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Light emitting systemsRelated Patent Categories: Active Solid-state Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-state Diodes), Incoherent Light Emitter Structure, With Heterojunction, With Contoured External Surface (e.g., Dome Shape To Facilitate Light Emission)Light emitting systems description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070187703, Light emitting systems. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications: 60/462,889, filed Apr. 15, 2003; 60/474,199, filed May 29, 2003; 60/475,682, filed Jun. 4, 2003; 60/503,653, filed Sep. 17, 2003; 60/503,654 filed Sep. 17, 2003; 60/503,661, filed Sep. 17, 2003; 60/503,671, filed Sep. 17, 2003; 60/503,672, filed Sep. 17, 2003; 60/513,807, filed Oct. 23, 2003; and 60/514,764, filed Oct. 27, 2003. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to, and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/735,498, entitled "Light Emitting Systems," and filed Dec. 12, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of, the following U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos: 10/723,987, entitled "Light Emitting Devices," and filed Nov. 26, 2003; 10/724,004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,302), entitled "Light Emitting Devices," and filed Nov. 26, 2003; 10/724,033, entitled "Light Emitting Devices," and filed Nov. 26, 2003; 10/724,006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,084,434), entitled "Light Emitting Devices," and filed Nov. 26, 2003; 10/724,029 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,589), entitled "Light Emitting Devices," and filed Nov. 26, 2003; Ser. No. 10/724,015, entitled "Light Emitting Devices," and filed Nov. 26, 2003; Ser. No. 10/724,005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,993), entitled "Light Emitting Devices," and filed Nov. 26, 2003. Each of these patent applications is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The invention relates to systems, and related components, systems and methods. BACKGROUND [0003] A light emitting diode (LED) often can provide light in a more efficient manner than an incandescent light source and/or a fluorescent light source. The relatively high power efficiency associated with LEDs has created an interest in using LEDs to displace conventional light sources in a variety of lighting applications. For example, in some instances LEDs are being used as traffic lights and to illuminate cell phone keypads and displays. [0004] Typically, an LED is formed of multiple layers, with at least some of the layers being formed of different materials. In general, the materials and thicknesses selected for the layers determine the wavelength(s) of light emitted by the LED. In addition, the chemical composition of the layers can be selected to try to isolate injected electrical charge carriers into regions (commonly referred to as quantum wells) for relatively efficient conversion to optical power. Generally, the layers on one side of the junction where a quantum well is grown are doped with donor atoms that result in high electron concentration (such layers are commonly referred to as n-type layers), and the layers on the opposite side are doped with acceptor atoms that result in a relatively high hole concentration (such layers are commonly referred to as p-type layers). [0005] A common approach to preparing an LED is as follows. The layers of material are prepared in the form of a wafer. Typically, the layers are formed using an epitaxial deposition technique, such as metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), with the initially deposited layer being formed on a growth substrate. The layers are then exposed to various etching and metallization techniques to form contacts for electrical current injection, and the wafer is subsequently sectioned into individual LED chips. Usually, the LED chips are packaged. [0006] During use, electrical energy is usually injected into an LED and then converted into electromagnetic radiation (light), some of which is extracted from the LED. SUMMARY [0007] The invention relates to light-emitting systems, and related components, systems and methods. [0008] In one embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. The surface of the first layer is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer. The surface of the first layer has a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern, and the pattern has an ideal lattice constant and a detuning parameter with a value greater than zero. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0009] In another embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. The surface of the first layer is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, and the surface has a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a nonperiodic pattern. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0010] In a further embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. The surface of the first layer is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, and the surface has a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a complex periodic pattern. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0011] In one embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a layer of n-doped material, a layer of p-doped material, and a light-generating region. The light-emitting device also includes a layer of reflective material that is capable of reflecting at least about 50% of light generated by the light-generating region that impinges on the layer of reflective material. The surface of the layer of n-doped material is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the layer of n-doped material. The surface of the layer of n-doped material has a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern, and the distance between the layer of p-doped material and the layer of reflective material is less than the distance between the layer of n-doped material and the layer of reflective material. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the layer of n-doped material, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0012] In another embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials including a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. The surface of the first layer is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, and the surface of the first layer has a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern. The light-emitting device also includes a layer of reflective material that is capable of reflecting at least about 50% of light generated by the light-generating region that impinges on the layer of reflective material. The light-generating region is between the layer of reflective material and the first layer, and the pattern does not extend beyond the first layer. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the layer of n-doped material, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0013] In a further embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region, and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. The surface of the first layer is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer. The light-emitting device also includes a material in contact with the surface of the first layer, where the material has an index of refraction less than about 1.5. The light emitting device is packaged. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the layer of n-doped material, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0014] In one embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. The surface of the first layer is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer. The surface of the first layer has a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern. The light-emitting device also includes a phosphor material supported by the surface of the first layer. The sidewalls of the light-emitting device are substantially devoid of the phosphor material. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the layer of n-doped material, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0015] In a further embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. The surface of the first layer is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, and the surface of the first layer has a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern. The light-emitting device also includes a phosphor material configured so that light generated by the light-generating region that emerges via the surface of the first layer interacts with the phosphor material so that light that emerges from the phosphor layer is substantially white light. The ratio of the height of the light-emitting device to an area of the light-emitting device is sufficiently small enough for the white light to extend in all directions. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0016] In one embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region, and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. The surface of the first layer is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer. The light-emitting device also includes a first sheet formed of a material that is substantially transparent to light that emerges from the light-emitting device, and a second sheet that includes a phosphor material. The second sheet is adjacent the first sheet. The light-emitting device is packaged, and the first and second sheets form a portion of the package for the light-emitting device. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0017] In another embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials including a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region. The surface of the first layer is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer. The surface of the first layer has a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern, and the pattern is configured so that light generated by the light-generating region that emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer is more collimated than a lambertian distribution of light. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0018] In one embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region so that, during use of the light-emitting device, light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via a surface of the first layer. The surface of the first layer has a dielectric function that varies spatially according to a pattern, and at least about 45% (e.g., at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%) of the total amount of light generated by the light-generating region that emerges from the light-emitting device emerges via the surface of the light-emitting device. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0019] In another embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region so that, during use of the light-emitting device, light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via a surface of the first layer. The light-emitting device has an edge which is at least about one millimeter (e.g., at least about 1.5 millimeters, at least about two millimeters, at least about 2.5 millimeters) long, and the light-emitting device is designed so that the extraction efficiency of the light-emitting device is substantially independent of the length of the edge of the light-emitting device. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. [0020] In a further embodiment, the invention features a light-emitting system that includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a multi-layer stack of materials. The multi-layer stack of materials includes a light-generating region and a first layer supported by the light-generating region so that, during use of the light-emitting device, light generated by the light-generating region can emerge from the light-emitting device via a surface of the first layer. The light-emitting device has an edge which is at least about one millimeter (e.g., at least about 1.5 millimeters, at least about two millimeters, at least about 2.5 millimeters) long, and the light-emitting device is designed so that the quantum efficiency of the light-emitting device is substantially independent of the length of the edge of the light-emitting device. The light-emitting device is configured so that, when light generated by the light-generating region emerges from the light-emitting device via the surface of the first layer, the light can emerge from the light-emitting system. Continue reading about Light emitting systems... Full patent description for Light emitting systems Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Light emitting systems patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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