Failure and degradation mechanisms of high-power white light emitting diodes

The investigation explores the factors that influence the long-term performance of high-power 1 W white light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs underwent an aging test in which they were exposed to various temperatures and electrical currents, to identify both their degradation mechanisms and the limitations of the LED chip and package materials. The degradation rates of luminous flux increased with electrical and thermal stresses. High electric stress induced surface and bulk defects in the LED chip during short-term aging, which rapidly increased the leakage current. Yellowing and cracking of the encapsulating lens were also important in package degradation at 0.7 A/85 °C and 0.7 A/55 °C. This degradation reduced the light extraction efficiency to an extent that is strongly related to junction temperature and the period of aging. Junction temperatures were measured at various stresses to determine the thermal contribution and the degradation mechanisms. The results provided a complete understanding of the degradation mechanisms of both chip and package, which is useful in designing highly reliable and long-lifetime LEDs.     

Thermal Study of High-Power Nitride-Based Flip-Chip Light-Emitting Diodes

This paper presents a chip-level thermal study of high-power nitride-based flip-chip (FC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In order to understand the thermal performance of the high-power FC LEDs thoroughly, a quantitative parametric analysis of the thermal dependence on the chip contact area, bump configuration, and bump defects was performed by finite-elementmodel (FEM) numerical simulation and thermal infrared (IR) microscopy testing, respectively. FEM numerical simulation results proved that the optimized bump configuration design was essential to get a uniform temperature distribution in the active layer and improve the thermal performance of the FC LED. IR microscopy testing results recognized that bump defects formed in the LED chip solder processing would lead to surface hot spots around the vicinity of these bump defects, particularly under high-current working conditions. In addition, a light-emitting dark zone was also observed in the optical field for FC LEDs with bump defects. In summary, optimized LED FC bump configuration design and good bonding quality in the chip bonding process are proved to be critical for improving the thermal performance and extending the operating longevity of high-power FC LEDs.      

GaN基功率型LED芯片散热性能测试与分析

与正装LED相比,倒装焊芯片技术在功率型LED的散热方面具有潜在的优势.对各种正装和倒装焊功率型LED芯片的表面温度分布进行了直接测试,对其散热性能进行了分析.研究表明,焊接层的材料、焊接接触面的面积和焊接层的质量是制约倒装焊LED芯片散热能力的主要因素;而对于正装LED芯片,由于工艺简单,减少了中间热沉,通过结构的优化,工艺的改进,完全可以达到与倒装焊LED芯片相同的散热能力.     

Dynamic Thermal Analysis of High-Power LEDs at Pulse Conditions

In this letter, the thermal evaluation of high-power LED packages at pulse conditions was reported. A theoretical calculation model was proposed based on the analogy between the thermal and electrical RC circuits. The thermal performance of LED packages driven by pulse input was calculated using the RC network extracted from transient thermal measurement. The junction temperature fluctuation band decreases with the frequency at certain duty cycles. The saturated average junction temperature rise linearly increases with the duty cycle at certain frequencies. These predictions were verified by the real-time junction temperature measurement using the peak shift method at pulse conditions. The theoretical model was found to be effective and applicable to the evaluation of the thermal performance of LEDs working at pulse conditions.     

大功率发光二极管的寿命试验及其失效分析

以GaN基蓝光LED芯片为基础光源制备了大功率蓝光LED,并通过荧光粉转换的方法制备了白光LED.对大功率蓝光和白光LED进行了寿命试验,并对其失效机理进行了分析.结果表明,大功率LED的光输出随时间的衰减呈指数规律,缺陷的生长和无辐射复合中心的形成,荧光粉量子效率的降低,静电的冲击,电极性能不稳定,以及封装体中各成分之间热膨胀系数失配引起的机械应力都可能导致大功率LED的失效.     

高压倒装LED照明组件的热性能

高压(HX)倒装LED是一种新型的光源器件,在小尺寸、高功率密度发光光源领域有广泛的应用前景.设计了4种不同工作电压的高压倒装LED芯片,进行了流片验证,并对其进行了免封装芯片(PFC)结构的封装实验,在其基础上研制出一种基于高压倒装芯片的PFC-LED照明组件.建立了9V高压倒装LED芯片、PFC封装器件及照明组件的模型,利用流体力学分析软件进行了热学模拟和优化设计;利用T3Ster热阻测试分析仪进行了热阻测试,验证了设计的可行性.结果表明,基于9V高压倒装LED芯片的PFC封装器件的热阻约为0.342 K/W,远小于普通正装LED器件的热阻.实验结果为基于高压倒装LED芯片的封装及应用提供了热学设计依据.     

一种回路热管对大功率LED散热的研究

针对大功率LED散热能力较其它照明灯具差这一问题,研制了一种应用在多芯片大功率LED散热上的回路热管装置,并研究了热负荷、倾角等对热管的起动性、均温性和热阻等的影响。试验结果表明,所设计的热管散热器的热阻在0.48～1.47K/W之间;在蒸发器倾斜角为0°和30°时,蒸发器的均温性分别被控制在1.5℃和4.3℃以内。因此,将这种结构的热管应用在大功率LED散热系统中时,首先应该对蒸发器倾斜角度对系统散热性能的影响进行测试评估。     

Status and prospects for phosphor-based white LED packaging

The status and prospects for high-power, phosphor-based white light-emitting diode (LED) pack-aging have been presented. A system view for packaging design is proposed to address packaging issues. Four aspects of packaging are reviewed: optical control, thermal management, reliability and cost. Phosphor materials play the most important role in light extraction and color control. The conformal coating method improves the spatial color distribution (SCD) of LEDs. High refractive index (RI) encapsulants with high transmittance and modified surface morphology can enhance light extraction. Multi-phosphor-based packaging can realize the control of correlated color temperature (CCT) with high color rendering index (CRI). Effective thermal management can dissipate heat rapidly and reduce thermal stress caused by the mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Chip-on-board (COB) technology with a multi-layer ceramic substrate is the most promising method for high-power LED packaging. Low junction temperature will improve the reliability and provide longer life. Advanced processes, precise fabrication and careful operation are essential for high reliability LEDs. Cost is one of the biggest obstacles for the penetration of white LEDs into the market for general illumination products. Mass production in terms of CoB, system in packaging (SIP), 3D packaging and wafer level packaging (WLP) can reduce the cost significantly, especially when chip cost is lowered by using a large wafer size.     

一体化封装LED结温测量与发光特性研究

基于一体化封装基板,制备了大功率白光LED。以低热阻的一体化封装基板为基础,设计了结温测量系统。利用光谱仪测得不同结温下LED的光电参数,并对其机理进行了分析。在工作电流为0.34A,所研究温度范围为10.8～114.9℃。实验结果表明,一体化封装的LED结温与正向电压、光通量、光效和色温有着良好的线性关系;结温的变化对主波长及色坐标影响甚微;结温的上升导致蓝光段强度下降且光谱发生红移,黄光段强度上升且光谱发生宽化,峰值波长由450nm转为550nm。     

A study of thermal processes in high-power InGaN/GaN flip-chip LEDs by IR thermal imaging microscopy

Results of an experimental study of temperature fields generated in high-power AlGaInN heterostructure flip-chip light-emitting diodes (LEDs) via their self-heating at high working currents are presented. The method of IR thermal imaging microscopy employed in the study enables a direct measurement of the temperature distribution over the p-n junction area with a high resolution of ∼3 μm at an absolute measurement error of ∼2 K. It is shown that large temperature gradients may arise in high-power LEDs at high excitation levels as a result of current crowding. This effect should be taken into account when designing lightemitting chips and estimating the admissible operation modes. The method of IR thermal imaging microscopy can also reveal microscopic defects giving rise to current leakage channels and impairing device reliability.     

一种利用有限元法模拟LED芯片结点温度的方法

提出了一种以有限元法估算发光二极管(LED)光源模块结点温度的方法,提出了较详细的计算步骤,最后以6只1 W大功率LED组成的光源模块为例,演示如何以实测为基础,实测与软件试算相结合来估算LED光源模块的芯片结点温度.结果证明该方法具有较好的预测性,可以用来研究LED光源模块的温度分布,从而为研究LED封装材料匹配性、系统可靠性提供一定的参照.     

Development of a thermal resistance model for chip-on-board packaging of high power LED arrays

The performance of high power LEDs strongly depends on the junction temperature. Operating at high junction temperature causes degradation of light intensity and lifetime. Therefore, proper thermal management is critical for LED packaging. While the design of the heat sink is a major contributor to lowering the overall thermal resistance of the packaged luminaire, another area of concern arises from the need to address the large heat fluxes that exist beneath the die. In this study we conduct a thermal analysis of high power LED packages implementing chip-on-board (COB) architecture combined with power electronic substrate focusing on heat spreading effect. An analytical thermal resistance model is presented for the LED array and validated by comparing it with finite element analysis (FEA) results. By using the analytical expression of thermal resistance, it is possible to understand the impact of design parameters (e.g., material properties, LED spacing, substrate thickness, etc.) on the package thermal resistance, bypassing the need for detailed computational simulations using FEA.     

基于COB技术的LED散热性能分析

当前,散热问题已成为影响LED寿命、光效、光衰和色温等技术参数的重要因素。文章在综合分析散热技术和LED封装对散热性能影响的基础上,利用COB(板上芯片)封装技术,将LED芯片直接封装在铝基板上,研制成了一种基于COB封装技术的LED。与SMD封装LED进行比较,分析了其散热性能。分析结果表明:基于COB封装技术的LED减少了LED器件的结构热阻和接触热阻,使其具有良好的散热性能。     

应用于大功率LED器件的回路热管散热研究

为解决大功率LED的散热问题,提出一种应用于大功率LED散热的微型回路热管,研究了充液率和倾斜角度对热管冷却大功率LED的启动性能、结温和热阻等特性的影响.研究结果表明:热管的最佳充液率为60％,系统的总热阻为7.5 K/W,此时对应的热管的热阻为1.6 K/W;热管的启动时间约为6.5 min,LED的结点温度被控制在42℃以下,很好地满足了大功率LED的结温稳定性要求.     

Study of Phosphor Thermal-Isolated Packaging Technologies for High-Power White Light-Emitting Diodes

A novel packaging configuration for high-power phosphor-converting white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) application is reported. In this packaging configuration, a thermal-isolated encapsulant layer was used to separate the phosphor coating layer from the LED chip and the submount. Experimental and finite-element method simulation results proved that this thermal management can prevent the heat of LED chip from transferring to the phosphor coating layer. The surface temperature of the phosphor coating layer is a 16.8degC lower than that of the conventional packaging at 500-mA driver current for 1-mm power GaN-based LED chip. Experimental results also show that this packaging configuration can improve the light-emitting power performance and color characteristics stability of the white LED, especially under high current operating condition.     

大功率集成LED光转换光源的研制

介绍了一种应用远程激发技术的大功率集成LED光转换光源,通过使用固晶区无绝缘层的镜面铝基板进行集成封装蓝光LED光源,即COB光源。所制蓝光光源与远程激发荧光粉模块结合制成LED光转换光源。利用镜面铝基板的高导热系数,解决多种LED封装形式下芯片点亮温度过高、光源衰减快的问题。采用LED荧光高分子模块与蓝光芯片分离结合的远程激发技术制成白光光源,解决荧光粉分布不均、热老化、色偏移问题。通过与传统粉胶封装方式制得的大功率集成LED器件比较测试,该种光源具有防眩光、光色均匀度高、长寿命、节能和环保的优点,从而具有更广泛的用途。     

Improved Light Extraction of Nitride-Based Flip-Chip Light-Emitting Diodes Via Sapphire Shaping and Texturing

A novel flip-chip structure of GaN-sapphire light-emitting diodes (LEDs) was developed to improve the external quantum efficiency, where the sapphire substrate was textured and shaped with beveled sidewalls using a wet etching technique. The forward voltage of the conventional flip-chip and shaped flip-chip GaN LEDs were 2.84 and 2.85 V at 20 mA, respectively. This indicates that the GaN LED was not destroyed during the sapphire wet etching process. It was found that the output power increased from 9.3 to 14.2 mW, corresponding to about 52% increases in the external quantum efficiency. The results agree well with the simulation data that the shaped flip-chip GaN LED can provide better light extraction efficiency than that of the conventional flip-chip sample     

基于高反射率DBR薄膜的倒装LED电极结构优化设计

为提升LED芯片的光提取效率和电流扩展能力,设计了双金属层环形叉指结构ITO/DBR电极的大功率倒装LED芯片,并对分布式布拉格反射镜(DBR)薄膜和环形叉指电极结构进行了仿真优化计算。利用TFcalc软件仿真计算了DBR堆栈方式、堆栈周期和参考波长对DBR反射率的影响。仿真结果表明,优化设计的双堆栈DBR薄膜在234nm宽波长范围内反射率均高于95%,对应蓝黄光区域(440~610nm)平均反射率高达98.95%,参考波长红移可以缓解DBR反射偏振效应。利用SimuLED软件仿真计算了电极结构对芯片电流扩展能力的影响。仿真结果表明,350mA电流输入情况下,单金属层电极电流密度均方差为44.36A/cm²,而双金属层环形叉指数目为3×3时,电流密度均方差降至14.37A/cm²。双金属层环形叉指电极降低了p、n电极间距,减小了电流流动路径,芯片电流扩展性能明显提升。     

Thermal/luminescence characterization and degradation mechanism analysis on phosphor-converted white LED chip scale packages

According to the requirements on minimizing the package size, guaranteeing the performance uniformity and improving the manufacturing efficiency in LEDs, a Chip Scale Packaging (CSP) technology has been developed to produce white LED chips by impressing a thin phosphor film on LED blue chips. In this paper, we prepared two types of phosphor-converted white LED CSPs with high color rendering index (CRI > 80, CCT ~ 3000 K and 5000 K) by using two mixed multicolor phosphor materials. Then, a series of testing and simulations were conducted to characterize both short- and long-term performance of prepared samples. A thermal analysis through both IR thermometry and electrical measurements and thermal simulation were conducted first to evaluate chip-on-board heat dissipation performance. Next, the luminescence mechanism of multicolor phosphor mixtures was studied with the spectral power distribution (SPD) simulation and near-field optical measurement. Finally, the extracted features of SPDs and electrical current-output power (I-P) curves measured before and after a long-term high temperature accelerated aging test were applied to analyze the degradation mechanisms. The results of this study show that: 1) The thermal management for prepared CSP samples provides a safe usage condition for packaging materials at ambient temperature; 2) The Mie theory with Monte-Carlo ray-tracing simulation can be used to simulate the SPD of Pc-white LEDs with mixed multicolor phosphors; 3) The degradation mechanisms of Pc-white LEDs can be determined by analyzing the extracted features of SPDs collected after aging.     

大功率LED封装散热技术研究

LED被称为第四代照明光源或者绿色光源,广泛地应用于手机闪光灯、大中尺寸显示器光源模块以及特殊用途照明系统,并将被扩展至一般照明系统设备.由于LED结温的高低直接影响到LED的出光效率、器件寿命、发光波长和可靠性等,因此如何提高散热能力是大功率LED实现产业化亟待解决的关键技术之一.介绍并分析了国内外大功率LED散热封装技术的研究现状,总结了其发展趋势并提出减少内部热沉的热阻可能是今后的发展方向.