High efficiency optical coupler
US8165434B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B17/0605
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical coupling device enabling spherical or hemispherical light sources to be more fully utilized by gathering more of the emitted radiation and reducing the angle of emission. The optical coupling device includes a first conic reflector having an aperture at the first conic reflector vertex; a second conic reflector coaxial with the first conic reflector and opening toward the first conic reflector; a light source positioned at the second conic reflector vertex; and a negative element located at the aperture for reducing the numerical aperture of the light emitted from the optical coupling device. The optical coupling device may include a refractive medium between the first and second conic reflectors. The present invention provides for improved efficiencies when transferring or coupling optical energy into additional optical systems, and may be used with solid state light as well as conventional sources.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.