BASIC PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS

The technology is based on two physical phenomena: field emission and cathodoluminescence. To put it simply, this means that light is created by generating an electron flow in a cold cathode in the centre of the lamp. Electrons are emitted from the cathode and strike the inside of a lamp glass coated with a luminescent layer and a thin transparent conducting layer, creating light. The basic advantages of this method are low energy consumption and the lack of environmentally hazardous substances.

This technology can replace conventional bulbs, fluorescent tubes and low-energy lamps. The former are energy-inefficient (and are gradually disappearing from the market), while the latter contain mercury, which is an environmental problem. Field emission based technology can be used in multiple form factors, such as in bulbs, tubes and flat lamps.

Lamps that use LightLab technology can be used in most lighting applications, but also allow for new designs.

The basic principles of both field emission and cathodoluminescence have been known for a long time. Up to now, most applications of cathodoluminescence have been based on a hot cathode, that is to say a filament that emits electrons, and the technique has long been used in traditional televisions with picture tubes. LightLab bases its technology on a cold cathode (which is based on field emission). The advantage of a cold cathode is that the amount of energy used to heat the cathode is no longer lost, which leads in turn to lower energy consumption.

The heat that develops in a lamp based on LightLab's cold cathode technology mainly occurs in the light producing layer and in the drive electronics. This gives a further advantage in the development of integrated applications in which the lifetime and cost of the electronics is decisive and depends on the ambient temperature in the lamp. This also means that the lamp can be used in a range of other applications where heat radiation is not desirable.

Because no mercury is used, LightLab's technology offers a lighting product that is both energy efficient and eco-friendly. The product also gives good colour reproduction and an immediate start and is less sensitive to cold than traditional fluorescent tubes. Consequently, products based on LightLab's technology have a good opportunity to replace or supplement low-energy and LED lamps.