Illumination device

Abstract

An illumination device having an optical waveguide stage to which is optically coupled a light-projecting stage. The illumination device accepts light from a small isotropic light source such as a light emitting diode or a bulb coupled to the optical waveguide stage. The illumination device spreads the light over a wide area while also collimating it to form a beam. Alternatively, the light beam can also be shaped in a variety of ways. The light-projecting stage and the optical waveguide stage are made of thin slabs of optically transmissive material.

1 . An optical system for processing light from a light source to provide illumination output, comprising:
 a stepped waveguide for collecting input light from a light source and delivering light to step features of the stepped waveguide;   a plurality of optical elements disposed adjacent each other with each of the plurality of optical elements including:
 (a) a redirecting element for receiving the light from the waveguide and repositioning the light; and 
 (b) an associated concentrator element which is associated with and separate from the redirecting element for receiving the light from the redirecting element and diffusing the light for output therefrom to provide the illumination, wherein the concentrating element of each of the plurality of optical elements is separated from at least one portion of the associated redirecting element by a layer within which the light does not undergo a repositioning change of direction and the layer being contiguous between at least a portion of each of the associated redirecting elements. 
   
     
     
         2 . An optical system for processing light from a light source to provide illumination output, comprising:
 a stepped waveguide for collecting input light from a light source and delivering light to step features of the stepped waveguide;   a plurality of optical elements disposed adjacent each other with each of the plurality of optical elements including:
 (a) a redirecting element for receiving the light from the waveguide and repositioning the light; and 
 (b) an associated element which is associated with and separate from the redirecting element for receiving the light from the redirecting element and diffusing the light for output therefrom to provide the illumination, wherein the concentrating element of each of the plurality of optical elements is separated from at least one portion of the associated redirecting element by a layer within which the light does not undergo a repositioning change of direction and the layer being continuous between at least a portion of each of the associated redirecting elements. 
   
     
     
         3 . In an optical system for processing light from a light source with light flow from a collection component and output to provide an illumination, the improvement comprising:
 a collection component including a stepped waveguide for collecting input light from a light source and delivering light to step features of the stepped waveguide;   a plurality of optical elements disposed adjacent each other with each of the plurality of optical elements including:
 (a) a redirecting element for receiving the light from the waveguide and repositioning the light; and 
 (b) an associated concentrator element which is associated with and separate from the redirecting element for receiving the light from the redirecting element and diffusing the light for output therefrom, to provide the illumination, wherein the concentrating element of each of the plurality of optical elements is separated from at least one portion of the associated redirecting element by a layer within which the light does not undergo a repositioning change of direction and the layer being contiguous between at least a portion of each of the associated redirecting elements. 
   
     
     
         4 . In an optical system for processing light from a light source with light flow from a collection component and output to provide an illumination, the improvement comprising:
 a collection component including a stepped waveguide for collecting input light from a light source and delivering light to step features of the stepped waveguide;   a plurality of optical elements disposed adjacent each other with each of the plurality of optical elements including:
 (a) a redirecting element for receiving the light from the waveguide and repositioning the light; and 
 (b) an associated element which is associated with and separate from the redirecting element for receiving the light from the redirecting element and diffusing the light for output therefrom, to provide the illumination, wherein the concentrating element of each of the plurality of optical elements is separated from at least one portion of the associated redirecting element by a section of the associated element within which the light does not undergo a repositioning change of direction and the layer being contiguous between at least a portion of each of the associated redirecting elements. 
   
     
     
         5 . In an optical system for processing light from a light source with light flow from a collection component and output to provide an illumination, the improvement comprising:
 a collection component including a stepped waveguide for collecting input light from a light source and delivering light to step features of the stepped waveguide;   a plurality of optical elements disposed adjacent each other with each of the plurality of optical elements including:
 (a) a redirecting element for receiving the light from the waveguide and repositioning the light; and 
 (b) an associated element which is associated with and separate from the redirecting element for receiving the light from the redirecting element and diffusing the light for output therefrom, to provide the illumination, wherein the concentrating element of each of the plurality of optical elements is separated from at least one portion of the associated redirecting element by a section of the associated element within which the light does not undergo a repositioning change of direction and the layer being continuous between at least a portion of each of the associated redirecting elements. 
   
     
     
         6 . An optical system for processing light from a light source to provide illumination output, comprising:
 a stepped waveguide for collecting input light from a light source and delivering light to step features of the stepped waveguide;   a plurality of optical elements disposed adjacent each other with each of the plurality of optical elements including:
 (a) a redirecting element for receiving the light from the stepped waveguide and repositioning the input light; 
 (b) an associated concentrator element which is associated with and separate from the redirecting element for receiving the light from the redirecting element and diffusing the light for output therefrom to provide the illumination output, wherein the concentrating element of each of the plurality of optical elements is separated from at least one portion of the associated redirecting element by a layer within which the light does not undergo a repositioning change of direction and the layer being contiguous between at least a portion of each of the associated redirecting elements. 
   
     
     
         7 . An optical system for processing light from a light source to provide illumination output, comprising:
 a stepped waveguide for collecting input light from a light source and delivering light to step features of the stepped waveguide;   a plurality of optical elements disposed adjacent each other with each of the plurality of optical elements including:
 (a) a redirecting element for receiving the light from the stepped waveguide and repositioning the input light; 
 (b) an associated element which is associated with and separate from the redirecting element for receiving the light from the redirecting element and diffusing the light for output therefrom to provide the illumination output, wherein the concentrating element of each of the plurality of optical elements is separated from at least one portion of the associated redirecting element by a layer within which the light does not undergo a repositioning change of direction after exiting the waveguide and the layer being continuous between at least a portion of each of the associated redirecting elements.