Compact non-imaging light collector

Abstract

A nonimaging optical system for processing a first and second light distribution. The nonimaging optical system includes at least two refractive surfaces, at least one reflective surface nearer to the first light distribution along at least one ray path than the nearer of the two refracting surfaces and the reflective surface and the refractive surfaces cooperating to redirect light edge rays of the first light distribution into the neighborhood of the edge of the second light distribution with a single reflection from the reflecting surface.

1 . A non-imaging optical system for processing a first and second light distribution and at least one ray path connecting said light distributions, the optical system comprising: 
 at least two refractive surfaces position sequentially along said ray path such that each redirect a light ray following said ray path;    at least one reflective surface nearer to said first light distribution along said at least one ray path then the nearest of said two refractive surfaces; and    said reflective surface and said refractive surfaces cooperating to redirect light edge-rays of said first light distribution substantially into the neighborhood of the edge of said second light distribution with no more than a single reflection from said at least one reflecting surface.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , where said reflective surface includes a first aperture nearer to said first light distribution and a second aperture nearer to said second light distribution said second aperture being larger than said first aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , where said reflective surface comprises a hollow metallized surface.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , where the combination of said reflective and refractive surfaces has an aspect ratio less than 1.5.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , where at least one of said refracting surfaces comprises an aspheric surface.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , where said first distribution includes a virtual image of a third light distribution, said virtual image formed by a third refractive surface nearer to said first light distribution than said reflecting surface.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , where said third refractive surface includes at least one substantially hemispherical portion.  
   
   
       8 . A non-imaging optical system for processing a first and second light distribution and at least one ray path connecting said light distributions, the optical system comprising: at least two refractive surfaces; 
 at least two refractive surfaces;    at least one reflective surface nearer to said first light distribution along said at least one ray path than the nearest of said two refracting surfaces; and    the combination of said refractive surfaces and said reflective surface having an aspect ratio less than 2.5.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , including at least one diffusing surface.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , where said diffusing surface comprises a film position near an output aperture.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , where said diffusing surface comprises at least one of a microstructured surface, a roughened surface, and a holographic diffuser surface.