Patent ID: 8162498

Claim:
A lighting device, comprising: a solid state source, containing at least one semiconductor chip within at least one package, for producing electromagnetic energy of a first emission spectrum; an optical element outside the at least one package of the solid state source and separate from the at least semiconductor chip, arranged to receive electromagnetic energy of the first emission spectrum from the solid state source, the optical element including: a semiconductor nanophosphor, wherein: (a) the semiconductor nanophosphor has an absorption spectrum encompassing at least a substantial portion of the first emission spectrum, and (b) when excited by electromagnetic energy in the absorption spectrum from the solid state source, the semiconductor nanophosphor emits visible light in a second emission spectrum, for inclusion in a visible light output for the device; (c) a light transmissive container; and a material bearing the semiconductor nanophosphor within the container, wherein: (i) the material is transmissive, at least with respect to energy of the first and second emission spectra, (ii) the material with the semiconductor nanophosphor dispersed therein appears at least substantially color-neutral when the solid state source is off, and (iii) the material is a gas or liquid filling an interior volume of a container.