7
October 2014
C
OVER
S
TORY
the two existing methods – mixed color from
monochromatic LEDs and phosphor con-
verted LEDs – to create a warm-white LED
light source with both high CRI (> 90) and high
luminous efficacy. This new approach makes
total luminous efficacies of over 110 lumens
per watt (lm/W) possible, producing up to 30
percent more light than phosphor-converted
warm-white LEDs with a comparable CRI, but
with similar power consumption.
Brilliant Mix is the mixing of two colors in
order to generate warm white light. This
approach uses red or amber monochromatic
LEDs, combined with special white LEDs
which have been shifted into the green range
(called EQ-White). EQ-White is produced
like a normal converted white LEDwith a blue
chip and green phosphor. The green phosphor
has a very low conversion loss rate and makes
for a very efficient light source in combination
with the blue chip. Advantages offered by the
Brilliant Mix Concept include high CRI, very
high LED efficacies (> 110 lm/W possible),
and warm white coverage from 2,700 K to
4,000 K. Luminous efficacies of the two light
sources are maintained (Figure 2), thus the
new approach makes for a high luminous effi-
cacy. The red LED is combined with EQ white
(a highly efficient source with majority of its
energy in within the green region of the visi-
ble spectrum, where the eye is most sensitive).
When these two sources combine in the cor-
rect ratio, we get a pleasant, warm white light
with a CRI over 90, giving us the ability to
identify differences in the shades of the purple,
blue and pink flowers by increasing our color
discrimination, or how vivid and easily distin-
guishable colors appear. The average CRI of
Brilliant Mix is very high (Ra >90).
Additionally, the highly compact OSLONSSL
LED is the vehicle for both phosphor-based
and Brilliant Mix solutions. The standard
phosphor conversion method produces
reduced efficacy, but implementation is eas-
ier. Brilliant Mix enables higher efficacy but
is more complex to implement. In the future,
lighting could dynamically adjust for any
lighting condition, accurately mimic lighting
conditions outside, and be able to provide a
fully customizable lighting environment for
individuals.
Figure 1. CRI is an indicator of how natural an object color appears when illuminated
Figure 2. Brilliant Mix is the mixing of two colors in order to generate warm white light
F
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