Patent Publication Number: US-9897267-B2

Title: Light emitter components, systems, and related methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to light emitter components, systems, and related methods. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to light emitting diode (LED) components and systems having improved optical efficiency lower cost. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Light emitters, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or LED chips are solid state devices that convert electrical energy into light. LED chips can be utilized in light emitter components for providing different colors and patterns of light useful in various lighting and optoelectronic applications. For example, light emitter components can be used in various LED light bulb and light fixture applications and are developing as replacements for incandescent, fluorescent, and metal halide high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting applications. 
     Manufacturers of LED lighting products are constantly seeking ways to reduce their cost in order to provide a lower initial cost to customers, and encourage the adoption of LED products. Brighter, more efficient LED components, which incorporate simpler electrical connections and use less expensive materials, can allow lighting manufacturers to use fewer LED chips to get the same brightness at a lower cost and/or increase brightness levels using the same LED chip count and power. Such improvements can enable delivery of improved light emitter components and/or systems for less total cost than other solutions. 
     One problem associated with conventional components which incorporate light emitters, such as LED chips, is that the LED chips are attached directly to surfaces of a printed circuit board (PCB) or metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB), which are expensive and include features which interfere with and/or absorb light. One solution to this problem includes depositing electrical traces directly over a ceramic panel, and then attaching the LED chips to the electrical traces. This, however, is disadvantageous as it requires electroplating traces down the entire length of the panel. This increases the cost of manufacturing the LED component, as it requires metallic plating materials and processing equipment. In addition, the metallic traces decrease optical efficiency by absorbing and/or interfering with light. Thus, this solution falls short of achieving a desired decrease in manufacturing costs and/or improved optical efficiency. 
     Thus, despite the availability of various light emitter components in the marketplace, a need remains for brighter, more cost-effective light emitter components and/or systems which consume the same and/or less power as compared to conventional components. Such components, systems, and methods can also make it easier for end-users to justify switching to LED products from a return on investment or payback perspective. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with this disclosure, light emitter components, systems, and methods are disclosed herein and have improved performance. For example, components, systems, and methods described herein can advantageously exhibit improved reflection, improved brightness, improved light extraction, and/or ease of manufacture. In some aspects, an improved, brighter light emitter component can be provided. The light emitter component can include a substrate, a first trace and a second trace provided on the substrate, and a string of LED chips provided on the substrate. In some aspects, the string of LED chips can be disposed between the first trace and the second trace. 
     In some aspects, the substrate can comprise an elongated body. In some aspects, the first and second traces can be disposed only at proximate the outermost edges or opposing ends of substrate. In some aspects, a majority of the LED chips can be spaced apart from the first trace by approximately 2 millimeters (mm) or more. 
     In some aspects, the substrate can comprise a ceramic material. In some aspects, substrate can comprise a length of approximately 20 mm or more. In some aspects, the substrate can comprise a length of approximately 80 mm or more. 
     In some aspects, each of the first and second traces can comprise a length that is less than approximately one half of the overall length of the board or substrate (e.g., less than approximately 10 mm for a 20 mm substrate), a length that is less than approximately one quarter of the overall length of the substrate (e.g., less than approximately 5 mm for a 20 mm substrate), a length that is less than approximately one eighth of the overall length of the substrate (e.g., less than approximately 2.5 mm for a 20 mm substrate), or a length of less than approximately one sixteenth of the overall length of the substrate (e.g., less than approximately 1.25 mm for a 20 mm substrate). In some aspects, each trace can comprise a total length of approximately 1 mm or less. 
     In some aspects, the string of LED chips can be serially connected between the first and the second trace. In some aspects, LED chips can be serially connected via gold (Au) wires, silver (Ag) wires, copper (Cu) wires, aluminum (Al) wires, and/or combinations or alloys thereof. In some aspects, the string of LED chips can comprise 10 or more LED chips. In some aspects, the string of LED chips can comprise 20 or more LED chips. 
     In some aspects, a bus wire can extend along a portion of the elongated substrate. In some aspects, the bus wire can be disposed on a back side of the substrate which opposes the string of LED chips. In some aspects, a separate conductive or metal foil area can be disposed over the substrate and extend between portions of the first and second trace. 
     In some aspects, at least one insulation displacement connector (IDC) can be disposed on the substrate. In some aspects, a first IDC connector can be disposed over the first trace, and a second IDC connector can be disposed over the second trace. In some aspects, the IDC connector can be disposed on a back side of the substrate which opposes the string of LED chips. 
     In some aspects, a plurality of light emitter components can be provided in a system. Each of the light emitter components can be electrically connected via a bus element, such as a bus wire or a bus surface of conductive foil. In some aspects, the system of light emitter components can be provided in a light bulb, light fixture, or system for use in strip lighting applications. 
     These and other objects of the present disclosure as can become apparent from the disclosure herein are achieved, at least in whole or in part, by the subject matter disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter including the best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill in the art is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view illustrating a light emitter component according to one aspect of the disclosure herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view illustrating a light emitter component according to another aspect of the disclosure herein; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are detailed views illustrating a portion of a light emitter component according to aspects of the disclosure herein; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view illustrating a portion of a light emitter component according to one aspect of the disclosure herein; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view illustrating a portion of a light emitter component according to one aspect of the disclosure herein; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view illustrating a portion of a light emitter component according to one aspect of the disclosure herein; 
         FIGS. 7A through 7C  are top views illustrating light emitter components and systems according to aspects of the disclosure herein; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating light emitter components and a system according to one aspect of the disclosure herein; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view illustrating a light emitter system according to one aspect of the disclosure herein; 
         FIGS. 10A to 10C  are perspective and top plan views illustrating light emitter components and systems according to aspects of the disclosure herein; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating a light emitter system according to aspects of the disclosure herein; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view illustrating a light emitter system according to aspects of the disclosure herein; and 
         FIG. 13  is a side view illustrating a light emitter component of a light emitter system according to aspects of the disclosure herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein is directed to components, systems, and methods for use with light emitters, such as solid state light emitting devices and light emitting diodes (LEDs) or LED chips. Components, systems, and methods described herein can be adapted to exhibit improved performance, for example, improved efficiency, brightness, light extraction, thermal and/or optical efficiency. In some aspects, each of these improvements contributes to and/or can be provided at a lower cost than conventional components. 
     Components described herein can utilize one or more novel traces, novel bus elements (e.g., bus wires or bus surfaces) disposed along a substrate, novel wirebonds, novel substrates, and/or novel connectors for producing brighter and less expensive light emitter products. 
     In some aspects, light emitter components described herein can comprise a substrate, a first trace and a second trace provided on the substrate, and a string of LED chips provided on the substrate. In some aspects, the string of LED chips can be disposed between the first trace and the second trace. In some aspects, the substrate can comprise an elongated body. 
     In some aspects, the first and second traces can comprise novel adhesive and/or flexible materials and can be disposed proximate the outermost edges or opposing ends of substrate. In some aspects, the first and second traces can be disposed only proximate the outermost edges or ends of substrate. In some aspects, the first and second traces can overlap portions of adjacent substrates. In some aspects, traces can be substantially shorter in length than a length of the substrate. 
     In some aspects, a majority of the LED chips can be spaced apart from the first trace by approximately 2 millimeters (mm) or more. In some aspects, a majority of the LED chips can be spaced apart from the first trace by approximately 5 millimeters (mm) or more. 
     In some aspects, the substrate can comprise a ceramic material. In some aspects, the board or substrate can comprise a length of approximately 20 mm or more. In some aspects, the substrate can comprise a length of approximately 80 mm or more. 
     In some aspects, each of the first and second traces can comprise a total length that is less than approximately one half of the overall length of the board or substrate (e.g., less than approximately 10 mm for a 20 mm substrate), a length that is less than approximately one quarter of the overall length of the substrate (e.g., less than approximately 5 mm for a 20 mm substrate), a length that is less than approximately one eighth of the overall length of the substrate (e.g., less than approximately 2.5 mm for a 20 mm substrate), or a length of less than approximately one sixteenth of the overall length of the substrate (e.g., less than approximately 1.25 mm for a 20 mm substrate). In some aspects, each trace can be approximately 1 mm or less in length. 
     In some aspects, the string of LED chips can be serially connected between the first and the second trace. In some aspects, LED chips can be serially connected via gold (Au) wires, silver (Ag) wires, copper (Cu) wires, aluminum (Al) wires, and/or combinations or alloys thereof. In some aspects, the string of LED chips can comprise 10 or more LED chips. In some aspects, the string of LED chips can comprise 20 or more LED chips. 
     In some aspects, a bus wire can extend along a portion of the elongated substrate. In some aspects, the bus wire can be disposed on a back side of the substrate which opposes the string of LED chips. In some aspects, a separate conductive or metal foil area can be disposed over the substrate and extend between portions of the first and second trace. In some aspects, at least one insulation displacement connector (IDC) can be disposed on the substrate. In some aspects, a first IDC connector can be disposed over the first trace and a second IDC connector can be disposed over the second trace. In some aspects, the IDC connector can be disposed on a back side of the substrate which opposes the string of LED chips. 
     Reference will be made in detail to possible aspects or embodiments of the subject matter herein, one or more examples of which are shown in the figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not as a limitation. In fact, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the subject matter disclosed and envisioned herein covers such modifications and variations. 
     Notably, the novel traces provided at ends of light emitter components, systems, and/or methods disclosed herein can produce more efficient and brighter components by reducing and/or eliminating an amount of light that impinges a surface of one or more traces, thereby, reducing or eliminating an amount of light blocked, absorbed, or otherwise interfered with by the traces. 
     As illustrated in the various figures, some sizes of structures or portions are exaggerated relative to other structures or portions for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of the present subject matter. Furthermore, various aspects of the present subject matter are described with reference to a structure or a portion being formed on other structures, portions, or both. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, references to a structure being formed “on” or “above” another structure or portion contemplates that additional structure, portion, or both may intervene. References to a structure or a portion being formed “on” another structure or portion without an intervening structure or portion are described herein as being formed “directly on” the structure or portion. Similarly, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached”, or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or “directly coupled” to another element, no intervening elements are present. 
     Furthermore, relative terms such as “on”, “above”, “upper”, “top”, “lower”, or “bottom” are used herein to describe one structure&#39;s or portion&#39;s relationship to another structure or portion as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms such as “on”, “above”, “upper”, “top”, “lower” or “bottom” are intended to encompass different orientations of the component or component in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the component or component in the figures is turned over, structure or portion described as “above” other structures or portions would now be oriented “below” the other structures or portions. Likewise, if the component or component in the figures are rotated along an axis, structure or portion described as “above”, other structures or portions would be oriented “next to” or “left of” the other structures or portions. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Unless the absence of one or more elements is specifically recited, the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” as used herein should be interpreted as open-ended terms that do not preclude the presence of one or more elements. 
     As used herein a “ceramic based material” or the term “ceramic based” includes a material that consists primarily of a ceramic material, such as an inorganic material made from compounds of a metal or metalloid and a non-metal (e.g., aluminum nitride (AlN), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), beryllium oxide (BeO), silicon carbide (SiC)). A “non-ceramic based material” consists primarily of a metallic material, a primarily organic (e.g., polymeric) material, and/or a primarily synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solid that can be dispensed or molded (e.g., plastic). 
     Light emitter components according to embodiments described herein can comprise group III-V nitride (e.g., gallium nitride (GaN)) based LED chips or lasers. Fabrication of LED chips and lasers is generally known and only briefly described herein. LED chips or lasers can be fabricated on a growth substrate, for example, a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate, such as those devices manufactured and sold by Cree, Inc. of Durham, N.C. Other growth substrates are also contemplated herein, for example and not limited to sapphire, silicon (Si), and GaN. In one aspect, SiC substrates/layers can be 4H polytype silicon carbide substrates/layers. Other SiC candidate polytypes, such as 3C, 6H, and 15R polytypes, however, can be used. Appropriate SiC substrates are available from Cree, Inc., of Durham, N.C., the assignee of the present subject matter, and the methods for producing such substrates are set forth in the scientific literature as well as in a number of commonly assigned U.S. patents, including but not limited to U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,861, U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,547, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,022, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Any other suitable growth substrates are contemplated herein. 
     As used herein, the term “Group III nitride” refers to those semiconducting compounds formed between nitrogen and one or more elements in Group III of the periodic table, usually aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), and indium (In). The term also refers to binary, ternary, and quaternary compounds such as GaN, AlGaN and AlInGaN. The Group III elements can combine with nitrogen to form binary (e.g., GaN), ternary (e.g., AlGaN), and quaternary (e.g., AlInGaN) compounds. These compounds may have empirical formulas in which one mole of nitrogen is combined with a total of one mole of the Group III elements. Accordingly, formulas such as AlxGa1-xN where 1&gt;x&gt;0 are often used to describe these compounds. Techniques for epitaxial growth of Group III nitrides have become reasonably well developed and reported in the appropriate scientific literature. 
     Although various embodiments of LED chips disclosed herein can comprise a growth substrate, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the crystalline epitaxial growth substrate on which the epitaxial layers comprising an LED chip are grown can be removed, and the freestanding epitaxial layers can be mounted on a substitute carrier substrate or substrate which can have different thermal, electrical, structural and/or optical characteristics than the original substrate. The subject matter described herein is not limited to structures having crystalline epitaxial growth substrates and can be used in connection with structures in which the epitaxial layers have been removed from their original growth substrates and bonded to substitute carrier substrates. 
     Group III nitride based LED chips according to some embodiments of the present subject matter, for example, can be fabricated on growth substrates (e.g., Si, SiC, or sapphire substrates) to provide horizontal devices (with at least two electrical contacts on a same side of the LED chip) or vertical devices (with electrical contacts on opposing sides of the LED chip). Moreover, the growth substrate can be maintained on the LED chip after fabrication or removed (e.g., by etching, grinding, polishing, etc.). The growth substrate can be removed, for example, to reduce a thickness of the resulting LED chip and/or to reduce a forward voltage through a vertical LED chip. A horizontal device (with or without the growth substrate), for example, can be flip chip bonded (e.g., using solder) to a carrier substrate or printed circuit board (PCB), or wirebonded. A vertical device (with or without the growth substrate) can have a first terminal (e.g., anode or cathode) solder bonded to a carrier substrate, mounting pad, or PCB and a second terminal (e.g., the opposing anode or cathode) wirebonded to the carrier substrate, electrical element, or PCB. Examples of vertical and horizontal LED chip structures are discussed by way of example in U.S. Publication No. 2008/0258130 to Bergmann et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,791,061 to Edmond et al. which issued on Sep. 7, 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     One or more solid state light emitters such as LED chips, and notably, portions of light emitter components described herein such as portions of the ceramic based substrate, lens, and/or traces can be at least partially coated with one or more phosphors. The phosphors can absorb a portion of light from the LED chip and emit a different wavelength of light such that the light emitter component emits a combination of light from each of the LED chip and the phosphor. In one embodiment, the light emitter component emits what is perceived as white light resulting from a combination of light emission from the LED chip and the phosphor. In one embodiment according to the present subject matter, a white emitting component can consist of an LED chip that emits light in the blue wavelength spectrum and a phosphor that absorbs some of the blue light and re-emits light in the yellow wavelength spectrum. The component can therefore emit a white light combination of blue and yellow light. In other embodiments, the LED chips emit a non-white light combination of blue and yellow light as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,940. LED chips emitting red light or LED chips covered by a phosphor that absorbs LED light and emits a red light are also contemplated herein. 
     LED chips can be coated with a phosphor using many different methods, with one suitable method being described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/656,759 and 11/899,790, both entitled “Wafer Level Phosphor Coating Method and Devices Fabricated Utilizing Method”, and both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Other suitable methods for coating one or more LED chips are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,058,088 entitled “Phosphor Coating Systems and Methods for Light Emitting Structures and Component Light Emitting Diodes Including Phosphor Coating” which issued on Nov. 15, 2011, and the continuation-in-part application U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/717,048 entitled “Systems and Methods for Application of Optical Materials to Optical Elements”, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. LED chips can also be coated using other methods such as electrophoretic deposition (EPD), with a suitable EPD method described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/473,089 entitled “Close Loop Electrophoretic Deposition of Semiconductor Devices”, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It is understood that light emitter components and methods according to the present subject matter can also have multiple LED chips of different colors, one or more of which can be white emitting. 
       FIGS. 1 to 9  are embodiments of components, systems, and methods for use with light emitters, such as LED chips. Light emitter components and systems described herein can advantageously be configured for improved performance, such as improved brightness and/or optical components at an improved, lower cost than conventional components and systems. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a light emitter component generally designated  10 . Light emitter component  10  can comprise a panel substrate  12  for supporting one or more solid state light emitters, such as one or more LED chips  14 . In some aspects, panel substrate  12  can comprise an elongated body adapted for use in strip lighting products, however, any application and/or any size or shape of substrate is contemplated and can be provided. In some aspects, multiple LED chips  14  can be supported and provided over portions of substrate  12 . A plurality, an array, and/or any pattern, design, and/or arrangement of LED chips  14  can be provided over substrate  12 . For illustration purposes, LED chips  14  are illustrated as being disposed adjacent each other in a substantially straight line, however, LED chips  14  can be arranged in any suitable configuration, such as for example in a “checkerboard” arrangement, wherein LED chips  14  alternate above and/or below a substantially straight line. In other aspects, LED chips  14  can be arranged diagonally and/or angled with respect to each other. Any configuration of LED chips  14  can be provided and is contemplated herein. 
     In some aspects, LED chips  14  can be serially connected to each other and comprise one or more strings, generally designated S. In some aspects, LED chips  14  can be serially connected to each other in one or more strings S via electrical connectors, such as wirebonds  16 . That is, component  10  can comprise one or more strings of chip-to-chip wirebonded LED chips  14 . Notably, this arrangement of LED chips  14  can allow for novel placement of electrical traces. In some aspects, electrical traces can be disposed proximate the ends of substrate  12 . In some aspects, electrical traces can be disposed only at the ends of substrate  12 . For example, in some aspects LED chips  14  can be centrally disposed between a first electrically conductive trace, generally designated  18  and a second electrically conductive trace, generally designated  20 . 
     In some aspects, wirebonds  16  can comprise any suitable electrically conductive material. For example, in some aspects, wirebonds  16  can comprise gold (Au) or an Au alloy. In other aspects, wirebonds  16  can comprise aluminum (Al) or Al alloys, copper (Cu) or Cu alloys, or silver (Ag) or Ag alloys. Notably, Al, Cu and Ag can be less expensive than Au, and further reduce the cost associated with producing light emitter components described herein. 
     In some aspects, first and second traces  18  and  20  can comprise electrically conductive components or portions of material which provide electrical communication between an electrical current or power source (not shown) and the string of LED chips  14 . In some aspects, first trace  18  can be disposed proximate a first end  22  of substrate  12 , and second trace  20  can be disposed proximate a second end  24  of substrate  12 . In some aspects, no other portion of the first trace  18  or second trace  20  extends or is disposed between the first and second ends  22  and  24  of substrate  12 . That is, in some aspects, first and second traces  18  and  20  terminate proximate the ends of the substrate  12 , and do not extend in length beyond a length of at least three light emitter chips in a string of chips. In some aspects, first and second traces  18  and  20  do not extend in length beyond a length of at least one light emitter chip. In some aspects, first and second ends  22  and  24  of substrate  12  can be opposing ends and/or opposing outermost edges of substrate  12 . In some aspects, first and second traces  18  and  22  extend to a length that is less than one half of the overall length of the substrate, less than one quarter of the overall length of the substrate, less than one eighth of the overall length of the substrate, or less than one sixteenth of the overall length of the substrate. 
     Notably, applying first and second traces  18  and  20  proximate outermost edges or ends of substrate  12  can conserve materials and/or reduce processing time associated with providing traces, as the traces do not run the entire length of substrate  12 . Reduced material consumption and processing times can each advantageously lower the cost associated with manufacturing component  10 . The novel traces and/or placement of novel traces can also reduce or eliminate some negative effects that traces may have upon light output, or overall component brightness. For example and in some aspects, traces can comprise metallic materials that may block, absorb, and/or otherwise interfere with light. Thus, minimizing a length of first and second traces  18  and  20 , strategically placing the traces near the ends of component  10 , and/or increasing or maximizing a distance between LED chips  14  and first and second traces  18  and  20 , can in turn provide brighter, more optically efficient components as any effects of traces upon light output can be minimized. 
     In some aspects, first and second traces  18  and  20  allow LED chips  14  to electrically communicate to a power source (not shown). First and second traces  18  and  20 , respectively, can each electrically communicate directly with at least one LED chip  14 , for example, first and second traces  18  and  20  can electrically communicate directly with first and last LED chips, respectively, within a given string S of serially connected LED chips  14 . In some aspects, first and second traces  18  and  20  can each comprise a first attachment portion A1 and a second attachment portion A2. First and second attachment portions A1 and A2 can be electrically connected via an intervening, third attachment portion A3. 
     In some aspects, each of first, second, and intervening attachment portions A1, A2, and A3, respectively, can comprise portions of electrically conductive material such as a metal or metal alloy. In some aspects, wires carrying electrical current to or from a power source (not shown) can attach to first attachment portions A1 of traces via soldering, welding, clamping, crimping, hooking, riveting, gluing, via adhesive, combinations thereof, or using any other suitable connecting materials and/or methods. That is, in some aspects, first attachment portion A1 can comprise a solder pad comprising exposed metal, such as exposed copper (Cu), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), tin (Sn), electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG), aluminum (Al), combinations thereof, and/or any other electrically conductive material(s). In other aspects, first attachment portion A1 can electrically communicate with and/or comprise a connecting member or connector, such as an insulation displacement connector (IDC) as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . In some aspects, IDCs can be adapted to fixedly retain and electrically communicate with portions of an electrical wire from a power source. 
     In some aspects, LED chips  14  can electrically communicate directly with first and second traces  18  and  20 , for example, by attaching to second attachment portions A2 via electrical connectors or wirebonds  16 . In some aspects, the power source (not shown) and string S of LED chips  14  can electrically communicate via mutually bonding, attaching, and/or electrically communicating to portions of the same trace, such as bonding, attaching, and/or electrically communicating to various attachment portions of first trace  18  and/or second trace  20 . In some aspects, portions of first and second traces  18  and  20  can comprise flexible circuitry components, cross-circuitry components, and/or internal circuitry components, such as electrically conductive through-holes or vias, disposed within portions of substrate  12 . 
     In some aspects, first and second traces  18  and  20  can comprise an anode and cathode pair configured to pass electrical current or signal into LED chips  14 . For example, electrical current can be conveyed from an outside electrical power source (not shown) into one or first attachment portions A1 and into respective traces  18  and  20 . The electrical current can then flow or pass between first and second traces  18  and  20  and into LED chips  14  thereby causing illumination of the plurality of LED chips  14 . Although not shown, it is contemplated that in some aspects, substrate  12  can comprise one or more symbol indicators, such as a “+” shaped symbol or shape disposed thereon for indicating the electrical polarity of first trace  18  and/or second trace  20 . 
     According to some aspects, electrical current can flow along a path from a first terminal (e.g., anode or cathode) of a power source (not shown) into first attachment portion A1 of first trace  18 , and into second attachment portion A2 of first trace  18  via intervening attachment portion A3. The electrical current can flow from first trace  18  into a first LED chip within string S, and then into each LED chip  14  of string S causing illumination of chips in string S. The electrical current can flow out from a last LED chip of string S and pass into second trace  20 . Electrical current can then flow into an electrical member attached to first attachment portion A1. In some aspects, current can flow into another, adjacent component similar to light emitter component  10  via a wire member attached to adjacent first attachment portions A1 of adjacent traces on adjacent substrates. In some aspects, electrical current can flow into a second terminal (e.g., an anode or a cathode) of the power source, for example, where an electrical member, such as a wire member of power source is attached to second attachment portion A2. First and second electrical traces  18  and  20  can be adapted to channel or pass electrical current directly into and out of string S and LED chips  14  within string S. 
     Substrate  12  can comprise any suitable size or dimension, for example, any suitable length L and/or any suitable width W. Any suitable thickness T ( FIG. 4 ) can also be provided. In some aspects, substrate  12  of component  10  can comprise a length of approximately 5 millimeters (mm) or more, approximately 10 mm or more, approximately 20 mm or more, approximately 40 mm or more, approximately 60 mm or more, approximately 88 mm or more, or more than approximately 100 mm in length L. In some aspects, substrate  12  of component  10  can comprise a width W of approximately 1 mm or more, approximately 2 mm or more, approximately 5 mm or more, approximately 10 mm or more, approximately 15 mm or more, or more than approximately 20 mm in width W. Substrate  12  can comprise any suitable shape, for example, such as a square shape, a rectangular shape, a non-rectangular shape, a circular shape, a curved shape, a symmetric shape, an asymmetric shape, and/or any other shape. 
     In some aspects, each of the first and second traces  18  and  20  can comprise a length (e.g., a length extending from attachment area A1 through area A3) that is less than approximately one half of the overall length of substrate  12  (e.g., less than approximately 10 mm for a 20 mm substrate), a length that is less than approximately one quarter of the overall length of substrate  12  (e.g., less than approximately 5 mm for a 20 mm substrate), a length that is less than approximately one eighth of the overall length of substrate  12  (e.g., less than approximately 2.5 mm for a 20 mm substrate), or a length of less than approximately one sixteenth of the overall length of substrate  12  (e.g., less than approximately 1.25 mm for a 20 mm substrate). In some aspects, each trace  18  and  20  can comprise a total length of approximately 1 mm or less. 
     In some aspects, substrate  12  can comprise a substantially flat upper surface upon which one or more LED chips  14  can be linearly disposed along a same planar upper surface of substrate  12 . In some aspects, component  10  can be adapted for incorporation into a lighting fixture, bulb, or system, such as a tube light, string light, bi-pin light bulb, or any other directional lighting bulb fixture or system (e.g.,  FIG. 9 ). In some aspects, a single component  10  can be used in a fixture or system, in other aspects, multiple, serially or parallel connected components  10  can be used in a fixture or system. 
     Substrate  12  can comprise any suitable material, for example, an electrically insulating (e.g. substantially non-electrically conductive) material with a low thermal resistance and/or high thermal conductivity. In one aspect, substrate  12  can for example comprise a non-metallic material, such as a ceramic or ceramic based material. For example, substrate  12  can comprise aluminum oxide or alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) and derivatives thereof, aluminum nitride (AlN) and derivatives thereof, silicon carbide (SiC) and derivatives thereof, zirconium dioxide or zirconia (ZrO 2 ) and derivatives thereof, titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and derivatives thereof, combinations thereof, and/or any other ceramic based or ceramic containing material. In one aspect, substrate  12  can comprise AlN and/or Al 2 O 3  which can advantageously comprise a low thermal resistance. Material(s) having a low thermal resistance may be advantageous when provided as substrate  12 , as heat can more readily dissipate from LED chips  14  and allow light emitter components disclosed herein to run cooler at steady state, thereby increasing lumen output. 
     In some aspects, substrate  12  can comprise a material having a thermal conductivity of approximately 30 watts per meter kelvin (W/m·K) or more (e.g., zinc oxide (ZnO)). Other acceptable materials have thermal conductivities of approximately 120 W/m·K or more, (e.g., AlN which has a thermal conductivity that can range from approximately 140 to approximately 180 W/m·K). In terms of thermal resistance, some acceptable materials have a thermal resistance of approximately 2° C./W or lower. Other materials may also be used that have thermal characteristics outside the ranges discussed herein. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates another light emitter component, generally designated  30 . Light emitter component  30  can be similar in form and function to component  10 , however, light emitter component  30  can comprise connector members, as well as traces, disposed at opposing ends or edges of a component substrate  32 . One or more light emitters, such as LED chips  34 , can be disposed over and/or supported by substrate  32 . Substrate  32  can, for example, comprise a ceramic or ceramic based material. LED chips  34  can be mounted or attached to portions of substrate  32  via silicone, adhesive, epoxy, solder, or any other suitable material for attaching LED chips  34  to substrate  32 . LED chips  34  can be electrically connected via wirebonds  36 . Wirebonds  36  can comprise Au, Ag, Cu, Al, or any combination or alloy thereof. In one aspect, one string S of LED chips  34  can be provided. In further aspects, more than one string S of LED chips  34  can be provided. Notably, LED chips  34  can be serially connected between first and second traces  38  and  40 , respectively, and can be disposed at variable distances away from first and second traces  38  and  40  such that traces do not block, absorb, or interfere with light. Thus, components  30  can exhibit an improved brightness, without having to introduce more LED chips  34  and/or without having to use more power. 
     In some aspects, LED chips  34  can be spaced at various distances D 1 , D 2 , . . . , D N  (where N is any whole number integer) away from at least one of first and second traces  38  and  40 . Distance D can vary with respect to chip spacing within string S, and with respect to length L of substrate  32 . For example, some LED chips  34  can be disposed a first distance D 1  away from at least one trace, some LED chips  34  can be spaced a second distance D 2  away from at least one trace, and some LED chips  34  can be spaced a distance D N  away from at least one trace. In some aspects, LED chips  34  can be spaced distances D 1 , D 2 , . . . , D N  of at least approximately 1 mm or more away from at least one trace, at least approximately 2 mm or more away from at least one trace, at least approximately at least one 5 mm or more away from at least one trace, at least approximately 7 mm or more away from at least one trace, or more than approximately 10 mm away from at least one trace. 
     For illustration purposes, seventeen LED chips  34  are shown, however, more or less LED chips  34  are contemplated. LED chips  34  can be arranged in multiple strings S and/or an array or multiple arrays. In some aspects, only two LED chips  34  are contemplated, however, more than 2 LED chips  34  can also be provided. In some aspects, more than 5 LED chips  34  can be provided per component  30 , in other aspects, more than 10 LED chips  34  can be provided per component  30 , in other aspects, more than 15 LED chips  34  can be provided per component  30 , in other aspects, more than 20 LED chips  34  can be provided per component  30 . In some aspects, component  30  can comprise 26 LED chips  34 . LED chips  34  can comprise the same and/or different colors and/or targeted wavelength range, including for example, being configured to emit light that is red, blue, cyan, green, amber, red-orange, yellow, white, and/or combinations thereof. For example, where multiple LED chips  34  are used, LED chips  34  can comprise the same, similar, and/or different targeted wavelength bins including red, blue, cyan, green, amber, red-orange, and/or combinations thereof. 
     LED chips  34  can comprise any suitable dimension, size, structure, and/or shape. For example, square and/or rectangle LED chips  34  having straight cut and/or bevel cut sides are contemplated herein. In one aspect, LED chips  34  can comprise a chip having a length and/or width that is approximately 0.1 mm (e.g., 100 μm) or more, for example, LED chips  34  can comprise a length and/or width of approximately 0.1 to 0.5 mm; approximately 0.5 to 0.75 mm; approximately 0.75 to 0.85 mm; approximately 0.85 to 0.95 mm; or approximately 1 mm or more. Any size and/or shape of LED chips  34  is contemplated herein. In some aspects, light emitter component  30  can comprise a plurality of light emitters that are each an identical size. In other aspects, light emitters of different sizes (large and small) can be used together within component  30 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , substrate  12  can comprise a first edge or end  42  and an opposing second edge or end  44 . In some aspects, first and second ends  42  and  44  can be disposed at opposite sides of substrate  12 . First and second traces  38  and  40  can be disposed at respective first and second opposing ends  42  and  44 . In some aspects, one or more connecting members, such as first and/or second connectors C 1  and C 2  can be disposed at different ends of component  30 . Connectors C 1  and C 2  are schematically indicated in  FIG. 2 , and can comprise either a single socket or multi-socketed type of IDC connector as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The same type of connector can be installed at both a first end  42  and a second opposing end  44  of component. That is, in some aspects, first connector C 1  can be provided at first and second ends  42  and  44 . In other aspects, second connector C 2  can be provided at first and second ends  42  and  44 . In other aspects first connector C 1  can be provided at one end and second type of connector C 2  can be installed at another end of substrate  32 . For example, in some aspects first connector C 1  can be disposed at first end  42  and second connector C 2  can be disposed at second end  44 , or vice versa. 
     First and/or second connectors C 1  and C 2  can be disposed over portions of each trace, such as first and second traces  38  and  40 . In some aspects, LED chips  34  can electrically communicate with traces and/or connectors. For example, in some aspects first and/or second connectors C 1  and C 2  can provide a surface for termination of wirebond  36 . In other aspects, wirebonds  36  can terminate directly at portions of first and second traces  38  and  40 . Traces and/or connectors provide areas for mutually connecting a power source (not shown) to LED chips  34  for providing illumination of the chips. Notably, first and second traces  38  and  40  as well as first and/or second connectors C 1  and/or C 2  can be provided at opposing end portions of substrate  32  for minimizing or preventing interference of light by such components, thereby improving brightness and/or light extraction from component  30 . 
     In some aspects, first and second traces  38  and  40  can be substantially smaller in length than a length L of substrate  32 . For example, a length of first and second traces  38  and  40  can be less than approximately half the length of substrate  32 , less than approximately one-quarter the length of substrate  32 , less than approximately one-fifth the length of substrate  32 , less than approximately one-tenth the length of substrate  32 , less than approximately one-sixteenth the length of substrate  32 , or less than approximately one-twentieth the length of substrate  32 . 
     In some aspects, first and second traces  38  and  40  can be substantially smaller in width than width W of substrate  32 . For example, a width of first and second traces  38  and  40  can be less than approximately half the width of substrate  32 , less than approximately one-quarter the width of substrate  32 , less than approximately one-fifth the width of substrate  32 , less than approximately one-tenth the width of substrate  32 , or less than approximately one-sixteenth the width of substrate  32 . 
     In some aspects, LED chips  34  can be spaced at various distances D 1 , D 2 , . . . , D N  (where N is any whole number integer) away from connectors including first and/or second connectors C 1  and/or C 2 , in addition to being spaced apart from traces. For example, some LED chips  34  can be disposed at least a first distance D 1  away from at least one connector, some LED chips  34  can be spaced at least a second distance D 2  away from at least one connector, some LED chips  34  can be spaced at least a distance D N  away from at least one connector. In some aspects, LED chips  34  can be spaced at various distances D 1 , D 2 , . . . , D N  away from at least one connector, for example, at least approximately 1 mm or more away from a connector, at least approximately 2 mm or more away from a connector, at least approximately 5 mm or more away from away from a connector, at least approximately 7 mm or more away from a connector, or more than approximately 10 mm away from a connector. In some aspects, a majority of LED chips  34  disposed on substrate  12  can be spaced at least approximately 2 mm or more away from a trace and/or a connector. In some aspects, a majority of LED chips  34  disposed on substrate  12  can be spaced at least approximately 5 mm or more away from a trace and/or a connector. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate different embodiments of connectors for use in light emitter components. In one aspect, connectors can comprise IDCs adapted to electrically couple LED chips  34  ( FIG. 2 ) to a power source (not shown). Referring to  FIG. 3A  and in some aspects, first connector C 1  can be mounted over a portion of a trace, such as first trace  38 . In one aspect, a component can comprise at least two connectors provided over two opposing ends or edges of substrate  32 . In one aspect, first connector C 1  can comprise a base or body portion generally designated  50  and an optional protective cap portion  52 . Base or body portion  50  can comprise one or more leg portions  54  separated by one or more gaps generally designated  56 . Leg portions  54  can be configured to displace (e.g., via cutting, piercing, or biting) an insulated portion E 1  of an electrical wire E, thereby piercing through the insulated covering and electrically connecting with a conductive portion E 2  of electrical wire E. In some aspects, electrical wire E can electrically communicate with a power source (not shown) and supply electrical current to light emitter component  30 . In some aspects, electrical wire E can comprise a bus wire (see e.g.,  FIG. 7A ) for “bussing” or supplying electrical current from the power source to adjacent light emitter components  30 . 
     Base portion  50  can comprise a metal, metal alloy, and/or any other suitable material which can be electrically conductive. Base portion  50  can further comprise a surface  58  adapted to physically and electrically connect with one or more wirebonds  36  ( FIG. 2 ). In some aspects, one or more LED chips  34  ( FIG. 2 ) can electrically communicate with first connector C 1  by wirebonding to portions of surface  58 . First connector C 1  can, therefore, provide surfaces to which LED chips  34  ( FIG. 2 ) and a power source (e.g., via electrical wire E) can electrically communicate. Thus, first connector C 1  can electrically couple string S of LED chips  34  ( FIG. 2 ) to a power source and/or other electrical components such as a bus wire. Protective cap  52  can optionally be provided over portions of electrical wire E and base  50 , upon feeding electrical wire E between one or more leg portions  54 . 
     As  FIG. 3B  illustrates, a multi-socketed connector can also be provided over one or more portions of substrate  32 . Multi-socketed connectors can allow more than one electrical connector from multiple different electrical components to connect and electrically communicate. In one aspect, second connector C 2  can comprise at least two sockets disposed in a body portion  60 . More than two sockets can be provided and are contemplated herein. In some aspects, each socket can be adapted to receive a portion of an electrical wire E and pierce through an insulated portion E 1  of wire for electrically connecting to a conductive portion E 2  of wire. Electrical wires E can be received between and/or within one or more gap portions  62 . Side walls about gap portions  62  can pierce, “bite”, or otherwise displace insulated portion E 1  of electrical wire E for connecting to conductive portion E 2 . In some aspects, second connector C 2  can electrically couple or connect more than two electrical sources or components. For example, in some aspects second connector C 2  can be adapted to electrically connect a power source, one or more strings of LED chips  34  ( FIG. 2 ), an ESD protection device, a surge protector, a controller, a switch, a bus wire and/or any other source or carrier of electrical current. 
     In one aspect, electrical wire E from a power source can be received in a first socket between side walls of at least one gap generally designated  62 . In some aspects, electrical wires can comprise bus wires adapted to carry electrical current from the power source to multiple boards or substrates as described below with respect to  FIG. 7A . In other aspects, an electrical wire E from an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device (e.g., a Zener diode, surface mount varistor, and/or a differently dimensioned and/or smaller LED chip arranged reverse biased to LED chips  34 ,  FIG. 2 ) can be received in a second, adjacent socket between side walls of at least one other gap  62 . In some aspects, a wire E from one or more LED chips  34  ( FIG. 3 ) can be received in a socket between a gap  62 . In other aspects, one or more LED chips  34  can be wirebonded to a portion of trace  38  and/or a portion of second connector C 2 . That is, in some aspects one or more wirebonds  36  ( FIG. 2 ) can terminate over portions of second connector C 2 . In other aspects, LED chips can wirebond to electrical trace  38 . Electrical elements  64  of second connector C 2  can electrically communicate with portions of trace  38 , such that electrical wires E connected to second connector C 2  can be electrically coupled to trace  38  and any LED chips  34  ( FIG. 2 ) wirebonded thereto. 
     A sectional view of a portion of a trace or a trace, generally designated  70 , is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In one aspect, the sectional view of trace  70  can be a sectional view of first and second traces  38  and  40  schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In other aspects, trace  70  can be a sectional view of one or more portions of first and second traces  18  and  20  as shown and described in  FIG. 1 . Trace  70  can comprise one or more layers of material, one or more of which can be directly applied over portions of a substrate  72 . Substrate  72  can be similar in form and/or function to any previously described panel substrates (e.g.,  12  or  32 ) and can comprise a ceramic material or a ceramic based material. 
     In some aspects, trace  70  can comprise one or more layers of material, including an adhesive layer  74  of material. Adhesive layer  74  can comprise any suitable material, such as a flexible tape or flexible adhesive material adapted to stick or adhere to portions of substrate  72 . In some aspects, adhesive layer  74  can be integrally formed as a portion of trace  70 . In other aspects, adhesive layer  74  can comprise a standalone layer that can be applied prior to application of other, subsequent layers of trace  70 . 
     In some aspects, trace  70  can further comprise a dielectric layer  76  of material. Dielectric layer  76  can comprise a layer of glass, FR4 (or FR-4), silicon, quartz, plastic, or any other suitable material. In some aspects, FR4 materials can comprise any materials within the accepted international grade designation for fiberglass reinforced epoxy laminates that are flame retardant. In some aspects, dielectric layer  76  can comprise a laminate structure or laminate material. 
     In some aspects, trace  70  can further comprise an electrically conductive portion or layer  78  of material. In some aspects, conductive layer  78  can be disposed over portions of dielectric layer  76 . Conductive layer  78  can comprise any electrically conductive material such as a metal or metal alloy. In some aspects, conductive layer  78  can be adapted to electrically communicate directly with one or more LED chips  34  via wirebonding (e.g., via wirebonding to portion A2,  FIG. 1 ). In other aspects, conductive layer  78  can be adapted to electrically communicate directly with portions of an electrical wire, such as a wire carrying current directly or indirectly from a power source, via soldering one or more electrical wires associated with the power source directly to portions of conductive layer  78  (e.g., soldering electrical wires to first attachment portion A1,  FIG. 1 ). Conductive layer can comprise a layer of exposed metal, such as exposed Cu, Ag, Pt, Au, Sn, electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG), Al, combinations thereof, and/or any other electrically conductive material(s). 
     In some aspects, conductive layer  78  can comprise a single material. In other aspects, conductive layer  78  can comprise multiple different materials. For example, where conductive layer  78  comprises multiple different materials, an adhesion layer of material can be provided, an electrically conductive layer of material can be provided over the adhesion layer, and a reflective layer can be provided over the electrically conductive layer of material. Conductive layer  78  and/or any portions thereof can be deposited via electroplating, sputtering, electroless plating, and/or combinations thereof over portions of dielectric layer  76 . 
     In some aspects, an adhesion layer of Ti, for example, that can be between approximately 0.05 μm and 0.15 μm thick can be provided over dielectric layer  76 . In some aspects, conductive layer  78  can comprise at least one layer of Cu that can be applied directly over dielectric layer  76 , or directly over the adhesion layer of material. In some aspects, conductive layer  78  can comprise at least one layer of Cu that can, for example, be approximately 50 μm thick or less. In some aspects, conductive layer  78  can comprise at least one layer of Cu that is approximately 50 μm thick, approximately 45 μm thick, approximately 40 μm thick, approximately 35 μm thick, approximately 30 μm thick, approximately 25 μm thick, approximately 20 μm thick, approximately 15 μm thick, approximately 10 μm thick, or less than 10 μm thick. In some aspects, a reflective layer of Ag can be provided over the Cu of conductive layer  78 , and the reflective layer can be between approximately 0.1 μm and 1.0 μm thick. Where used, a reflective layer can be approximately 0.1 to 0.2 μm thick, approximately 0.2 to 0.5 μm thick, approximately 0.5 to 0.8 thick, and/or approximately 0.8 to 1 μm thick. 
     In some aspects, trace  70  can further comprise one or more portions of a solder mask  80  material. Solder mask  80  can for example comprise a white or silver-white liquid curable solder mask material. Solder mask  80  can be disposed adjacent portions of conductive layer  78  and can be disposed over portions of dielectric layer  76 . Solder mask  80  can further improve the brightness and/or overall optical performance of emitter component as it can be adapted to reflect light. Portions of solder mask  80  and/or conductive layer  78  can optionally be covered or layered with an optical conversion or wavelength conversion material, such as at least one phosphor, lumiphor, and/or more than one phosphoric or lumiphoric material. 
     Notably, trace  70  and/or portions thereof can be flexible as indicated by the double sided arrows in  FIG. 4 . In some aspects, trace  70  can comprise a flexible tape which can be cut, or otherwise shaped or formed, to an appropriate size. In some aspects, trace  70  can comprise an inexpensive flexible tape which can reduce the cost associated with providing light emitter components described herein. In some aspects, trace  70  can be applied only proximate the ends and/or corners of substrate  72  to reduce and/or eliminate interference with light by trace components. In some aspects, trace  70  can comprise a PCB trace overlay provided on a ceramic substrate  72  for use as a substantial linear light emitter component. In some aspects, trace  70  can comprise a segmented PCB trace overlay provided on a ceramic substrate  72  for use as a substantial linear light emitter component. 
     Substrate  72  can comprise a thickness T as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In some aspects, substrate  72  can comprise a thickness T upon which electrical components, including traces and/or connectors, ( FIGS. 3A / 3 B) can be deposited or applied. Thickness T can for example range from approximately 0.1 mm to 5 mm. In some aspects, thickness T can be approximately 1 mm. In some aspects, thickness T can comprise any sub range of thickness between approximately 0.1 mm and 5 mm, including for example, a range of approximately 0.1 to 0.5 mm; 0.5 to 1.0 mm, 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, or 2.5 mm to 5 mm. Any thickness T is contemplated. 
     As  FIG. 5  illustrates, at least one LED chip  82  can be directly attached to a portion of trace  70 . In some aspects, one or more LED chips such as LED chip  82  can electrically communicate with conductive layer  78  of trace  70  via at least one wirebond  84 . In some aspects, another electrical component such as wires from a power source, a bus wire, or an ESD protection device can also be attached to portions of trace  70 , either by being soldered thereto or retained by a connector disposed over trace  70  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A / 3 B). Electrical trace  70  can be adapted to transfer or pass electrical current directly into at least one LED chip  82  via at least one wirebond  84 . 
     LED chips  82  can comprise electrical terminals or contact such as bond pads  86  for providing chip-to-chip bonding. Wirebonds  84  can extend between adjacent LED chips  82  within a serially connected string of LED chips  82 . Wirebonds  84  can comprise Au, Ag, Cu, Al, or any combination or alloy thereof. Bond pads  86  can both be disposed on an upper surface of LED chips  82 , can both be disposed on a lower surface of LED chips  82  (e.g., horizontally structured chips), or a first bond pad  86  can be disposed on an upper surface of the LED chips  82  and the second bond pad  86  can be disposed on the bottom surface (e.g., vertically structured chips). LED chips  82  can comprise any size, shape, color, and/or structure. 
     In some aspects and as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , an optical structure or optical layer  88  can optionally be provided over at least one LED chip  82 . In some aspects, optical layer  88  can be provided over each LED chip  82  in a string of LED chips (e.g., each LED chips in string S,  FIG. 1 ). Optical layer  88  can be disposed over portions of each LED chip  82  and over portions of wirebonds  84  for providing physical, mechanical, and/or chemical protection thereof. Optical layer  88  can also affect beam pattern or beam shaping for light emitted by LED chips  82  such that light can be emitted in a single or in multiple different directions, as desired. 
     In some aspects, optical layer  88  can comprise any member or material configured to produce light output of a desired shape and/or position light in a desired direction, and can comprise a layer of encapsulant and/or a lens. In some aspects, optical layer  88  can comprise a lens overmolded each individual LED chip  82 . In other aspects, optical layer  88  can comprise a layer of silicone encapsulant dispensed in a bead or row of encapsulant over each LED chip  82  in a given string of LED chips. In some aspects, optical material  88  can comprise any material, such as an epoxy, plastic, glass, and/or silicone material, and can be provided using any method, such as encapsulating or molding. It is understood that optical material  88  can also at least partially be textured to improve light extraction and/or be coated with or contain optical conversion, wavelength conversion, light scattering, and/or reflective materials such as phosphors or light scattering particles. 
     In some aspects, at least a portion of optical layer  88  can be at least partially concave with respect to substrate  72 . In some aspects, optical layer  88  can be dispensed and then optionally cured upside down to produce the partially concave and/or curved cross-sectional shape. In some aspects, a mold can be used to produce the partially concave and/or curved cross-sectional shape. In some aspects, optical layer  88  can comprise a substantially hemispherical, curved, domed, symmetric, or asymmetric shaped cross-section, however, any shape of optical layer  88  can be provided. It is further understood that the optical layer  88  can be adapted for use with a secondary lens or optics that can be included over optical layer  88  by the end user to facilitate beam shaping. These secondary lenses are generally known in the art, with many of them being commercially available. 
     In some aspects, optical layer  88  can comprise an optical conversion or wavelength conversion material provided therein. The optical conversion or wavelength conversion material can be adapted to emit light upon activation of light emitted by one or more LED chips  82 . That is, portions of optical layer  88  can comprise a yellow, blue, red, or green phosphor material adapted to emit yellow, blue, red, green, or combinations of colored light upon impingement of light emitted by one or more LED chips  82 . Wavelength conversion material can comprise one or more binders, phosphors, lumiphors, or a phosphor or lumiphor containing material and/or binder applied via any suitable technique. In one aspect, the wavelength conversion material can absorb at least some of the light emitted from any one of the multiple LED chips  82  and can in turn emit light having a different wavelength such that light emitter component emits a combination of light from one or more LED chips  82  and a phosphor. In some aspects, optical layer  88  can be sprayed with phosphor or other wavelength conversion material. In some aspects, optical layer  88  can be coated with a phosphor by lamination of a tape cast. 
     In one aspect, light emitter components shown and described herein can emit light that is perceived as white light of approximately 2700 to 7000K, such as cool white (CW) light around 6000K or warm white (WW) light around 3000K. In one aspect, one or more LED chips  82  selected for use can comprise wavelengths targeting CW or WW light upon, for example, mixing with light emitted from the phosphors or a phosphor containing material. Any suitable wavelength bin and/or phosphor combination can be selected depending upon the application and desired light emission. Phosphors can be adapted to emit light that is yellow, green, red, and/or combinations thereof upon absorbing light emitted by one or more LED chips  82 . In some aspects, light emitter components shown and described herein can be adapted to emit approximately 3500 lumens (lm) at approximately 5000K and approximately 31 Watts (W). In other aspects, light emitter components shown and described herein can be adapted to emit approximately 2400 lm at approximately 5000K and approximately 18 Watts. 
     Systems of light emitter components are illustrated in  FIGS. 7A to 9 .  FIGS. 7A to 8  illustrate one or more light emitter components disposed adjacent each other and electrically connected to each other.  FIG. 9  illustrates a light emitter component system comprising a lighting fixture, including but not limited to a bulb which can be used in overhead lighting. Any type of lighting fixtures, bulbs, and/or products can be provided and is contemplated herein. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a light emitter component system generally designated  90  comprising more than one light emitter component  10 . In some aspects, only two light emitter components  10  can be provided in system  90 . In some aspects, more than two light emitter components  10  can be provided in system  90 . Each component  10  can comprise more than one LED chip  14  disposed over substrate  12 . LED chips  14  can be serially connected in a string via wirebonds  16 . Notably, first and second traces generally designated  18  and  20  for supplying current to each string of LED chips  14  can be provided at opposing ends or outermost edges of substrate  12 . In one aspect, traces can only provided at the outermost ends or edges of a substantially rectangular substrate  12 . 
     In some aspects, bus wires B can be provided to physically and/or electrically connect adjacent light emitter components  10 . In some aspects, bus wires B can convey electrical current from a power source (not shown) and “bus” the current to adjacent light emitter components  10 . In some aspects, bus wires B can electrically connect and/or electrically couple multiple light emitter components  10  without requiring electrical traces to be deposited or applied along the length of substrates  12 . This can advantageously reduce a cost of manufacturing light emitter components  10 , by incorporating bus wires B which reduce processing materials and/or costly processing steps associated with depositing trace layers and/or materials along a length of each substrate  12 . 
     In some aspects, a plurality of bus wires B can connect to portions of respective first and second traces  18  and  20  of a plurality of multiple components  10  via soldering to first attachment portions A1 of adjacent boards or substrates  12 . In some aspects, a first bus wire B can connect to a first trace  18  of a first component  10  and another first trace  18  of an adjacent, second component  10  providing for electrical communication therebetween. Similarly, a different bus wire B can connect to a second trace  20  of a first component  10  to another second trace  20  of an adjacent, second component  10 . Notably, bus wires B can terminate between adjacent first traces  18  and adjacent second traces  20  of adjacent substrates  12 , thereby channeling electrical current between adjacent substrates, and electrically communicating with multiple strings of LED chips  14  which also terminate at first and second traces  18  and  20  of adjacent substrates. 
     In some aspects, bus wires B can become inserted into connectors (e.g., C1 and C2 of  FIGS. 3A / 3 B), such as IDC connectors, which can be electrically connected to portions of first and second traces  18  and  20 . In some aspects, bus wires B can be disposed substantially parallel to the string of LED chips  14 . In some aspects, the string of LED chips  14  can be substantially parallel with an edge of substrate  12 . 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates another embodiment of a system generally designated  95  of light emitter components. In one aspect, system  95  can comprise at least two, or more than two light emitter components  100 . In some aspects, light emitter components  100  can be substantially longitudinally aligned such that system  95  can comprise a longitudinal row or elongated line of emitter components generally designated  100 . Light emitter components  100  can be similar in form and function to previously described light emitter components (e.g.,  10  and  30  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Light emitter components  100  can comprise ceramic or ceramic based substrates  102 . Each substrate can comprise first and second traces disposed at opposing edges or ends. Each trace can comprise first, second, and intervening attachment portions A1, A2, and A3, respectively. In some aspects, electrical connectors (e.g., C 1 /C 2    FIGS. 3A / 3 B) can be disposed over portions of each trace as previously described. Light emitter components can comprise two or more LED chips  104  electrically connected in series via one or more wirebonds  106 . Wirebonds  106  can comprise Au, Ag, Cu, Al, or any combination or alloy thereof. 
     In some aspects, traces can be disposed only at opposing ends of substrate  102 . Electrical traces can directly connect and/or pass electrical current directly into LED chips  104 . Notably, each light emitter component  100  can comprise at least one bus attachment area or surface, which can be separate and/or distinct from each trace. For example, one or more bus surfaces or bus areas  108  can be provided along the edges and/or along a length of substrate  102 . In some aspects, each bus area  108  can be disposed substantially parallel to outermost edges of substrate  102 , and substantially parallel to the string of LED chips  104 . In some aspects, bus areas  108  can be disposed along and parallel to the longer sides of substrate  102 , where substrate  102  comprises a rectangle. 
     In some aspects, each bus area  108  can comprise a thin layer of a conductive foil or a thin conductive adhesive foil which can be inexpensive to manufacture and apply to portions of substrate  102 . For example, in some aspects bus areas  108  can comprise a metal foil which can be applied via an adhesive, glue, epoxy, or other tacky material to portions of substrate  102 . In some aspects, bus areas  108  of adjacent components  100  can be physically and/or electrically connected to portions of traces via wirebonds  106 . Thus, in some aspects, bus areas  108  can “bus” electrical current down the substrate  12  panel and into an adjacent board via simple electrical connectors such as wirebonds  106 . In some aspects, bus areas  108  can be electrically connected to portions of first and second traces, such as first attachment areas A1 of traces via wirebonds  106 . 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates a further embodiment of a light emitter component system  110  comprising two or more light emitter components. For illustration purposes, system  110  is illustrated as comprising two adjacent component substrates  112 , however, more than two components can be provided. Each substrate  112  can support and/or attach to at least one string of a plurality of LED chips  114 . Each string of LED chips  114  can be serially connected via wirebonds  116 . Wirebonds  116  can comprise Au, Ag, Cu, Al, or any combination or alloy thereof. Notably, each substrate  112  can be devoid of individual traces fully contained on each substrate. Rather, in some aspects, at least one trace  118  can be shared between at least two adjacent substrates  112 . In further aspects, at least one trace  118  can be shared between multiple adjacent substrates  112 . In some aspects, trace  118  can be disposed proximate an end portion at least two adjacent substrates  112 , and can overhang and/or overlap portions of each substrate  112 . In some aspects, trace  118  can be flexible and can comprise an adhesive material applied to and/or integrally formed on a backside of trace  118  for adhering to portions of adjacent substrates  112 . A portion of trace  118  can comprise a conductive material for electrically connecting at least two adjacent strings of LED chips  114  on at least two adjacent substrates  112  via wirebonds  116 . Wirebonds  116  of adjacent LED strings disposed on adjacent boards or substrates  112  can terminate at portions of trace  118 . In some aspects, multiple traces  118  can be disposed between multiple adjacent substrates. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a light emitter system generally designated  120  comprising multiple light emitter components longitudinally aligned over one or more electrical wires E. Electrical wires E can provide electrical current either directly or indirectly from a power source (not shown). Each component of a plurality of adjacent components can comprise a panel substrate  122  of ceramic or a ceramic based material. A plurality of LED chips  124  can be arranged in at least one string or row over substrate  122 . The plurality of LED chips  124  can be electrically connected in series via wirebonds  126 . Wirebonds  126  can connect and/or terminate at bond pads of adjacent LED chips  124 . In some aspects, wirebonds  126  extending from first and last LED chips  124  of a string of LED chips  124  can terminate at one or more traces  128  which can be disposed proximate the end portions of each substrate  122 . In some aspects, traces  128  can be only disposed proximate end portions of each substrate  122 . This can advantageously reduce processing steps associated with depositing traces along entire edges of substrates in addition to reducing material. This can also advantageously reduce an amount of material which may potentially interfere with light emitted by one or more LED chips  124 . 
     In some aspects, at least one connector  130  can be disposed on a backside surface of substrate  122 , on an opposing surface from where LED chips  124  are connected. Notably, electrical current can be conveyed into more than one substrate  122  via connectors  130  disposed on a backside of each panel substrate  122 . Each connector  130  can comprise an IDC connector adapted to displace an insulated portion E 1  of electrical wire and “bite” into or contact conductive portion E 2  of electrical wire generally designated E. For example, electrical wire E can be received in groove or gap portions  132  of IDC connectors  130 . Side walls of gap portions generally designated  132  can pierce insulated portions E 1  and contact conductive portions E 2 . Current can pass from electrical wire E into each trace  128  using electrical vias internally disposed within portions of substrate  122  and/or other conductive material disposed along lateral sides of substrate  122 , extending between connectors  130  and traces  128 . 
     In some aspects, connectors  130  can electrically communicate with traces  128 . Connectors  130  can comprise a metal or metal alloy adapted to electrically communicate with traces  128  using internal through-holes such as vias or lateral traces. In some aspects, traces  128  are not necessary and/or optional, as LED chips  124  can be mounted directly over and/or wirebonded to an electrical through-hole or via. Thus, in certain aspects, the upper surface of substrate  122  may not comprise any traces, as LED chips  124  can directly mount over and/or be wirebonded to portions of a via. In some aspects, traces  128  and/or vias or through-holes can electrically communicate with LED chips  124 . Notably, in some aspects, substrates  122  can be devoid of any trace. In some aspects, substrates  122  can be devoid of traces extending a full or substantially full length of substrate  122 , as current can be bussed from a power source to LED chips  124  via underlying electrical wires E. This can advantageously improve the brightness and reduce the cost associated with providing light emitter components and systems described herein. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another light emitter component system generally designated  140 . Light emitter system  140  can comprise more than one light emitter component  10 . Light emitter components generally designated  10  are shown in phantom lines as they may not be visible from outside of system  140 . In some aspects, light emitter components  10  can be physically and/or electrically coupled as indicated by the double sided arrows disposed between components  10 . Light emitter system  140  can comprise a bulb for use in strip lighting, tube lighting and/or overhead lighting products. System  140  can comprise two pins  142  disposed at each end. Electrical current can pass into system  140  via pins  142 . In some aspects, light emitter components  10  can receive current by coupling and extending bus wires from pins  142 . Light emitter components  10  can be contained within a system or bulb housing  144 . In some aspects, housing  144  can include a tube diffuser. For illustration purposes, light emitter system  140  is shown as an elongated bulb used in lighting products, however, any other system, bulb, or lighting fixture can be provided. 
     Notably, components described hereinabove can be devoid of labels, legends, and/or other markings within a finish layer of any substrate. That is, any substrate in the embodiments described above and shown for example in the drawings can be free from extraneous markings and/or legends on a body of the substrate, as such labels can block, absorb, or otherwise interfere with light. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate top perspective views of an array, generally designated  150 , of further embodiments of light emitter components  152 . Notably, components  152  can be manufactured and/or initially received within an array  150 . Components  152  can be optionally processed within array  150  for improving processing times and/or efficiency. Individually processing individual components  152  (e.g., die attaching LED chips and/or packages, etc.) is also contemplated. In some aspects, individual components  152  can be singulated from array  150  via breaking, sawing, dicing, or otherwise physically separating a single component from array  150 . 
     In some aspects, each component  152  can comprise a first end generally designated  154  and a second end generally designated  156 . One or more attachment surfaces  158  can be provided proximate each of first and second ends  154  and  156 . Attachment surfaces  158  can comprise, for example, attach pads, solder pads, clamps, clips, connectors, etc., adapted to electrically and/or physically attach to one or more components carrying electrical signal or power, and for transferring that signal or power into portions of a component substrate  160 , and for passing the current to multiple LED devices (e.g., chips and/or packages) disposed over component  152 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , in some aspects each component  152  can comprise a substantially elongated substrate  160  body adapted to support one or more LED devices. In some aspects, substrate  160  can comprise multiple layers, such as a base or core layer, a conductive layer, and one or more optional reflective layers. Notably, component  152  can comprise multiple areas of exposed metal or traces, generally designated  162  which can be oriented particularly or angled with respect to each other, as described further herein. One or more attachment areas  164  can be provided along portions of lateral side edges of component  152  for securing component within a lighting system, such as a lighting fixture, lamp, or bulb. 
     In some aspects component  152  can, for example, have a length of approximately 20 millimeters (mm) or more, approximately 100 mm or more, approximately 150 mm or more, approximately 200 mm or more, approximately 250 mm or more, or more than approximately 300 mm. In some aspects, component  152  can, for example, have a width of approximately 5 mm or more, approximately 10 mm or more, approximately 15 mm or more, approximately 20 mm or more, or more than approximately 25 mm. In some aspects, component  152  can have an overall length and width of approximately 262.5 mm×15 mm, respectively. Components described herein can have any suitable shape, for example, such as a square shape, a rectangular shape, a non-rectangular shape, a circular shape, a curved shape, a symmetric shape, an asymmetric shape, and/or any other shape. Any size, shape, and/or thickness of components can be provided herein. 
       FIG. 10C  illustrates a top plan view of component  152 . Areas which may not be visible from the outside are indicated in broken lines. As  FIG. 10C  illustrates, each trace  162  can comprise a first portion  162 A and a second portion  162 B which together, can comprise an anode/cathode pair for supplying current to LED devices disposed thereover. In some aspects, first portion  162 A can comprise a first width W A  and second portion  162 B can comprise a second width W B . As the solid and broken lines illustrate, portions of first and second portions  162 A and  162 B can be internally disposed within substrate  160  and other portions can be exposed on a surface of substrate  160 . The multiple traces  162  including portions  162 A and  162 B can be disposed along substrate  160  and can be angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of substrate  160 . In some aspects, portions  162 A and  162 B can alternate over substrate such that current can flow between adjacent LED devices (not shown) to be attached or mounted over traces  162 . In some aspects, one or more diagonally disposed gaps  170  can be provided between first and second portions  162 A and  162 B of each trace  162 . 
     Component  152  can further comprise one or more bus bars  166 . Bus bars  166  can effectively “bus” electrical current along substrate  160  and between attachment areas  158  at opposing ends  154  and  156 . Bus bars  166  are illustrated in phantom lines, as they may be internally disposed within substrate  160 . In some aspects, bus bars  166  and attachment areas  158  can comprise one continuous area, portion, or layer of conductive material, such as a metal or metal alloy. Notably, components described herein can be devoid of labels, legends, and/or other markings within a finish layer of substrate  160 . That is, substrate  160  can be free from extraneous markings and/or legends down, along or on the elongated body of substrate  160 , as such labels can block, absorb, or otherwise interfere with light. 
     In some aspects, traces  162  provide mounting areas over which one or more LED devices (not shown) can be provided. Notably, by orienting or angling traces  162  as shown with respect to a longitudinal axis of component  152 , LED devices (not shown) can also be provided at angles with respect to each other and/or with respect to a longitudinal axis of component  152 . This can advantageously minimize light absorption or blockage of light which can occur when LED devices are non-angled with respect to each other and/or a longitudinal axis of component  152 . In some aspects, traces  162  can comprise any conductive material, including for example one or more materials such as Cu, Ag, Ti, Ni, Au, Pt, Pd, ENIG, combinations and/or alloys thereof, and/or any other suitable material. As discussed below, components  152  can comprise non-angled traces and/or non-angled LED devices as well, which can be used in combination with angled traces  162  and angled LED devices. 
       FIG. 10C  illustrates a top plan view of component  152  and portions of traces which may not be visible from the outside are indicated in phantom lines. Notably, in some aspects, LED devices (not shown) can be provided and mounted over portions of traces  162 . In some aspects, LED devices can be disposed directly over traces  162  appearing in solid lines, which signify areas of exposed metal. LED devices (not shown) can comprise LED packages having a submount or substrate, at least one LED chip disposed over the submount, and an optical element disposed over portions of the LED chip and/or submount. Notably, angling LED devices (e.g., packages or chips) over component  152  can improve brightness and/or light extraction, as emission profiles of adjacent angled LED devices may not interfere as much with adjacent devices as compared to non-angled devices, thus, angling devices with respect to substrate  160  can result in a brighter outcome. Additionally, when using a diffuser such as a tube (e.g.,  FIG. 9 ), the pixilation may appear to be less (i.e., improved) compared to components having non-angled devices. 
     In some aspects, LED devices for component  152  can comprise LED packages such as those disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/649,052, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. For example, in some aspects LED packages shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/649,052 can be provided over angled portions  162 A and  162 B of traces  162 . Notably, mounting of LED packages over angled portions  162 A and  162 B of traces  162  can be provided by physically and electrically connecting bottom contacts of the LED packages directly over portions of  162 A and  162 BA. In some aspects, such packages can have substantially domed or hemispherical shaped optical elements, or substantially square or cube shaped optical elements. Notably, metal traces  162  (e.g., and portions of  162 A and  162 B) can be angled with the LED packages disposed thereon, and can provide large areas around the LED package or device to allow for more heat dissipation, thereby improving thermal management within component  152 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a system, generally designated  180 , of light emitter components. System  180  can comprise a body or support  182  over which light emitter components can be mounted. In some aspects, support  182  can comprise a substantially rectangular body and can comprise a portion of a lighting fixture or lighting product. In some aspects, support  182  can be adapted to secure components and/or bulbs for tube or strip type lighting applications as shown in previously described  FIG. 9 . In some aspects, a bulb (not shown), tube, or diffusing member (not shown) can be disposed about portions of support  182  and light emitter components disposed thereon. 
     As  FIG. 11  illustrates, system  180  can comprise multiple elongated light emitter components,  152  ( FIGS. 10A to 10C ) and  184 . Components  184  can be similar in form, function, and appearance as previously described component  152 , one difference being that the traces and respective LED devices are in non-angled positions with respect to each other and/or with respect to the elongated body of component  184 . As  FIG. 11  illustrates, each component  152  and  184  can be secured within portions of support  180  by inserting screws and/or other mechanical fasteners F into attachment areas  164  disposed in each component. In some aspects, attachment areas  164  can be provided in lateral side edges of each component  154  and  184 . 
     Notably, as  FIG. 11  illustrates, system  180  can comprise a combination of components  152  and  184 . That is, component  152 , which can utilize diagonally disposed and/or angled packages or LED devices  186 , can be used in combination with components  184  which have non-angled packages or LED devices  188 . This can provide customized light output and beam patterns having multi-directional light emission, where desired. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates light emitter components for use within a system, generally designated  190 . In some aspects, system  190  can comprise three light emitter components such as a first light emitter component  192 , a second light emitter component  194 , and a third light emitter component  196 . More or less than three light emitter components can be disposed within a lighting system  190 . In some aspects, each light emitter component can be similar to component  152  (and/or other components as described herein); however, it may utilize differently shaped and/or angled LED devices. 
     In some aspects, first light emitter component  192  can comprise non-angled LED devices  198  which can be disposed within a substantially linear row. In some aspects as  FIG. 12  schematically illustrates, devices  198  can comprise an LED package having a substantially rounded or hemispheric shaped domed lens instead of a cubic shaped lens. 
     In some aspects, second light emitter component  194  can comprise non-angled LED devices  200  which can be disposed within a substantially linear row. In some aspects as  FIG. 12  schematically illustrates, devices  200  can for example comprise an LED package having a substantially cubic shaped lens instead of a hemispheric shaped lens, such as for example those disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/649,052, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, which application has been and is fully incorporated by reference herein. 
     In some aspects, third light emitter component  196  can comprise non-angled LED devices  200  used in combination with angled devices  200 . In some aspects, LED devices  200  can be angled between approximately 1° and 90° with respect to a longitudinal axis, denoted by lines A at the end of third component  196 . That is, in some aspects as  FIG. 12  schematically illustrates, devices  200  can comprise an LED package having a substantially cubic shaped lens, which can be alternated or non-alternated with respect to longitudinal axis A. Notably, any combination of LED packages (e.g., domed or cubic lenses) and/or angled and non-angled components can be used together within system  190 . Any number of LED devices  200  can be provided over component  196 , such as 10 devices or more, 20 devices or more, 30 devices or more, or more than 50 devices. In some aspects, 38 devices  200  can be provided. 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of LED component  196  in  FIG. 12 . As  FIG. 13  illustrates, a reflective coating  202  can be applied over portions of component  196 . In some aspects, component  196  can comprise a substrate  204 . In some aspects, substrate  204  can be multi-layered with one or more reflective layers, conductive layers, and/or insulating layers. Thus, in some aspects coating  202  can comprise the second or third reflective coating of component  196 . In some aspects, coating  202  can comprise a non-metallic (e.g., plastic, polymeric) reflective coating, such as solder mask. In some aspects, coating  202  can be white. Coating  202  can be applied via printing, screen-printing, painting, coating, depositing, layering, or any other suitable application method. 
     As described above, novel traces, trace overlays, bus attachments, connectors, optical materials, wirebonds, and/or other features described herein can be provided alone and/or in combination for providing components and systems having improved optical performance at a lower cost. Embodiments as disclosed herein may provide one or more of the following beneficial technical effects: improved brightness; improved light extraction; improved efficiency; reduced manufacturing cost of light emitter components and/or systems; improved thermal management (and concomitant improvement of operating life); and/or improved manufacturability of light emitter components. 
     While the subject matter herein has been has been described in reference to specific aspects, features, and/or illustrative embodiments, it will be appreciated that the utility of the described subject matter is not thus limited, but rather extends to and encompasses numerous other variations, modifications and alternative embodiments, as will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the field of the present subject matter, based on the disclosure herein. Various combinations and sub-combinations of the structures and features described herein are contemplated and will be apparent to a skilled person having knowledge of this disclosure. Any of the various features and elements as disclosed herein may be combined with one or more other disclosed features and elements unless indicated to the contrary herein. Correspondingly, the subject matter as hereinafter claimed is intended to be broadly construed and interpreted, as including all such variations, modifications and alternative embodiments, within its scope and including equivalents of the claims.