LED and Laser Light Coupling Device and Method of Use

Abstract

Techniques for light coupling are provided. Specifically, systems and methods to provide coupling of light emitted from one or more LEDs with light received by an optical fiber are presented.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An LED and light coupling device comprising:
 at least one LED configured to receive power and control signals, the at least one LED emitting a first light with a first numerical aperture;   a light coupler in optical communication with the at least one LED, the light coupler receiving the first light and emitting a second light; and   an optical fiber comprising an acceptance angle, the optical fiber in optical communication with the light coupler;   wherein the light coupler alters the first light with the first numerical aperture to a second light with a second numerical aperture less than the first numerical aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic driver controlling the at least one LED. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the control of the at least one LED comprises power modulation. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one LED is a surface-emitting LED. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one LED is three surface-emitting LEDs. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the second light is received by the optical fiber within the acceptance angle of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the light coupler comprises an optical integrating sphere. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the light coupler comprises a ball lens. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the light coupler is an optical sphere and the three surface-emitting LEDs are disposed at 0 degree, 90 degree and 180 degree radials about an equatorial circumference of the optical sphere, wherein a coupling efficiency between the first light and the second light is at least 95%. 
     
     
         10 . A method of LED light coupling comprising:
 providing an LED light coupling device comprising: i) at least one LED configured to receive power and receive control signals, the at least one LED emitting a first light with a first numerical aperture; ii) a light coupler in optical communication with the at least one LED, the light coupler receiving the first light and emitting a second light; and iii) an optical fiber comprising an acceptance angle, the optical fiber in optical communication with the light coupler;   engaging the LED light coupling device with a power source;   providing power to the at least one LED from the power source;   activating the at least one LED;   emitting the first light to the light coupler;   altering, within the light coupler, the first light wherein the first light with the first numerical aperture alters to a second light with a second numerical aperture less than the first numerical aperture; and   providing the optical fiber with the second light.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising an electronic driver controlling the at least one LED. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the control of the at least one LED comprises power modulation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the control of the at least one LED comprises power modulation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one LED is a surface-emitting LED. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one LED is three surface-emitting LEDs. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second light is received by the optical fiber within the acceptance angle of the optical fiber, wherein a coupling efficiency between the first light and the second light is at least 95%. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , the light coupler comprises an optical integrating sphere. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the light coupler comprises a ball lens. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the light coupler is an optical sphere and the three surface-emitting LEDs are disposed at 0 degree, 90 degree and 180 degree radials about an equatorial circumference of the optical sphere. 
     
     
         20 . An LED fiber optics device comprising:
 at least one LED configured to receive power and control signals, the at least one LED emitting a first light with a first emission cone;   a light coupler in optical communication with the at least one LED, the light coupler receiving the first light and emitting a second light; and   an optical fiber comprising an acceptance angle, the optical fiber in optical communication with the light coupler;   wherein the light coupler alters the first light with the first emission cone to a second light with a second emission cone less than the first emission cone;   wherein a coupling efficiency between the first light and the second light is at least 95%.