and overlapping the centered ellipses on the phosphor. Alternatively, a more circular spot can be achieved by rotating the first free space diverging elliptical laser beam by 180 degrees relative to the second free space diverging elliptical laser beam and off-centered overlapping the ellipses on the phosphor to increase spot diameter in slow axis diverging direction. In another configuration, more than 2 lasers are included and some combination of the above described beam shaping spot geometry shaping is achieved, A third and important advantage is that multiple color lasers in an emitting device can significantly improve color quality (CRl and CQS) by improving the fill of the spectra in the violet/blue and cyan region of the visible spectrum. For example, two or more blue excitation lasers with slightly detuned wavelengths (e.g. 5 nm , 10 nm, .15 nm, etc.) can be included to excite a yellow phosphor and create a larger blue spectrum.

[0046] An example of a packaged CPoS white light source according to the present invention is provided in a reflective mode white light source configured in a surface mount device (SMD) type package. Figure 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a reflective mode phosphor integrated laser-based white light source mounted in a surface mount package according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example , a reflective mode White light source is configured in a surface mount device (SMD) type package. The example SMD package has a base member 1201 with the reflective mode phosphor member 1202 mounted on a support member or on a base member. The laser diode device 1203 may be mounted on a support member 1204 or a base member. The support member and base members are configured to conduct heat away from the phosphor member and laser diode members. The base member is comprised of a thermally conductive material such as copper, copper tungsten, aluminum, SiC, steel, diamond, composite diamond, AIN, sapphire, or other metals, ceramics, or semiconductors. The mounting to the base member can be accomplished using a soldering or gluing technique such as using AuSn solders, SAG solders such as SAC305, lead containing solder, or indium, but can be others. In an alternative embodiment sintered Ag pastes or films can be used for the attach process at the interface. Electrical connections from the p-eleetrode and n-declxode of the laser diode are made to using wirebonds 1.205 and 1206 to internal feedthroughs 1207 and 1208. The feedthroughs are electrically coupled to external leads. The external leads can be electrically coupled to a power source to electrify the white light source and generate white light emission. The top surface of the base member 1201 may be comprised of, coated with, or filled wi th a reflective layer to prevent or mitigate any losses relating from downward directed or reflected light. In this configuration the white light source is not capped or sealed such that is exposed to the open environment. Of course, Figure 1 is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible simple configuration of a surface mount packaged white light source,

[0047] An alternative example of a packaged white light source including 2 laser diode chips according to the present invention is provided in the schematic diagram of Figure 2. in this example, a reflective mode white light source is configured in a surface mount device (SMD) type package. The example SMD package has a base member 1301 with the reflective mode phosphor member 1302 mounted on a support member or on. a base member. A first laser diode device 1323 may be mounted on a first support member 1324 or a base member.

A second laser diode device 1325 may be mounted on a second support member 1326 or a base member. The first and second support members and base members are configured to conduct heat away from the phosphor member 1302 and laser diode members 1323 and 1325. Tbe external leads can he electrically coupled to a power source to electrify the laser diode sources to emit a first laser beam 1328 from the first laser diode device 1323 and a second laser beam 1329 from a second laser diode device 1325, The laser beams are incident on the phosphor member 1302 to create an excitation spot and a white light emission The laser beams are preferably overlapped on the phosphor 1302 to create an optimized geometry and/or size excitation spot. For example, in the example according to Figure 2 the laser beams from the first and second laser diodes are rotated by 90 degrees with respect to each other such that the slow axis of the first laser beam is aligned with the fast axis of the second laser beam. The top surface of the base member 1301 may be comprised of, coated with, or filled with a reflective layer to prevent or mitigate any losses relating from downward directed or reflected light. Of course, Figure 2 is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible simple configuration of a surface mount packaged white light source .

[0048] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the CPoS white light source configured in a SMD type package, but with an additional cap member to form a seal around the White light source. As seen in Figure 3, the SMD type package has a base member 1441 with the white· light source 1442 mounted to the base. Overlying the white light source is a cap member .1443, which is attached to the base member around the peripheral. The cap member 1443 has at least a transparent window region and in preferred embodiments would be primarily comprised of a transparent window region such as the transparent dome cap illustrated in Figure 3. The transparent material can be a glass, a quartz, sapphire, silicon carbide, diamond, plastic, or any suitable transparent material. The sealing type can be an environmental seal or a hermetic seal, and in an example the sealed package is backfilled with a nitrogen gas or a combination of a nitrogen gas and an oxygen gas. Electrical connections from the p-electrode and n-electrode of the laser diode are made using wire bonds 1444 and 1445 The wirebonds connect the electrode to electrical feedthroughs 1446 and 1447 that are electrically connected to external leads such as 1448 on the outside of the sealed SMD package. The leads are then electrically coupled to a power source to electrify the white light source and generate white light emission. In some embodiments, a lens or other type of optical element to shape, direct, or collimate the white light is included directly in the cap member. Of course, the example in Figure 3 is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of sealing a white light source. Specifically, this embodiment may be suitable for applications where hermetic seals are needed.

[0049] Figure 4 is a schematic i llustration of the white light source configured in a SMD type package, but with an additional cap member to form a seal around the white light source. As seen in Figure 4, the SMD type package has a base member 1501 with the white light source comprised of a reflective mode phosphor member 1502 and a laser diode member 1503 mounted to submount members or the base member 1501. Overlying the white light source is a cap member 1504, which is attached to the base member around the sides. The cap member 1504 has at least a transparent window region and in preferred embodiments would be primarily comprised of a transparent window region such as the transparent flat cap member 1504 illustrated in Figure 4, Electrical connections iom the p-electrode and n- eleetrode of the laser diode are made using wire bonds 1505 and 1506. The wirebonds connect the electrode to electrical feedthroughs that are electrically connected: to external leads on the outside of the sealed SMD package. In some embodiments, a lens or other type of optical element to shape, direct, or collimate the white light is included directly in the cap member. Of course, the example in Figure 4 is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of sealing a white light source. [0050] In all embodiments, transmissive and reflecti ve mode, of the integrated CPoS white light source according to the present invention, safety features and design considerations can be included

[0051] In some embodiments additional optical elements are used to recycle reflected or stray excitation light. In one example, a re-imaging optic is used to re-image the reflected laser beam back onto the phosphor and hence re-cycle the reflected light.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention additional elements can be included within the package member to provide a shield or blocking function to stray or reflected light from the laser diode member. By blocking optical artifacts such as reflected excitation light, phosphor bloom patterns, or the light emitted from the laser diode not in the primary emission beam such as spontaneous light, scattered light, or light escaping a back facet the optical emission from the white light source can be more ideal for integration into lighting systems. Moreover, by blocking such stray light the integrated white light source will be inherently more safer. Finally, a shield member can act as an aperture such that white emission from the phosphor member is aperture through a hole in the shield. This aperture feature can form the emission pattern from the white source.

[0053] In many applications according to the present in vention, the packaged integrated white light source will be attached to a heat sink member. The heat sink is configured to transfer the thermal energy from the packaged white light source to a cooling medium. The Cooling medium can be an actively cooled medium such as a thermoelectric cooler or a microchannel cooler, or can be a passively cooled medium such as an air-cooled design with features to maximize surface and increase the interaction with the air such as tins, pillars, posts, sheets, tubes, or other shapes. The heat sink will typically be formed loin a metal member, but can be others such as thermally conductive eeramfes, semiconductors, or composites.

[0054] The heat sink member is configured to transport thermal energy from the packaged laser diode based white light source to a cooling medium. The heat sink member can be comprised of a metal, ceramic, composite, semiconductor, plastic and is preferably comprised of a thermally conductive material Examples of candidate materials include copper which may have a thermal conductivity of about 400 W/(m-K], aluminum which may have athermal conductivity of about 200 W/(m-K), 4H -SiC which may have a thermal conductivity of about 370 W/(m-K,), 6H-SiC which may have a thermal conductivity of about 490 W/(tmK), AIN which may have a thermal conductivity of about 230 W/(imK), a synthetic diamond which may have a thermal conductivity of about >1000 W/(m-K), a composite diamond, sapphire, or other metals, ceramics, composites, or semiconductors. The heat sink member may be formed from a metal such as copper, copper tungsten, aluminum, or other by machining, cutting, trimming, or molding. [0055] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a white light source configured in a sealed SMD mounted on a board member such as a starboard according to the present invention.

The seal ed white light source 1612 in an SMD package is similar to that example shown in Figure 4. As seen in Figure 5, the SMD type package has abase member 161 1 (i.e., the base member 1401 of F i gore 3 ) with the white light source 1612 mounted to die base and a cap member 1613 providing a seal tor the light source 1612. The cap member 1613 has at least a transparent window region. The base member 1611 of the SMD package is attached to a starboard member 1614 configured to allow el ectrical and mechanical mounting of the integrated white light source, provide electrical and mechanical interfaces to the SMD package, and supply the thermal interface to the outside world such as a heat-sink. The heat sink member 1614 can be comprised of a material such as a metal, ceramic, composite, semiconductor, or plastic and is preferably comprised of a thermally conductive material. Examples of candidate materials include aluminum, alumina, copper, _: copper tungsten, steel, SiC, AIN, diamond, a composite diamond, sapphire, or other materials, Of course, Figure 5 is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of a white light source according to the present invention mounted on a heat sink. Specifically, the heat sink could include features to help transfer heat such as fins.

[0056] In some embodiments of this invention, the CPoS integrated white light source is combined with an optical member to manipulate the generated white light In an example the white light source could serve in a spot light system such as a flashlight or an automobile headlamp or other light applications where the light must be directed or projected to a specified location or area. As an example, to direct the light it should be collimated such that the photons comprising the white light are propagating parallel to each other along die desired axis of propagation. The degree of collimation depends on the light source and the optics using ip collimate the light source. For the highest eolltmation a perfect point source of light with 4-pi emission and a sub-micron or micron-scale diameter is desirable. In one example, the point source is combined with a parabolic reflector wherein the light source is placed at the focal point of the reflector and the reflector transforms the spherical w ave generated by the poi nt source i nto a colli mated beam of plane waves propagating along an axis. j 00571 In another example a simple singular lens or system of lenses is used to collimate the white light into a projected beam. In a specific example, a single aspheric lens is place in front of the phosphor member emitting white light and configured to collimate the emitted white li ght, in ano ther embodi m ent , the lens is configured in the cap of the package containing the integrated white light source. In some embodiments, a lens or other type of optical element to shape, direct, or collimate the white light is included directly in the cap member. In an example the lens is comprised of a transparent material such as glass, SIC, sapphire, quartz, ceramic, composite, or semiconductor. fOOSSj Such white light collimating optical members can be combined with the white light source at various levels of integration. For example, the collimating optics can reside within the same package as the integrated white light source in a co-packaged configuration. in a further level of integration, the collimating optics can reside on the same submount or support member as the white light source, fit another embodiment, the collimating optics can reside outside the package containing the integrated white light source.

[0059] In one embodiment according to the present invention, a reflective mode integrated white light source is configured in a flat type package with a lens member to create a collimated white beam as illustrated in Figure 6, As seen in Figure 6, the flat type package has a base or housing member 171)1 with a collimated white light source 1702 mounted to the base and configured to create a collimated white beam to exit a window 1703 configured in the side of the base or housing member 171)1. Electrical connections to the white light source 1702 can be made with wire bonds to the feedthroughs 1704 that are electrically coupled to external pins 1705. In this example, the collimated reflective mode white light source 171)2 comprises the laser diode 1706, the phosphor wavelength converter 1707 configured to accept a laser beam emitted from the laser diode 1706, and a collimating lens such as an aspheric lens 1708 configured in front of the phosphor 171)7 to collect the emitted white light and form a collimated beam. The collimated beam is directed toward the window 1703 formed from a transparent material. The external pins 17Q5 are electrically coupled to a power source to electrify the white light source 1702 and generate white light emission. As seen in the Figure, any number of pins can he incl uded on the flat pack. In this example there are 6 pins and a typical laser diode driver only requires 2 pins, one for the anode and one for the cathode. Thus, the extra pins can be used for additional elements such as safety features like photodiodes or thermistors to monitor and help control temperature. Of course, tire example in Figure _/ 6 is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of sealing a white light source.

[0060] hi one embodiment according to the present invention, a transmissive mode integrated white light source is configured in a fiat type package with a lens member to create a coil imated white beam as illustrated in Figure 7. As seen in Figure 7, the flat ty^pe package has a base or housing member 1801 with a collimated white light source 1812 mounted to the base member 1801 and configured to create a collimated white beam to exit a window 1803 configured in the side of the base or housing member 1801 , Electrical connections to the white light source 1812 can be made with wife bonds to the feedthroughs 1804 that are electrically coupled to external pins 1805. In ; this example, the collimated transmissive mode white light source 1812 comprises the laser diode 1816, the phosphor wavelength converter 1817 configured to accept a laser beam emitted from tire laser diode 1816, and a collimating lens such as an aspheric lens 1818 configured in front of the phosphor 1817 to collect the emitted white light and form a collimated beam. The collimated beam is directed toward the window 1803 formed from a transparent material. The external pins 1805 are electrically coupled to a power source to electrify the white light source 1812 and generate white light emission. Of course, the example in Figure 7 is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of sealing a white light source.

[0061] The flat type package examples -shown in Figures 17 and 18 according to the present invention are illustrated in an unsealed configuration without a lid to show examples of internal c onfigurations . H o wever, flat packages are easily sealed with a lid or cap member. Figure S is an example of a sealed flat package with a collimated white light source inside. As seen in Figure 8, the flat type package has a base or housing member 1921 with external pins 1922 configured for electrical coupling to internal components such as the white light source, safety features, and thermistors. The sealed fiat paekage is configured with a window 1923 for the collimated white beam to exit and a lid or cap 1924 to form a seal between the external environment and the internal components. The sealing type can be an environmental seal or a hermetic seal, and in an example the sealed package is backfilled with a nitrogen gas or a combination of a nitrogen gas and an oxygen gas. [0062] In an alternative embodiment, Figure 9 provides a schematic ill ustration of the CPoS white light source configured in a TOeaii type package, but with an additional lens member configured to collimate and project the white light. The example configuration for a collimated white light from TO-can type package according to Figure 9 comprises a TO-caft base 2001 , a cap 2012 configured with a transparent window region 2013 mounted to the base 2001. The cap 2012 can be soldered, brazed, welded, or glue to the base. An aspheric lens member 2043 configured outside the window' region 2013 wherein the lens 2043 functions to capture the emitted white light passing the window, collimate the light, and then project it along the axis 2044, Of course, this is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of combining the integrated white light source according to this invention with a coilimation optic fa another example, the collimating lens could be integrated into the window member on the cap or could be included within the package member.

[0063] In an alternati ve embodiment. Figure 10 provides a schematic illustration of a white light source according to this invention configured in an SMD-type package but with an additional parabolic member configured to collimate and project the white light. The example configuration for a collimated white light from SMD-type package according to Figure 10 comprises an SMD type package 2151 comprising a based and a cap or window region and the integrated white light source 2152. The SMB package is mounted to a heat-sink member 2153 configured to transport and/or store the heat generated in the SMD package from the laser and phosphor member. A reflector member 2154 such as a parabolic reflector is configured with the white light emitting phosphor member of the white light source at or near the focal point of the parabolic reflector. The parabolic reflector functions to coll imate and proj ect the white light along the axis of projection 2155. Of course, this is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of combining the integrated white light source according to this invention with a reflector coilimation optic. In another example, the collimating reflector could be integrated into the window member of the cap or could be included within the package member. In a preferred embodiment, the reflector is integrated with or attached to the submount.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment, Figure 11 provides a schematic illustration of a whi te light source according to this invention configured in an SMD-type package, but with an additional parabolic reflector member or alternative collimating optic member such as lens or T1R optic configured to collimate and project the white light. The example configuration for a col limated white light from SMD-type package according to Figure 1 1 comprises an SMD type package 2261 comprising a based 221 1 and a cap or window region: and the integrated white laser based light source 2262, The SMD package 2261 is mounted to a starboard member 2214 con figured to allow'· e lectrical and mechanical mounting of the integrated whim light source, provide electrical and mechanical interfaces to the SMD package 2261 , and supply the thermal interface to the outside world such as a heat-sink, A reflector member 2264 such as a parabolic reflector is configured with the white light emitting phosphor member of the white l ight source at or near the focal point of the parabolic reflector. The parabolic reflector 2264 functions to collimate and project the white light along the axis of projection 2265. Of course, this is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of combining the integrated white light source according to this invention with a reflector eolliniati on optic. In another example, the collimating reflector could be integrated into the window member of the cap or could be included within the package member. The colli mating optic could be a lens member, a Tift optic member, a parabolic reflector member, or an alternative collimating : technology, or a combination. In an alternative embodiment, the reflector is integrated with or attached to the submount. i0065j In an alternative embodiment. Figure 12 provides a schematic illustration of a white light source according to this in vention configured in an SMD-type package, but wi th an additional lens member configured to collimate and project the white light. The example configuration for a collimated white light from SMD-type package according to Figure 12 comprises an SMD type package 2361 comprising a based and a cap or window region aid the integrated white light source 2362. The SMD package 2361 is mounted to a heat-sink member 2323 configured to transport and or store the heat generated in the S MD package 2361 from the laser and phosphor member. A lens member 2374 such as an aspheric lens is configured with the white light emitting phosphor member of the white light source 2362 to collect and collimate a substantial portion of the emitted white light. The lens member 2374 is supported by support members 2375 to mechanically brace the lens member 2374 in a fixed position With respect to the white light source 2362. The support members 2375 can be comprised of metals, plastics, ceramics, composites, semiconductors or other. The lens member 2374 functions to collimate and project the white light along the axis of projection 2376. Of course, this is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of combining the integrated white light source according to this invention with a reflector collimation optic. In another example, the collimating reflector could be integrated into the window member of the cap or coul d be included within the package member. In a preferred embodiment, the reflector is integrated with dr attached to the submouni

[0066] fo an embodiment according to the present invention, Figure 13 provides a schematic illustration of a white light source according to this invention configured in an SMD-type package, but with an additional lens member and reflector member configured to collimate and project the white light. The example configuration fi>r a collimated white light from SMD-type package according to Figure 13 comprises an SMD type package 2461 comprising a based and a cap or window region and the integrated white light source 2462 _* The SM D package 2461 is mounted to a heat-sink member 2483 configured to transport and/or store the heat generated in the SMD package 2461 from the laser and phosphor member, A lens member 2484 such as an aspheric lens is configured with the White light source 2462 to collect and collimate a substantial portion of the emitted white light A reflector housing member 2485 or lens member 2484 i s configured between the white light source 2462 and the lens member 2484 to reflect any stray light or light (that would nototherwise reach the lens member) into the lens member for eollimaiion and contribution to the collimated beam. In one embodiment the lens member 2484 is supported by the reflector housing member 2485 to mechanically brace the lens member 2484 in a fixed position with respect to the white light source 2462, The lens member 2484 functions to collimate and proj ect the white light al ong the axis of projection 2486. Of course, this is merely an example and is intended to illustrate one possible configuration of combining the integrated white light source according to this invention with a reflector collimation optic, In another example, the collimating reflector could be integrated into the window member of the cap or could: be included within the package member in a preferred embodiment, the reflector is integrated with or attached to the submount.

[0067] Laser device plus phosphor excitation sources integrated in packages such as an SMD can be attached to an external board to alow electrical and mechanical mounting of packages. In addition to providing electrical and mechanical interfaces to the SMD package, these boards also supply the thermal interface to the outside world such as a heat-sink. Such boards can also provide for improved handling for small packages such as an SMD (typically less than 2 cm * 2 cm) during final assembly.

[0068] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a waveguide-coupled white light system based oh integrated laser-induced white light source. Figure 14 show's a simplified block diagram of a functional waveguide-coupled white light system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art; would recognize many variations, alternatives, and Modifications·. As shown, the waveguide-coupled white light system 2500 includes a white light source 2510 and a waveguide 2520 coupled to ft to deliver the white light for various applications. In some embodiments, the white light source 2510 is a laser-based white light source including at least one laser device 2502 configured to emit a laser light with a blue wavelength in a range from about 385 run to about 495 run.

Optionally, the at least one laser device 2502 is a laser diode (LD) chip configured as a ehip- on-submount (CoS) form having a Gallium and Nitrogen containing emitting region operating in a first wavelength selected from 395nm to 42Snm wavelength range, 425nm to 49½m wavelength range, and 49(inm to 5S0nm range. Optionally, the laser device 2502 is configured as a chip-on- suhmount (CoS) structure based on lifted off and transferred epitaxial gallium and nitrogen containing layers. Optionally* the at least one laser device 2502 includes a set of multiple laser diode (LD) chips. Each includes an GaN-based emission stripe configured to be driven by independent driving current or voltage from a laser driver to emit a laser light. All emitted laser light from the multiple LD chips can be combined to one beam of electromagnetic radiation. Optionally, the multiple LD chips me blue laser diodes with an aggregated output power of less than I W, or about 1 W to about l O W, or about 10W to about 3QW, or about 30W to 100 W, or greater. Optionally, each emitted light is driven and guided separately.

[0069] In some embodiments, the laser-based waveguide-coupled white light system 2500 further includes a phosphor member 2503. Optionally, the phosphor member 2503 is mounted on a remote/separate support member eo-paekaged within the white light source 2510, Optionally, the phosphor member 2503 is mounted on a common support member with the laser device 2502 in a ehip-and-phosphor-on-submount (CPoS) structure. The phosphor member 2503 comprises a flat surface or a pixelated surface disposed at proximity of the laser device 2502 in a certain geometric configuration so that the beam of

electromagnetic radiation emitted from the laser device 2502 can land in a spot on the excitation surface of the phosphor member 2503 with a spot size limited its a range of about 50 mm to 5 mm

[0070] Optionally, the phosphor member 2503 is comprised of a ceramic yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) doped with Ce or a single crystal YAG doped with Ce or a powdered YAG comprising a binder material. The phosphor plate has air optical conversion efficiency of greater than SO lumen per optical watt, greater than 100 lumen per optical watt, greater than 200 lumen per optical watt, or greater than 300 lumen per optical watt.

[0071] Optionally, the phosphor member 2503 is comprised of a single crystal plate or ceramic plate selected from a Lanthanum Silicon Nitride compound and Lanthanum aluminum Silicon Nitrogen Oxide compound containing Ce ^3÷ ions atomic concentration ranging from 0.01% to 10%.

[0072] Optionally, the phosphor member 2503 absorbs the laser emission of

electromagnetic radiation of the first wavelength in violet, blue (or green) spectrum to induce a phosphor emission of a second wavelength in yellow spectra range. Optionally, the phosphor emission of the second wavelength is partially m ixed with a portion of the ineoming/refieeting laser beam of electromagnetic radiation of the first wavelength to produce a white light beam to form a laser induced white light source 2510. Optionally, the laser beam emitted from the laser device 2502 is configured with a relative angle of beam incidence with respect to a direction of the excitation surface of the phosphor member 2503 in a range from 5 degrees to 90 degrees to land in the spot; on the excitation surface.

Optionally, the angle of laser beam incidence is narrowed in a smaller range from 25 degrees to 35 degrees or from 35 degrees to 40 degrees. Optionally, the white light emission of the white light source 2530 is substantially reflected out of the same side of the excitation surface (or pixelated surface) of the phosphor member 2503 Optionally, the white light emission of the white light source 2510 can also be transmitted through the phosphor member 2503 to exit from another surface opposite to the excitation surface. Optionally, the white light emission reflected or transmitted from the phosphor member is redirected or shaped as a white light beam used for various applications. Optionally, the white light emission out of the phosphor material can be in a luminous flux of at least 250 lumens, at least 500 lumens, at least 1000 lumens, at least 3000 lumens, or at least 10,000 lumens. Alternatively, the white light emission out of the white light system 2500 with a luminance of 100 to 500 ed/mm ² ,

500 to lOGQcd/mnr, 1000 to 2000 cd/mm ² , 2000 to 5000 ed/mm ² , and greater than 5000 cd ^' mnr.

[0073] In some embodiments, the white light source 2510 that eo-packages the laser device 2502 and the phosphor member 2503 is a surface-mount device (SMD) package. Optionally, the SMD package is hermetically sealed. Optionally, the common support member is provided for supporting the laser device 2502 and the phosphor member 2503. Optionally, the common support member provides a heat sink configured to provide thermal impedance of less than 10 degrees Celsius per watt, an electronic board configured to prov ide electrical connections for the laser device, a driver for modulating the laser emission, and sensors associated with the SMD package to monitor temperature and optical power. Optionally, the electronic board is configured to provi de electri cal contact for anode(s) and cathodef s} of the SMD package. Optionally, the electronic board may include or embed a driver for providing temporal modulation for applications related to communication such as LiFi tree-space light communication, and/or data communications using optic fiber. Or, the driver may be configured to provide temporal modulation for applications related to LiDAR remote sensing to measure distance, generate 3D images, or other enhanced 2D imaging techniques.

Optionally, the sensors include a thermistor for monitor temperatures and photodetectors for providing alarm or operation condition signaling. Optionally, the sensors include fiber sensors. Optionally, the electronic board has a lateral dimension of 50 ram of smaller.

[0074] In some embodiments, the white light source 2510 includes one or more optics members to process the white light emission out of tire phosphor member 2503 either in reflection mode or transmissive mode. Optionally, the one or more optics members include lenses with high numerical apertures to capture Lambertian emission (primarily for the white light emission out. of the surface of the phosphor member 2503. Optionally, the one or more optics members include reflectors such as mirrors, M:EMS devices, or other light deflectors. Optionally, the one or more optics members include a combination of lenses and reflectors (including total -intemal-reflector). Optionally, each or al l of the one or more optics members is configured to be less than 50 mra in dimension for ultra-compact packaging solution.

[0075] In some embodiments, the laser-based waveguide-coupled white light system 2500 also includes a waveguide device 2520 coupled to the white light source 2510 to deliver a beam of white light emission to a light head module at a remote destination or directly serve as a light releasing device in various lighting applications. In an embodiment, the waveguide device 2520 is an optical fiber to deliver the white light emission: from a first end to a second end at a remote site. Optionally, the optical fiber is comprised of a single mode fiber (SMF) or a multi-mode fiber (MMF). Optionally, the fiber is a glass communication fiber with core diameters ranging from about him to I Gum, about l Oum to 5 Gum, about 50iim to I SQum about 150um to SOOum, about 50Gum to 1mm, or greater than t mm, yielding greater than 90% per meter transmissivity. The optical core material of the fiber may consist of a glass such as silica glass wherein the silica glass could he doped with various consti tuents and have a predetermined level of hydroxyl groups (OH) for an optimized propagation loss

characteristic. The glass liber material may also be comprised of a fluoride glass, a phosphate glass, or a chaieogenide glass. In an alternative embodiment, a plastic optical fiber is used to transport the white light emission, with greater than 50% per meter transmissivity,

In another alternative embodiment, the optical fiber is comprised of lensed fiber which optical lenses structure built in the fiber core for guiding the electromagnetic radiation inside the fiber through an arbitrary length required to deliver the white light emission to a remote destination, Optionally _; , the fiber is set in a S-dimensional (3D) setting that fits in different lighting application designs along a path of deli vering the white light emission to the remote destination. Optionally, the waveguide device 2520 is a planar waveguide (such as semiconductor waveguide formed in silicon wafer) to transport the light in a 21 ⁾ setting.

104)761 In another embodiment, the waveguide device 252(1 is configured to be a distributed light source. Optionally, the waveguide device 2520 is a waveguide Or a fiber that allows light to be scattered out of its outer surface at least partially. In one embodiment the waveguide device 2520 includes a leaky fiber to directly release the white light emission via side scattering out of the outer surface of the, fiber. Optionally, the leaky fiber has a certain length depending on applications. Within the length, the white light emission coupled in from the white light source 2510 is substantially leaked out of the fiber as an illumination source. Optionally, the leaky fiber is a directional side scattering fiber to provide preferential illumination in a particular angle. Optionally, the leaky fiber provides a flexible 3D setting for different 3D illumination lighting applications. Optionally, the waveguide device 2520 is a form of leaky waveguide formed in a flat panel substrate that provides a 2D patterned illumination in specific 2D lighting applications,

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, the waveguide device 2520 is a leaky fiber that is directly coupled with the laser device to couple a laser light in blue spectrum. Optionally, the leaky fiber is coated or doped with phosphor material in or on surface to induce different colored phosphor emission and to modify colors of light emi tted through the phosphor material coated thereover,

[0078] In a specific embodiment, as shown In FIG. 14A , the laser-based fiber-coupled white light system includes one white light so urce coupling a beam of white light emission Into a section of fiber, Optionally, the white light source is in a SMD package that holds at least a laser device and a phosphor member supported on a common support member. The. common support member nlay be configured as a heat sink coupled with an electronic boardhaving _: an external electrical connection (E-connection) The SMD package may also be configured to hold one or more optics members for collimating and focusing the emitted white light emission out of the phosphor member to an input end of the second of fiber and transport the white light to an output end. Optionally, referred to FIG. 14A, the white light source is in a package having a cubic shape of with a compact dimension of about 60 ma. The E-connection is provided at one (bottom) side while the input end of the fiber is coupled to an opposite (front) side of the package. Optionally, the output end of the fiber, after an arbitrary length, includes an optical connector. Optionally, the optical connector is just at a middle point, instead of the output end, of the fiber and another section of fiber w ith a mated connector (not shown) may be included to further transport the white light to the output end. Thus, the fiber becomes a detachable fiber, convenient for making the laser-based fiber- coupled white light system a modular form that includes a white light source module separately and detachably coupled with a light head module. For example, a SMA-905 type connector is used. Optionally, the electronic hoard also includes a driver configured to modulate (at least temporarily the laser emission for LiEi communication or for liDAR remote sensing.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment, the laser-based fiber coupled white light system includes a white light source in SMD package provided to couple one white light emission to split into multiple fibers. In yet another alternative embodiment, the laser-based fiber- coupled white light: system includes multiple SMD-packaged white light sources coupling a. combined beam of the white light emission into one fiber.

[0080] In an embodiment, the laser-based fiber-coupled white light system 2500 includes one white light source 2510 in SMD package coupled with two detachable sections of fibers joined by an optical connector. Optionally, SMA, F€, Or other Optical Connectors can be used, such as SMA-905 type connecter,

[0081] Optionally, the fiber 2520 includes additional optical elements at the second end for collimating or shaping or generating patterns of exiting white light emission in a cone angle of 5 - 50 degrees. Optionally, the fiber 2520 is provided with a numerical aperture of 0.05 - 0.7 and a diameter of less than 2 mm for flexibility and low-eost, [0082] In an embodiment, the white light source 2510 can be made as one package selected from several different types of integrated laser-induced white light sources shown from Figure 3 through Figure 13, Optionally, the package is provided with a dimension of 60 mm for compactness. T he package provides a mechanical frame for housing and fixing the SMD packaged white light source, phosphor members, electronic board, one or more optics members, etc., and optionally integrated with a driver. The phosphor member 2503 in the white light source 2510 can be set as either reflective mode or transmissive mode.

Optionally, the laser device 2502 is mounted in a mounted in a surface mount-type package and sealed with a cap member. Optionally, the laser device 2502 is mounted in a surface mount package mounted onto a starboard. Optionally, the laser device 2502 is mounted in a flat-type package with a collimating optic member coupled. Optionally, the laser device 2502 is mounted in a flat-type package and sealed with a cap member. Optionally , the laser device 2502 is mounted in a can-type package with a collimating lens. Optionally, the laser device 2502 is mounted in a surface mount type package mounted on a heat sink with a collimating reflector. Optionally, the laser device 2502 is mounted in a surface mount type package mounted on a starboard with a collimating reflector. Optionally, the laser device 2502 is mounted in a surface mount type package mounted on a heat sink with a collimating lens. Optionally, the laser device 2502 is mounted in a surface mount type package mounted on a heat sink with a collimating lens and reflector member

[0083] M any benefits and applications can be yielded out of the lasen-based fiber-coupled white tight system, For example, it is used as a distributed light source with thin plastic optical fiber for low-cost white fiber lighting, including daytime running lights for car headlights, interior lighting for cars, outdoor lighting in cities and shops. Alternatively, it can be used for communications and data centers. Also, a new linear light source is provided as a light wire with < 1mm in diameter, producing either white light or RGB color light.

Optionally, the linear light source is provided with a laser-diode plus phosphor source to provide white light to enter the fiber that is a leaky fiber to distribute side scattered white light. Optionally, the linear light source is coupled RGB laser light in the fiber that is directly leak side-scattered RGB colored light. Optionally, the linear light source is configured to couple a blue laser light in the fiber that is coated with phosphor material(s) to allow·' laser- pum ped p h osphor era i ss ion be si de-scattered out of th e outer surface of the fiber.

Analogously, a 2D patterned light source can be formed with either arranging the linear fiber into a 2D setting or using 2D solid-state wa veguides instead formed on a planar substrate. [0084] In an alternative embodiment, Figure 15 shows a simplified block diagram of a functional laser based waveguide -coupled white light system 2600. The laser-based waveguide-coupled white light system 2600 includes a white light source 2610, substantially similar to the white light source 2510 shown in FIG, 14, having at least one laser device 2602 configured to emit blue spectrum laser beam of a first wavelength to a phosphor member 2603. The at least one laser device 2602 is driven by a laser driver 2601. The laser driver

2601 generates a drive current adapted to drive one or more laser diodes. In a specific embodiment, the laser dri ver 2601 is configured to generate pulse-modulated signal at a frequency range of about 50 to 300 MHz, The phosphor member 2603 is substantially the same as the phosphor member 2503 as a wavelength con verter and emitter being excited by die laser beam from the at least one laser device 2602 to produce a phosphor emission with a second wa velength in yellow spectrum, The phosphor member 2603 may be packaged together with the laser device 2602 in a CPoS structure on a common support member. The phosphor emission is partially mixed with the laser beam with the first wavelength in violet or blue spectrum to produce a white light emission. Optionally, the waveguide-coupled white light system 2600 includes an laser-induced white light source 2610 containing multiple laser diode devices 2602 in a co-package with a phosphor member 2603 and driven by a driver module 2601 to emit a laser light of 1W, 2 W, 3 W, 4W, 5W or more power each, to produce brighter white light emission of combined power of 6W, or 1:2 W, or 15 W, or more.

Optionally, the white light emission out of the laser-induced white light source with a luminance of 100 to 500 cdtmm ² , 500 to lOOOcdrinm ² , 1000 to 2000 cd/rnra ² , 2000 to 5000 cd/tnnri, and greater than 5000 cd/mnri. Optionally, the white light emission is a reflective mode emission out of a spot of a size greater than 5 union an excitation surface of the phosphor member 2603 based on a configuration that the laser beam from the laser device

2602 is guided to the excitation surface of the phosphor member 2603 with an off-normal angle of incidence ranging between 0 degrees and 89 degrees.

[0085] In the embodiment, the laser-based waveguide-coupled white light system 2600 further includes an optics member 2620 configured to collimate and focus the white light emission out of the phosphor member 2603 of the white light source 2610. Furthermore, the laser-based waveguide-coupled white light system 2600 includes a waveguide device or assembly 2630 configured to couple with the optics member 2620 receive the focused white light emission with at least 20%, _: 40%, 60%, or 80% coupling efficiency. The waveguide device 2630 serves a trans port member to deliver the white light to a remo tely set device or light head module. Optionally, the waveguide device 2630 serves an illumination member to direct perform light illumination function. Preferably, the waveguide device 2630 is a fiber. Optionally, the waveguide device 2630 includes all of the types of fiber, including single mode fiber, multiple module, polarized fiber, leaky fiber, lapsed fiber, plastic fiber, etc..

[0086] f igure 16 sho ws a simplifi ed block diagram of a laser-based waveguide-coupled white light system 2700 according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown _* a laser-based white light source 2710 including a laser device 2702 driven by a driver module 2701 to emit a laser beam of electromagnetic radiation with a first wavelength in violet or blue spectrum range. The electromagnetic radiation with the first wavelength is landed to an excitation surface of a phosphor member 2703 co-packaged with the laser device 2702 in a CPoS structure in the white light source 2710. The phosphor member 2703 serves as a wavelength converter and an emitter to produce a phosphor emission with a second wavelength hi yellow spectrum range which is partially mixed with the electromagnetic radiation of the first wavelength to produce a white light emission reflected out of a spot on the excitation surface. Optionally, the laser device 2702 includes one or more laser diodes containing gallium and nitrogen in active region to produce laser of the first wavelength in a range from 385 nm to 495 m Optionally, the one or more laser diodes are dri ven by the driver module 2701 and laser emission from each laser diode is combined to he guided to the excitation surface of the phosphor member 2703. Optionally, the phosphor member 2703 comprises a phosphor material characterized by a wavelength- conversion efficiency, a resistance to thermal damage, a resistance to optical damage, a thermal quenching characteristic, a porosity to scatter excitation light, and a thermal conductivity, in a preferred embodiment the phosphor material is comprised of a yel low emitting YAG material doped with Ce with a conversion efficiency of greater than 100 lumens per optical watt, greater than 200 lumens per optical watt, or greater than 300 lumens per optical watt, and can be a polyerystalline ceramic material or a single crystal materi ah

[0087] In the embodiment, the laser device 2702, the diver module 2710, and the phosphor member 2703 are mounted on a support member containing or in contact with a heat sink member 2740 configured to conduct heat generated by the laser device 2702 during laser emission and the phosphor member 2703 during phosphor emission. Optionally, the support member is comprised of a thermally conductive material such as copper with a thermal conductivityof about 400 W/(.m-K), aluminum with a tbennal conductivity of about 200 W/(m K), 4H-S1C with a thermal conductivity of about 370 W/(m K), όH-SiC with a thermal conductivity of about 490 W/(m-K), AIN with a thermal conductivity of about 230 W/(m·K), a synthetic diamond with a thermal conductivity of about >1000 W/(m·K), sapphire, or other metals, ceramics, or semiconductors. Optionally, the support member is a High Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (HTCC) submount structure configured to embed electrical conducting wires therein. This type of ceramic support member provides high thermal conductivity for efficiently dissipating heat generated by the laser device 2702 and the phosphor member 2703 to a heatsink that is made to contact with the support member. Electrical pins are configured to connect external power with conducting wires embedded in the HTTC ceramic submount structure for providing drive signals for the laser device 2702. Each of the laser diodes is configured on a single ceramic or multiple chips on a ceramic, which are disposed on the heat sink member 2740.

[0088] In the embodiment, the laser-based waveguide-coupled white light source 2700 includes a package holding the one or more laser diodes 2702, the phosphor member 2703, the driver module 2701, and a heat sink member 2740. Optionally, the package also includes or couples to all free optics members 2720 such as couplers, collimators, mirrors, and more. The optics members 270 are configured spatially with optical alignment to couple the white light emission out of the excitation surface of the phosphor member 2703 or refocus the white light emission into a waveguide 2730. Optionally, the waveguide 2730 is a fiber or a waveguide medium formed on a fiat panel substrate.

[0089] in the embodiment, the laser-based waveguide-coupled white light source 2700 further includes an optics member 2720 for coupling the white light emission out of the white light source 2710 to a waveguide device 2730, Optionally, the optics member 2720 includes free-space collimation lens, mirrors , locus lens, Fiber adaptor, or others. Optionally, the waveguide device 2730 includes flat-panel waveguide formed on a substrate or optical fibers. Optionally, the optical fiber includes single-mode fiber, multi-mode fiber, lensed fiber, leaky fiber, or others. Optionally, the waveguide device 2730 is configured to deliver the white light emission to a lighthead member 2740 which re- shapes and projects the white light emission to different kinds of light beams for various illumination applications. Optionally, the waveguide device 2730 itself serves an illumination source or elements being integrated in the lighthead member 2740.

[0090] Figure 17 show a comprehensive diagram of a laser-based waveguide-coupled white light system 2800 according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 17, the laser-based waveguide-coupled white light system 2800 includes a laser device 2802 configured as one or more laser diodes (LDs) mounted on a support member and driven by a driver 2801 to emit a beam of laser electromagnetic radiation characterised by a first wavelength ranging from 395 nm to 490 nm. The support member is formed or made in contact with a heat sink 2810 for sufficiently transporting thermal energy released during laser emission by the LDs. Optionally, the laser-based waveguide-coupled white light system 2800 includes a fiber for collecting the laser electromagnetic radiation with at least 20%, 40%, 00%, or 80% coupling efficiency and deliver it to a phosphor 2804 in a certain angular relationship to create laser spot on an excitation surface of the phosphor 2804. The phosphor 2804 also serves an emitter to convert the incoming laser

electromagnetic radiation to a phosphor emission with a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength. Optionally, the phosphor 2804 is also mounted or made in contact with the heat sink 2810 common to the laser device 2802 in a CPoS structure to allow heat due to laser emission and wavelength conversion being properly released. Optionally, a blocking member may be installed to prevent leaking out the laser eleetromagnetic radiation by direct reflection from the excitation surface of the phosphor 2804.

[0091 ] in the embodiment, a combination of laser emission of the laser device 2802, the angular relationship between the fiber-deli vered laser electromagnetic radiation and the excitation surface of the phosphor 2804, and the phosphor emission out of the spot on the excitation surface leads to at least a partial mixture of the phosphor emission with the laser electromagnetic radiation, which produces a white light emission. In the embodiment, the laser-based wavegnide-eoupled white light system 2800 includes an optics member 2820 configured to collimate and focus the white light emission into a waveguide 2830.

Optionally, the optics member 2820 is configured to couple the white light emission info the waveguide 2830 with at least 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80% coupling efficiency. Optionally, the optics member 2820 includes ftee-space collimation lens, mirrors, focus lens, fiber adaptor, or others. Optionally, a non-transparent boot cover structure may be installed to reduce light loss to environment or causing unwanted damage.

[0092] In the embodiment, the laser-based waveguide-coupled white light source 2800 further includes a lighthead member 2840 coupled to the waveguide 283(1 to receive the white light emission therein. Optionally, the waveguide 2830 includes flat-panel waveguide formed on a substrate or optical fibers. Optionally, the optical fiber includes single-mode fiber, multi-mode fiber, lensed fiber, leaky fiber, or others. Optionally, the waveguide 2830 is configured to deliver the white light emission to the lighthead member 2840 which is disposed at a remote location convenient for specific: applications. The lighthead member 2840 is configured to amplify, re-shape, and project the collected white light emission to different kinds of light beams for various illumination applications. Optionally, the waveguide 2830 itself serves an illumination source or element being integrated in the lighthead member 2840.

[0093] Figure 18 is a simplified diagram of A) a l aser-based fiber-coupled white light system based oh surface mount device (SMD) white light source and B) a laser-based fiber- coupled white light system with partially exposed SMD white light source according to an embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims, As shown, the laser-hased fiber-coupled white light system 2900 is based on a laser-induced white light source 2910 configured in a surface- mount device· (SMD) package. In some embodiments, the laser-induced white light source 2910 is provided as one selected from the SMD-packaged laser-based white light sources shown in Figure 3 through Figure 13, and configured to produce a white light emission with a luminance of 100 to 500 cd/mm ² , 500 to 1000 cd/mm ² , 1000 to 2000 cd/mm ² 2000 to 5000 cd/mm ² , and greater than 5000 cd-mm ²

[0094] In an embodiment shown in FIG, 18, a lens structure 2920 is integrated with the SMD-packaged white light source 2910 and configured to collimate and focus the white light emission outputted by the white light source 2910. Optionally, tire lens structure 2920 is mounted on top of the SMD-paekage. Optionally, the waveguide-coupled white light system 2900 includes a cone shaped boot cover 2950 and the lens structure 2920 is configured to have its peripheral being fixed to the boot cover 2950. The boot cover 2950 also is used for fixing a fiber 2940 with an end facet 2930 inside the boot cover 2950 to align with the fens structure 2920 A geometric combination of the lens structure 2920 and the cone shaped boot structure 2950 provides a physical alignment between the end facet 2930 of the fiber 2940 and die lens structure 2920 to couple the white light emission Into the fiber with at least 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80% coupling efficiency, The fiber 2940 is then provided tor delivering the white light emission for illumination applications. Optionally, the boot cover 2950 is made by non-transparent solid material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic, or other suitable material&

[0095] Figure 19 is a simplified diagram of a fiber-delivered-laser-induced fiber-coupled white light system based on fiber-in and fiber-out configuration according to another embodi ment of the present invention. In the embodiment, the fiber-dehvered-laser-induced fiber-coupled white light system 3000 includes a phosphor plate 3014 mounted on a heat sink: support member 3017 which is remoted from a laser device. The phosphor plate 3014 is configured as a wavelength converting material and an emission source to receive a laser beam 3013 generated by the laser device and delivered via a first optical fiber 3010 and exited a first fiber end 3012 in an angled configuration (as shown in FKb 19) to land on a surface spot 3015 of the phosphor plate 3014. The laser beam 3013 includes electromagnetic radiation substantially at a first wavelength in violet or blue spectrum range from 385 nm to 495 ma. The laser beam 3013 exits the fiber end 3012 with a confined beam divergency to land in the surface spot 3015 where it is absorbed at least partially by the phosphor member 3914 and converted to a phosphor emission with a second wavelength substantially in yellow spectrum. At least partially, the phosphor emission is mixed with the laser beam 3013 exited from the first fiber end 3012 or reflected by the surface of the phosphor plate 3014 to produce a white light emission 3016. The white light emission 3016 is outputted substantially in a reflection mode from the surface of the phosphor plate 30.14

[ 0096] In an embodiment, the fiber-delivered-Iaser-induced fiber-coupled white light system 3000 further includes a lens 3020 configured to collimate and focus the white light emission 3016 to a second end facet 3032 of a second opticaT fiber 3030. The lens 3020 is mounted inside a boot cover structure 3050 and has its peripheral fixed to the inner side of the hoot cover structure 3050. Optionally, the boot cover structure 3050 has a downward cone shape with bigger opening coupled to the heat sink support member 3017 and a smaller top to allow the second optical fiber 3030 to pass through. The second optical fiber 3030 is fixed to the smaller top of the boot cover structure 3050 with a section of fiber left inside thereof and the second end facet 3032 substantially aligned with the lens 3020, The lens 3020 is able to focus the white light em ission 3016 into the second end facet 3032 of the second optical fiber 3030 with at least 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80% coupling efficiency. The second optical fiber 3020 can have arbitrary length to either deliver the white light emission coupled therein to a remote destination or functionally serve as an illumination element for direct lighting. For example, the second optical fiber 3030 is a leaky fiber that directly serves as an illumination element by side-scattering the light out of its outer surface either uniformly or restricted in a specific angle range.

[0097] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of a l eaky fiber used tor a laser-based fiber- coupled white light system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the optical fiber 3030 can be chosen from a leaky fiber that allows electromagnetic radiation coupled therein to leak out via a side firing effect like an illuminating filament. As shown in FIG. 20, a section 3105 of the leaky fiber 3101 allows radiation 3106 to leak from the fiber core 3104 through the cladding 3103. A buffer 3102 is a transparent material covering the cladding 3103. The radiation 3106 is leaked out

substantially in a direc tion normal to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber 3101.

[0098] Figure 21 is an exemplary image of a leaky fiber with a plurality of holes in fiber core according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG, 21, a polymer fiber is provided with a plurality of air bubbles formed in its core. The air bubbles act as light scattering centers to induce leaking from the fiber sidewalls.

[0099] In some embodiments, each of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light systems described herein includes a white light emitter (such as phosphor-based emitter to convert a laser radiation with a first wavelength to a phosphor emission with a second wavelength) and a fiber configured to couple the emission from the white light emitter with high efficiency. Some assumptions can be laid out to calculate some fundamental features of the light capture requirement for the system. For example, the white light, emitter is assumed to be a

Lambertian emitter. Figure 22 shows light capture rate for Lambertian emitters according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a first plot shows relative intensity versus geometric angle of the Lambertian emission comparing with a non-Lambertian emission. A full-width half maximum ( FWHM) of the spectrum is at -120 degrees (-60 deg to 60 deg) for the Lambertian emission. A second plot shows relative cumulated flux versus a half of cone angle for light capture. Apparently, with a FWHM cone angle of 120 deg.,

60% of light of the Lambertian emi ssion can be captured. Optionally, all the white emissions out of the phosphor surface in either a reflective mode or transmissive mode in the present disclosure are considered to be substantially Lambertian emission.

[0100] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fiber delivered automobile headlight, Figure 23 shows a schematic functional diagram of the fiber delivered automobile headlight 3400 comprised of a high luminance white light source 3410 that is efficiently coupled into a waveguide 3430 that used to deliver the white light to a final headlight module 3420 that collimates the light and shapes it onto the road to achieve the desired light pattern. The white light source 3410 is based on laser device 3412 configured to generate a blue laser outputted from a laser chip containing gallium and nitride material. The blue laser generated by the laser chip is led to a phosphor device 3414 integrated with optical beam collimation and shaping elements to excite a white light emission. Optionally, the white light source 3410 is a laser-based SMD-packaged white fight source (LaserLight-SMD offered by Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.), substantially selected from one of multiple SMD-package white light sources described in Figs. 14 through 24. Optionally, the waveguide 3430 is an optical transport fiber. Optionally, the headlight module 3420 is configured to deliver 33% or 50% or more fight from source 3410 to the road. In an example, the white light source 3410, based on etendue conservation and lumen budget from source to road and Lambertian emitter assumption of FIG. 22, is characterized by about 1570 lumens (assuming 60% optical efficiency for coupling the white light emission into a fiber), 120 deg FWFIM cone angle, about 0.33 nun source diameter for the white light emission. In the example, the transport fiber 3430 applied in the fiber-delivered headlight 3400 is characterized by 942 lumens assuming 4 uncoated surfaces with about 4% loss in headlight module 3420, about 0.39 numerical aperture and cone angle of -40 deg, and about 1 nun fiber diameter. Additionally, in the example, tire headlight module 3420 of the fiber-delivered headlight 3400 is configured to deliver light to tire road with 800 lumens output in total efficiency of greater than 35%, +/- 5 deg vertical and +/- 10 deg horizontal beam divergency, and having 4x4 mm in size.

Optionally, each individual element above is modular and can be duplicated for providing either higher lumens or reducing each individual lumen setting white increasing numbers of modules.

[0101] In another example, four SMD-packaged white light sources, each providing 400 lumens, can be combined in the white light source 3410 to provide at least 1570 lumens. The transport fiber needs for separate sections of fibers respectively guiding the white light emission to four headlight modules 3420, each outputing 200 lumens, with a combined size of 4x16 mm. in yet another example, each white light source 3410 yields about 0.625 rant diameter for the white light emission. While, the fiber 3430 can be chosen to have 0.50 numerical aperture, cone angle of -50 deg, and 1.55 mm fiber diameter. In this example, the headlight module 3420 is configured to Output light in 800 lumens to the road with total efficiency of greater than 35% and a size as small as -7,5mm.

[0102] In an embodiment, the design of the fiber delivered automobile headlight 3400 is modular and therefore can produce the required amount of light for low beam and/or high beam in a miniature Headlight Module footprint. An example of a high luminance white light source 3410 is the LaserLight-SMD packaged white light source which contains 1 or more high-power laser diodes (LDs) containing gallium-and-nitrogen -based emitters, producing 500 lumens to thousands of lumens per device. For example, low beams require 600-800 lumens on the road, and typical headlight opties/reflectors have 35% or greater, or 50% or greater optical throughput. High luminance light sources are required for long-range visibility from small optics. For example, based on recent driving speeds and safe stopping distances, a range of 800 meters to 1 km is possible from 200 lumens on the road using an optics layout smaller than 35 tftm with source luminance of 1000 cd per mm ² . Using higherluminance light sources allows one to achieve longer-range visibility for the same optics size. High luminance is required to produce shaip light gradients and the specific regulated light patterns lor automotive lighting. Moreover, using a waveguide 3430 such as an optical fiber, extremely shaip light gradients and ultra-safe glare reduction can be generated by reshaping and projecting the decisive light cutoff that exists from core to cladding in the light emission profile. As a result, the fiber delivered automobile headlight 3400 is configured to minimize glare and maximize safety and visibility for the car driver and others including oncoming traffic, pedestrians, animals, and drivers headed in the same direction traffic ahead.

[0103] Color uniformity from typical white LEDs are blue LED pumped phosphor sources, and therefore need careful integration with special reflector design, diffuser, and/or device design. Similarly, typical blue laser excited yellow phosphor needs managed with special reflector design. In an embodiment of the present invention, spatially homogenous white light is achieved by mixing of the light In the waveguide, such as a multimode fiber. In this ease, a diffuser is typically not needed. Moreover, one can avoid costly and time-consuming delays associated with color uniformity tuning redesign of phosphor composition, or of reflector designs.

[0104] Laser pumped phosphors used in the laser-based fiber-delivered automobile headlight 3400 are broadband solid-state light sources and therefore featured the same benefits of LEDs, but with higher luminance. Direct emitting lasers such as R-G-B lasers are not safe to deploy onto the road since R-G-B sources leave gaps in the spectrum that would leave common roadside targets such as yellow or orange with insufficient reflection back to the eye. The present design is cost effective since it utilizes a high-luminance white light source with basic macro-optics, a low-cost transport fiber, and low-cost small macro-optics to product a miniature headlight module 3420. Because of the remote nature of the light sources 3410, the white light source 3410 can be mounted onto a pre-existing heat sink with adequate thermal mass that is located anywhere in the vehicle, eliminating the need for heat sink in the headlight. [015 ] In an embodiment, mini ature optics member of < 1 cm diameter in the headlight module 3420 can be utilized to capture nearly 100% of the white light front the transport fiber 3430. Using the optics member, the white light can be collimated and shaped with tiny diffusers or simple optical elements to produce the desired beam pattern on the road. This miniature size also enables low cost abi lity to swivel the light for glare mitigation, and small form factor for enhanced aerodynamic performance. Figure 23A shows an example of an automobile with multiple laser-based fiber-delivered headlight modules installed in front. As seen, each headlight module has much smaller form factor than conventional auto headlamp. Each headlight module can be independently operated with high-luminance output. Figure 23B shows an example of several laser-based fiber-delivered automotive headlight modules installed in front panel of car. Thesmall form factor (< 1 cm) of the headlight module allo w it to be designed to become hidden in the grill pattern of ear front panel. Each headlight module includes one or more optics members to shape, redirect, and project the white light beam to a specific shape with controls on direction and luminous flux.

[01116] For many vehicles, it is desired to have extremely small optics sizes for styling of the vehicle. Using higher luminance light sources allows one to achieve smaller optics sizes for the same range of visibility. This design of the laser-based fiber-delivered automobile headlight 3400 allows one to integrate the headlight module 3420 into the front grill structure, onto wheel cover, into seams between the hood and front bumper, etc. The headlight module 3420 can be extremely low mass and lightweight, adapting to a minimized weight in the front of the car, contributing to safety, fuel economy, and speed/acceleration performance. For electric vehicles, this translates to increased vehicle range. Moreover, the decoupled fiber delivered architecture use pre-existing heat sink thermal mass already in vehicle, further minimizing the weight in the car.

[0107] This headlight 3400 is based on solid-state light source, and has long lifetime > 10,000 hours. Additionally, redundancy can he designed in by using multiple laser diodes on the LaserLight-SMD-based white light source 3410, and by using multiple such white light sources. If issues do occur in the field, interchangeability is straightforward by replacing individual white light source 3410. Using the high luminance light sources 3410, the delivered lumens per electrical watt are higher than that with LED sources with the same optic sixes and ranges that are typical of automotive lighting such as 100’s of meters. In an embodiment the headlight 3400 features at least 35% or 50% optical throughput efficiency, which is similar to LED headlights, however, the losses in this fiber delivered design occur at white light source 3410, thereby minimizing temp/size/weight of headlight module 3420.

[0108] Because of the fiber configuration in this design, reliability is maximized by positioning the white light source 3410 away from the hot area near engine and other heat producing components. This al lows the headlight module 3420 to operate at extremely high temperatures >100 °C, whereas the white light source 3410 can operate in a cool spot with ample heat sinking to keep its environment at a temperature less than 85 °C. in an embodiment, the present design utilizes thermally stable, mil standard style tel eordia type packaging technology. The only elements exposed to the front of the car are the complexly passive headlight module 3420 comprised tiny macro-optical elements. In an embodiment, using a white light source 3410 based on the high- luminance LaserLighl-SMD package, UL and IEC safety certifications have been achieved. In this case, there is no laser through fiber, only incoherent white light, and the SMD uses a remote reflective phosphor architecture inside. Unlike direct emitting lasers such as R-G-B lasers that are not safe to deploy onto the road at high power, the headlight module 3400 does not use direct emiting laser for road illumination.

[0109] In an embodiment, because of the ease of generating new light patterns, and the modular approach to lumen scaling, this headlight design allows for changing lumens and beam pattern for any region without retooling for an entirely new headlamp. This convenient capability to change beam pattern can he achieved by changing tiny optics and or diffusers instead of retooling for new large reflectors. Moreo ver, the white light source 3410 can be Used in interior lights and daytime running lights (DHL), with transport or side emiting plastic optical fiber (PQF). The detachable white light source 3410 can be located with the electronics, and therefore allows upgraded high speed or Other specialty drivers for illumination lor Lidar, LiFi, dynamic beam shaping, and other new applications with sensor integration.

[0110] Figure 23C shows a schematic diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 23C, the laser-based fiber-coupled white Sight illumination source 340OC includes a high luminance white light source 3410 that is efficiently coupled into a transport fiber 3430 that used to deliver the white light to a remote location for illumination application. At the location, optionally an optical connector 3450 is used to connect the transport liber 3430 with a leaky fiber 3470 configured in a feature structure 3460. Optionally, the white light source 3410 is based on laser device 3412 configured to generate a blue laser outputted from a laser chip containing gallium and nitride material . The blue laser generated by the laser chip is led to a phosphor device 3414, integrated with optical beam collitnation and shaping elements, to excite a white light emission collimated into the transport fiber 3430 Optionally, the white light source 3410 is a laser-based SMD-packaged white light source (LaserLight-SMD offered by Soraa Laser Diode, Inc), substantially selected from one of multiple SMB-package white light sources described in Figs, 14 through 24. Optionally, there can be multiple lasers disposed in a safe location in the automobile. One or more phosphors are used to be excited by the multiple blue laser chips to produce white light with different spec tram or luminance. Optionally, one of more transport fibers 3430 are disposed to couple with the one or more phosphors to couple the white light and are configured to deliver the «lute light to remote application locations such as the front grill structure of an automobile, Optionally, the transport fiber 3430 and the leaky fiber 3470 are a same fiber. Optionally, the transport fiber 3430 is coupled with the leaky fiber 3470 via a connector or spliced together. Optionally, the leaky fiber includes one or more sections configured as illumination elements with custom shapes/ arrangements and disposed around different feature locations for various vehicle lighting applications.

[0111] The leaky Fibers 3470 is configured to induce a directional side scattering of the white tight carried therein to provide preferential illumination in wade angular ranges off zero degrees along the length of the fibers up to 90 degrees perpendicular to the fiber. Optionally, the leaky fiber is configured to output partial whitelighf therein with an effective luminous flux of greater than 25 lumens, or greater than 50 lumens, 150 lumens, or greater than 300 lumens, or greater than 600 lumens, or greater than 800 lumens, or greater than 1200 lumens in an optical efficiency of greater than 35% out of the fiber body. Optionally, multiple fiber connectors are included to couple the transport fibers and the leaky fibers. Optionally, the leaky fiber is spliced with the transport fiber. The transport fiber is nandeaky fiber.

Optionally, the leaky fibers are configured to various linear or partial 2-dimensional shapes with different lengths or widths. Of course, more than one such white light illumination sources can be configured at different locations of the automobile based on one or more blue lasers and one or more phosphors configured to produce a white spectrum with high luminance of 100 to 500 cd/mm ² , 500 to 1000cd/mm ³ , 1000 to 2000 ed/mm ² , 2000 to 5000 cd/mm ² , and greater than 5000 cd/mm ² with long life-time and low cost. [0112] Figure 23D shows a schematic diagram of the laser-based fiber-coupled white l ight illumination source framed around front grill structure of an automobile according to an embodiment of file present invention. Referring to Figure 231), the leaky fiber, in general, is configured as an illumination element substantially flexibly disposed around the front grill structure and form a pattern m atchi ng with mechanical frame of the grill structure based on specific model of the automobile yet delivering desired illumination. Optionally, the leaky fiber 3470 of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source 3400C is applied to the grill structure.

[0113] Figure 23E shows a schematic di agram of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light source configured as daytime running light of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention, Referring to Figure 23E, the laser-basedfiber-coupled white light source based on leaky fiber is directly configured around a headlight module to become a daytime running light module. Optionally, the leaky fiber 3470 of the laser-based fiber- coupled white light illumination source 3400C is applied to flexibly form various shaped illumination elements as daytime running light. Of course, the dayti me running light module can be disposed at different locations such as lower or side portion of the front bumper, around license plate mounted in front or backend of the automobile

[0114] Alternatively, the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source based on leaky fiber is configured for interior application including car-interior features. Optionally, the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source based on leaky fiber Is designed as interior lighting around any interior feature including floor boards, headliners, dashboards, door panel, door handle, door entry sill, moonroof, ceiling frame, and even in seating. Figure 23F shows an example of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source configured around door features or along door side edge of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the leaky fiber 3470 of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source 3400C is applied to the door features. Figure 23G shows another example of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source configured around or along ceiling features of an automobile according to another embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the leaky fiber 3470 of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source 3400C is applied to the ceiling features. Figure 23H shows yet another example of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source configured at dashboard of art automo bile according to another embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the leaky fiber 3470 of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumination source 3400C is applied to tire dashboard. Optionally, the lamination is controllable in brightness. Optionally, the illumination color can also be tuned. Figure 23I shows still another example of the laser-based fiber-eoupled white light illumination source according to another embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the leaky fiber 3470 of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light illumi nation source 3400C is applied to the door sill of the automobile or other floor features,

[0115] In an embodiment, spatially dynamic beam shaping may be achieved with DLP, LCD, 1 of 2 Mems or galvo mirror systems, lightweight swivels, scanning fiber tips. Future spatially dynamic sources may require even more light, such as 5000 - 10000 lumens from the source, to produce high definition spatial light modulation on the road using MEMS or liquid crystal components.

[0116] In another specific embodiment, the present disclosure provides a laser-based while light source coupled to a leaky fiber served as an iihnninatIng filament for direct lighting application. Figure 24 is a schematic diagram of a laser-based white· light source coupled to a leaky fiber according to an embodiment of the present invention. As show n, the laser-based white light source 3500 includes a pre-packaged white light source 3510 configured to produce a white light emission. Optionally, the pre-packaged white light source 3510 is a LaserLight-SMD packaged white light source offered by Soraa Laser Diode, Inc., California, which is substantially vacuum sealed except with two electrical pins for providing external power to drive a laser device inside the package of the white light source 3510, The laser device (not fully shown in this figure) emit a blue laser radiation for inducing a phosphor emission out of a phosphor member that is also disposed inside the package of the white light source 3510. Partial mixture of the phosphor emission, which has a wavelength longer than that of the blue laser radiation, with the blue laser radiation produces the white light emission as mentioned earlier.

[0117] The laser-based white light source 3500 furte includes an optics member 3520 integrated with the pre-packaged white light source 3510 within an outer housing 3530(which is cut in half for illustration purpose). The optics member 3520 optionally is a eollimation lens configured to couple the white light emission into a section of fiber 3540. Optionally _* the section of fiber 3540 is disposed with a tree-space gap between an end facet and the collimation lens 3520 that is substantially optical aligned at a focus point thereof. Optionally, the section of fiber 3540 is mounted with a terminal adaptor (not explicitly shown) that is fixed with the outer housing 3530. In the embodiment, the section of fiber 3540 is a leaky fiber that allows the white light incorporated therein to leak out in radial direction through its length. The leaky fiber 3540, onee the white light emission being coupled in, becomes an illuminating element that can be used for direct lighting applications.

[0118] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of a laser-based fiber-coupled white light bulb according to an embodiment of the present invention . In th e embodiment, the laser-based fiber-coupled white light bulb is provided as an application of a leaky fiber in the laser-based fiber-coupled white light source described in FIG. 24. in the embodiment, a base component 3605 of the light bulb includes an electrical connection structure that has a traditional threaded connection feature, although many other connection features can also be

implemented inside the connection structure, an AC to DC converter and/or a voltage transformer, not explicitly shown, can be included in the base component 3605 to provide a DC driving current for a laser diode mounted in a miniaturized white light emitter 3610. In the embodiment, the white light emitter 3610 includes a wavelength converting material such as a phosphor configured to generate a phosphor emission induced by a laser light emitted from the laser diode therein. The wavelength converting material is packaged together with _: the white light emitter 3610. The laser diode is configured to have an active region containing gallium and nitrogen element and is driven by the driving current to emit die laser light in a first wavelength in violet or blue spectrum, The phosphor emission has a second wavelength in yellow spectrum longer than the first wavelength in blue spectrum. A white light is generated by mixing the phosphor emission and the laser light and emited out of the phosphor. In the embodiment, the wavelength converting material is packaged together with the white light emitter 3610 so that only the white light is emitted from the white light emitter 3610. The laser-based fiber-coupled white light bulb further includes a section of leaky fiber 3640 coupled to the white light emitter 3610 to receive (with certain coupling efficiency) the white light. The section of leaky fiber 3640 has a certain length wining in spiral or other shapes and is fully disposed in an enclosure component 3645 of the light bulb which is fixed to and sealed with the base component 3605 As the white light emitter 3610 is operated to emit the white light coupling into the leaky fiber 3640, the leaky fiber 3640 effectively allows the white light to leak oat from outer surface of the fiber, becoming a lighting filament in a light bulb that can be used as a white light illumination source.

[019] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram of a laser light bulb according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the laser light bulb includes a base component 3605 configured as an electrical connection structure, an outer threaded feature similar to one shown In FIG. 25. although other forms of the electtieal connection structure can be implemented. An AC to DC converter and/or a voltage transformer are installed inside the base component 3605 to provide a driver current to a laser device 3600 installed near an output side of the base component 3605. The laser device 3600 is configured to be a laser diode having an active region containing gallium and nitrogen element and is driven by the driving current to emit a laser light of a first wavelength in blue spectrum, In the embodiment, the laser device 3600 is coupled to a fiber 3640 configured to be a leaky fiber embedded in a wavelength converting material 3680 such as a phosphor. The fiber 3640 is configured to couple the laser light emitted from the laser device 3600 into its core with a 20%, 40%, or 60% or greater coupling efficiency. As the laser device 3600 is operated to emit the laser light, the laser light that is incorporated into the fiber 3640 is leaked from the core through outer surface of the fiber 3640 into the wavelength converting material 3680. The leaked laser light is thus converted to white light emitted from the wavelength converting material 3680. In the embodiment, the fiber 3640 has a proper length winded into a certain size of the wavelength converting material 3680 which Is fully disposed within an enclosure component 3645 of the laser light bulb. The white light emitted out of the wavelength converting material 3680 in the enclosure 3645, which is set to be a transparent one, just forms an illumination source for lighting application.

[0120] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of a multi- filament laser light bulb according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, laser light bulb includes a base component 3605 configured as ah electrical connection structure, as outer threaded feature similar to one shown in FIG . 25, although other forms of the electrical connection structure can he implemented. An AC to DC converter and/or a Voltage: transformer are Installed inside the base component 3605 to provide a driver current to a laser device 3600 installed near an output side of the base component 3605. The laser device 3600 is configured to be a packaged gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode and is driven by the driving current to emit a laser light of a first wavelength in blue spectrum. The output of the laser device 3600 is coupled to an input port coupled to multiple optical fibers 3690 to allow the laser light of the first wavelength to be coupled into the fibers 3690 hr >20%, >40%, or > 60% coupling efficiency. In the embodiment, each of the multiple optical fibers 3690 is a section of leaky fiber coated or embedded (surrounded) with a wavelength converting material such as phosphors. Again, the multiple optical· fibers 3690 are all disposed wi thin an enclosure component 3645 of the laser light bulb which is fixed and sealed with the base component 3605. As each section of leaky fiber is received a laser light the laser light is partially leaked out from outer surface of the fiber into the wavelength converting material and is converted to white light out of outer surface of the; wavelength converting material. Each fiber coated by the wavelength converting material thus becomes an illuminating filament for the laser light bulb. In an embodiment, different sections of leaky fibers are coated with different phosphor mixtures so that different (warmer or cooler) white colored light can be respectively emitted from multiple sections of leaky fibers. In the embodiment, overall light color of the laser light bulb is dictated by relative brightness of each illuminating filament based in respective section of leaky fiber and can be controlled by the coated mixtures of phosphors around the multiple sections of leaky fibers.

[0121] In all of the side pumped and transmissive and refl ective embodiments of this invention the additional features and designs can be included. For example, shaping of the excitation laser beam for optimizing the beam spot characteristics on the phosphor can be achieved by careful design considerations of the laser beam incident angle to the phosphor or with using integrated optics such as free space optics like collimating lens. Safety features can be included such as passive features like physical design considerations and beam dumps and/or active features such as phoiobetectors or thermistors that can be used in a closed loop to turn the laser off when a si gnal i s indicated. Moreover optical elements can be included to manipulate the generated white light. In some embodiments, reflectors such as parabolic reflectors or lenses such as collimating lenses are used to collimate the white light or create a spot light that could be applicable in an automobile headlight, flashlight, spotlight, or other lights.

[0122] in one embodiment, the present invention provides a laser-based fiber-coupled white light system. The system has a pre-packaged laser-based white light module mounted on a support member and at least one gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode devices integrated with a phosphor material on the support member. The laser diode device, driven by a driver, is capable of providing an emission of a laser beam with a wavelength preferably in the bine region of 425 nm to 475 mn or in the ultra violet or violet region of 380 nm to 425 nm, but can be other such as in the cyan region of 475 nm to 510 nm or the green region of 510 nm to 560 nm In a preferred embodiment the phosphor material can provide a yellowish phosphor emission in the 560 nm to 580 nm range such that when mixed with the blue emission of the laser diode a white light is produced. In other embodiments, phosphors with red, green, yellow, and even bine colored emission can be used in combination with the laser diode excitation source to produce a white light emission with color mixing in different brightness. The laser-based white light module is configured a tree space with a non-guided laser beam characteristic transmitting the emission of the laser beam from the laser diode device to the phosphor material. The laser beam spectral width, wavelength, size, shape, intensity, and polarization are configured to excite the phosphor material. The beam can be configured by positioning it at the precise distance from the phosphor to exploit the beam divergence properties of the laser diode and achieve the desired spot size. In other embodiments free space optics such as collimating lenses can he used to shape the beam prior to incidence on the phosphor. The beam can be characterized by a polarization purity of greater than 60% and less than 100%. As used herein, the term“polarization purity” means greater than 50% of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is in a substantially similar polarization state such as the transverse electric (TE) or transverse magnetic (TM) polarization states, but can have other meanings consistent with ordinary meaning. In an example, the laser beam incident on the phosphor has a power of less than 0.1 W, greater than 0.1 W, greater than 0.5 W, greater than 1 W, greater than 5W, greater than 10 W, or greater than 10W. The phosphor material Is characterized by a conversion efficiency, a resistance to thermal damage, a resistance to optical damage, a thermai quenching characteristic, a porosity to scatter excitation light, and a thermal conductivity.

[0123] In one embodiment, a laser driver Is provided In the pre-packaged laser-based white light module. Among other things, the laser driver is adapted to adjust the amount of power to be provided to the laser diode. For example, the laser driver generates a drive current based one or more pixels from the one or more signals such as frames of images, the drive currents being adapted to drive a laser diode. In a specific embodiment, the laser driver is configured to generate pulse-modulated signal at a frequency range of about 50 to 300 MHz. The driver may provide temporal modulation for applications related to communication such as LiFi free-space light communication, and'or data communications using optic fiber.

Alternatively, the driver may provide temporal modulation for applications related to LiDAR remote sensing to measure distance, generate 3D images, or other enhanced: 2D imaging techniques.

[0124] In certain embodiments, the pre-packaged laser-based white light module comprises a heat spreader coupled b etw een the common support member and the heat sink.

[0125] In certain embodiments of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light module, the waveguide device includes an optical fiber of an arbitrary length, including a single mode fiber (SMF) or a multi-mode fiber (MMF), with core diameters ranging from about 1 mm to 10 mm, about 10mm to 50mm, about 50mm to 150mm, about 150mm to 500mm, about 500mm to 1 mm, or greater than 1mm. The optical fiber is aligned with a collimation optics member to receive the collimated white light emission with a numerical aperture about 0.05 to 0.7 in a cone angle ranging from 5 deg to 50 deg.

[0126] In certain embodiments of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light module, the waveguide device includes a leaky fiber of a certain length for distributing side-scattered light through the length.

[0127] In certain embodiments of the laser-based fiber-coupled White light module, the waveguide device includes a lensed fiber of a certain length, the leased fiber being directly coupled with the pre-packaged white light module without extra collimation lens.

[0128] In certain embodiments of the laser-based fiber-coupled white light module, the waveguide device includes a planar waveguide formed on glass, semiconductor wafer, or other flat panel substrate,

[0129] In one embodiment, the white light emission from the laser based white light source is directly coupled into a first end of an optical fiber member. The optical fiber member may be comprised of glass fiber, a plastic optical fiber (PDF), a hollow fiber, or an alternative type of multi-mode or single mode fiber m ember or wavegui de member The first end of the fiber may be comprised of a flat surface or could be comprised of a shaped of leased Surface to improve the input coupling efficiency of the white light into the fiber. The first end of the fiber member may he coated with an anti-reflective coating or a reflection modification coating to increase the coupling efficiency of the white light into the fiber member. The fiber or waveguide member controls the light based on step index or gradual index changes in the waveguide, retractive diffractive sections or elements, holographic sections or elements, polarization sensitive sections or elements, and/or reflective sections or elements. The fiber or waveguide is characterized by a core waveguide diameter and a numerical aperture (NA).

The diameter ranges from 1 um to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1mm, 1mm to 10mm , or 10mm to 100mm. The NA could range from 0.05 to 0.1, 0.1 to 0.2. 0.2 to 0.3, 0.3 to 0.4, 0, to 0.5, 0.5 to 0.6, o.r 0.6 to 0.7. Transmission ranges from. 30 to 40%, 40 to 50%, 50 to 60%, 60 to 70%. 70 to 80%, 80 to 90%, and 90 to 100%. The fiber may transport the light to the end, or directional side scattering fiber to provide preferenfial illumination in a particular angle, or both. The fiber may include a coating or doping or phosphor integrated inside or on a surface to modify color of emission through or from fiber. The fiber may be a detachable fiber and may include a connector such as an SMA, F€ and / or alternative optical connectors. The fiber may include a moveable tip mechanism on the entry or exit portion for scanning fiber input or output, where the fiber tip is moved to generate changes in the in coupling amount or color or other properties of the light, or on the output side, to produce a motoi n of light, or when time averaged, to generate a pattern of light.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment, the white light emission from the laser based white light source is directed through a collimating lens to reduce the divergence of the· white light For example, the divergence could be reduced from 180 degrees full angle or 120 degrees full width half maximum, as collected from the Lambertian emission to less than 12 degrees, less than 5 degrees, less than 2 degrees, or less than 1 degree, The lenses may include reflective surfaces, step index or gradual gradient index changes in the material, refractive sections or elements, diffractive sections or elements, holographic sections or elements, polarization sensitive sections or elements, and/or reflecti ve sections or elements including total internal reflective elements. The lens may include combination Of diffractive lensitig and or reflection sections, such as a total internal reflection (TIR) Optic. Lens diameter ranges from 1um to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1mm, 1mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. The NA could range from 0.05 to 0.1 0.1 to 0.2, 0.2 to 0.3, 0.3 to 0.4, 0,4 to 0.5, 0.5 to 0.6, or 0.6 to 0.7. Transmission ranges from 30 to 40%, 40 to 50%, 50 to 60%, 60 to 70%, 70 to 80%,

80 to 90%, and 90 to 100%.

[0131 ] The first end of the fiber may he comprised of a flat surface or could be comprised of a shaped or leased surface to improve the input coupling efficiency of theWhite light into the fiber. Tire first end of the fiber member may be coated with an anti-reflective coating or a reflection modification coating to increase the coupling efficiency of the white light into the fiber member. The optical fiber member may be comprised of glass fiber, a plastic optical fiber (POF), or an alternati ve type of fiber member. The first end of the fiber may be comprised of a fiat surface or could be comprised of a shaped or tensed surface to improve the input coupling efficiency of the white l ight into the fiber. The fiber is characterized by a core waveguide diameter and a numerical aperture (NA). The diameter ranges from lurn to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1mm, 1mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. The NA could range from 0.05 to 0.1, 0.1 to 0.2, 0.2 to 0.3, and 0,3 to 0.4, 0.4 to 0,5, 0,5 to 0,6, or 0.6 to 0.7, Transmission ranges from 30 to 40%, 40 to 50%, 50 to 60%, 60 to 70%, 70 to 80%, 80 to 90%, and 90 to 100%. The fiber may transport the light to the end;, or directional side scattering fiber to provide preferential illumination in a particular angle, or both. The fiber may include a coating or doping or phosphor integrated inside or on a surface to modi t y color of emission through or from fiber . The fiber may be a detachable fiber and may include a connector such as an SMA, FC and/or alternative optical connectors. The fiber may include a moveable tip mechanism on the entry or exit portion for scanning fiber input or output, where the fiber tip is moved to generate changes in the in coupling amount or color or other properties of the li ght, or on the output side, to produce a motion o f light, or when tim e averaged, to generate a pattern of light.

[ 0132] In another preferred embodiment, the white light emission from the laser based

White light source is directed through a collimating lens to reduce the divergence of the white light. For example, the divergence could be reduced from 120 degrees as collected from the Lambertian emission to less than 12 degrees, less than 5 degrees, less than 2 degrees, or less than 1 degree. The lenses may include reflective surfaces, step index or gradual gradient index changes in the material, refractive sections or elements, diffractive sections or elements, holographic sections or elements, polarization sensitive sections or elements, and or reflective sections or elements including total internal reflective elements, The lens may include combination of diffractive lensing and or reflection sections, such as a total internal reflection (TTR) optic. Lens diameter ranges from lum to 10um, 10um to 100um,

100um to 1mm, 1mm to 10mm , or 10mm to 100mm. The NA could range from 0,05 to 0, 1 , 0.1 to 0.2, 0.2 to 0.3, 0,3 to 0.4. 0.4 to 0.5, 0.5 to 0.6, or 0.6 to 0.7. Transmission ranges from 30 to 40%, 40 to 50%, 50 to 60%, 60 to 70%, 70 to 80%, 80 to 90%, and: 90 to 1:00%

[0133] The first end of the fiber may be comprised of a fiat surface or could be comprised of a shaped or lensed surface to improve tbe input coupling efficiency of the white light in to the fiber. The first end of the fiber member may be coated with ah anti-reflective coating or a reflection modification coating to increase the coupling efficiency of the white light into the fiber member. The optical fiber member may he comprised of glass fiber, a plastic optical Fiber (POP), or an altera alive type of fiber member. The first end of the fiber may be comprised of a fiat surface or could be comprised of a shaped or leased surface to improve the input coupling efficiency of the white light into the fiber. The fiber is characterized by a core waveguide diameter and a numerical aperture (NA) The diameter ranges from ltiift to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1 mm, 1mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. The NA could range from 0.05 to 0.1, 0.1 to 0.2, 0,2 to 0.3, and 0.3 to 0.4, 0.4 to 0.5, 0.5 to 0.6, or 0.6 to 0.7. Transmission ranges from 30 to 40%, 40 to 50%, 50 to 60%, 60 to 70%, 70 to 80%, 80 to 90%, and 90 to 100%. The fiber may transport the light to the end, or directional side scattering fiber to provide preferential illumination in a particular angle, or both. The fiber may include a coating or doping or phosphor integrated inside or on a surface to modify color of emission through or from fiber. The fiber may be a detachable fiber and may include a connector such as an SMA, FC and / or alternative optical connectors. The fiber may include a moveable tip mechanism on the entry or exit portion for scanning fiber input or output, where the fiber tip is moved to generate changes in the in coupling amount or color or other properties of the light, or on the output side, to produce a motion of light, or when time averaged, to generate a patern of light.

[0134] As describe previously, the optical fiber member may be comprised of glass fiber, a plastic optical fiber, or an alternative type of fiber member. The core or waveguide region of the fiber may have a diameter ranging from 1 um to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1mm, 1mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. The white light emission is then transferred through the fiber to am arbitrary length depending on the application. For example, the length could range from 1cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to 1m, 1 m to 100 m, 100 m to 1 km, or greater than 1km.

[0135] fu one embodiment, the optica! fiber member transport properties are designed to maximize the amount of light traveling from the first end of the fiber to a second end of the fiber, in this embodiment, the fiber is design for low absorption losses, low scattering losses, and low leaking losses of the white light out of the fiber. The white light exits the second end of the liber where it is delivered to its target object for iliuminaikm In one preferred embodiment the white light exiting foe second end of the fiber is directed through a lens for collimating the white light The lens may include reflective surfaces, step index or gradual gradient index changes in the material, refractive sections or elements, diffractive sections or elements, holographic sections or elements, polarization sensitive sections or elements, and/or reflective sections or elements including total interna! reflective elements. The lens may include combination of diffractive leasing and or reflection sections, such as a total internal reflection optic, e,g. TIR optic. Lens diameter ranges from 1 um to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1mm, 1mm to 10mm, or 1.0 mm to 100mm. The NA could range from 0.05 to 0.1, 0.1 to 0.2, 0.2 to 0.3, 0,3 to 0.4, 0,4 to 0.5, 0,5 to 0.6, or 0.6 to 0.7. Transmission ranges from 30 to 40%, 40 to 50%, 50 to 60%, 60 to 70%, 70 to 80%, SO to 90%, and 90 to 100%.

[0136] Additionally, a beam shaping optic can be included to shape the beam of white light into a predetermined pattern. In one example, the beam is shaped into the required pattern for an automotive standard high beam shape or low beam shape Tire beam shaping element may be a lens or combination of lenses. The lens may include reflective surfaces, step index or gradual gradient index changes in the material, refractive sections or elements, diffractive sections or elements, holographic sections or elements, polarization sensiti ve sections or elements, and/or reflective sections or elements including total internal reflective elements. The lens may include combination of diffracti ve leasing and or reflection sections, such as a total internal reflection optic, e.g, TIR optic. A beam shaping diffusers may also be used, such as a holographic diffuser. Lens and or diffuser diameter ranges from lum to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1mm, 1mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm, Lens shape may be nomcireular, such as rectangular or oval or with an alternative shape, with one of the dimensions being from S um to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1mm, 1mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. The NA could range from 0.05 to 0.1, 0.1 to 0.2, 0 2 to 0.3, 0.3 to 0,4, 0.4 to 0 5 , 0.5 to 0 6, or 0.6 to 0.7. Transmission ranges, from 30 to 40%, 40 to 50%, 50 to 60%, 60 to 70%, 70 to 80%, 80 to 90%, and 90 to 100%.

[0137] In another embodiment, the optical fiber member is intentionally designed to be leaky such that the white light exits the fiber along its axis to produce a distributed white light source. The fiber design can include air bubbles, voids, composite materials, or other designs to introduce perturbations in the index of refraction along the axis of the waveguide to promote scattering of the white light.

[0138] In yet another preferred embodiment, the fiber can be designed allow light to leak out of the core waveguide region and into the cladding region. In some embodiments, the leaky fiber is designed to leak the white light from only Certain directions from the fibers circumference. For example, the fiber may directionally leak and emit light from I SO degrees of the fibers 360 degrees circumference. In other examples, the fiber may leak and emit light front 90 degrees of the fibers 360 degrees circumference. [0139] The leaky fiber embodiment of the fiber coupled white light in vention described can tine use in many applications. One such example application using the leaky fiber as distributed light source included as day time running lights in an automobile headlight module. Additionally, the distributed light sources could be used in automotive interior lighting and tail lighting. In another application the source is used as distributed lighting for tunnels, streets, underwater lighting, office and residential lighting, industrial lighting, and other types of lighting. In another application the leaky fiber could be included in a light bulb as a filament.

[0140] In still another preferred embodiment, an electronic board may be used with the light source. It may include a section that provides initial heatsinking of the li ght source, with a thermal resistance of less than 1 degree Celsius per wait, or 1 to 2 degree Celsius per watt, or 2 to 3 degree Celsius per watt, or 3 to 4 degree Celsius per watt, or 4 to 5 degree Celsius per watt, or 5 to 10 degree Celsius per watt. The electronic board may provide electrical contact for anode(s) and cathode(s) of the light source. The electronic board may include a driver for light source or a power supply for the light source. The elec ironic board may include driver elements that provide temporal modulation for applications related to communication such as LiFi ftee-space light communication, and/or data communications using optic fiber, The electronic board may include dri ver elements that provide temporal modulation for applications related to LiDAR remote sensing to measure distance, generate 3D images, or other enhanced 2D imaging techniques. The electronic board may include sensors for S3S4D such as thermistor or process detectors from SMD such as photodetector signal conditioning or fiber sensors. The electronic board may be interfaced with software. The software may provide niachine learning or artificial intelligent functionality. The electronic board diameter may range from 1 um to 10um, 10um to 100um , 100um to 1mm, 1mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. The electronic board shape may be non-circular, such as rectangular or oval or with an alternative shape, with one of the dimensions being front 1 um to 10um, 10um to 100um , 100um to 1 mm, 1 mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm . The NA could range from 0,05 to 0.3 , 0.1 to 0.2, 0.2 to 0.3, 0.3 to 0.4, 0.4 to 0.5, 0.5 to 0.6, or 0.6 to 0,7.

[0141] In still a preferred embodiment, a heatsink may be used with the light source. The heatsink may have a thermal resistance of less than 1 degree Celsius per watt, or 1 to 2 degree Celsius per wait, or 2 to 3 degree Celsius per watt, or 3 to 4 degree Celsius per watt, or 4 to 5 degree Celsius per watt, or 5 to 10 degree Celsius per watt. The heat sink may be cylindrical with a diameter that may range from l um to 10um, 10um to 100um. 100um to 1 mm, 1 mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. flic heatsink shape may be non-cylindrical with an alternative shape, with one of the dimensions being from l um to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1 mm, l mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. The heatsink frame may be manufactured with lathe fuming in order to provide flexible aesthetic looks from a common light source module underneath.

[0142] Additionally, a mechanical frame may be used, on which to affix the light source, optic, fiber, electronic board, or heatsink. The mechanical frame may be cylindrical with a diameter that may range from 1 um to 1 um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1 mm 1 mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. The heatsink shape may be non-cylindrical with an alternative shape with one of the dimensions being from 1 um to 10um, 10um to 100um, 100um to 1mm, 1 mm to 10mm, or 10mm to 100mm. The mechanical frame may be manufactured with lathe turning in order to provide flexible aesthetic looks from a common light source module underneath.

[0143] Optionally, the light source may be configured with a single fiber output with collimating optic and beam pattern generator. Optionally, the light source may be configured with multiple fiber outputs, each with collimating optic and beam pattern generator.

Optionally, multiple light sources may be configured to single fiber output with collimating optic and beam pattern generator. Optionally, multiple light sources may be configured to multiple fiber bundle output with collimating optic and beam pattern generator. Optionally, multiple light sources may be configured to multiple fiber bundle output, each with collimating optic and beam pattern generator. Optionally, multiple light sources with different color properties may be configured to one or more fibers to generate different color properties of emission.