Optical transformer for small light sources
US6646813B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/144
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optical transformer devices described herein provide a variety of area output patterns from a small light source (21). A light ejector (24) is described for transversely ejecting light injected by a light source, including a plurality of partially reflective interfaces (41) arranged along a central axis (28), the interfaces arranged so that light injected by the light source travels through each of the interfaces, the reflected light providing an area light output of the light reflected. The interfaces may utilize Fresnel reflectance or may comprise metallic or dielectric coatings. A variety of embodiments are described, such as a cylindrical configuration, a rectangular block configuration, or an N-sided polygonal configuration. In some embodiments a turning reflector (132) and polarization retarder (131) are provided to reverse the direction of light and rotate polarization on the side opposite the light source. In one embodiment, a stripe ejector (470) can be used to illuminate an LCD display.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.