KR20020040861A - Lamp apparatus and method for effectively utilizing light from an aperture lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

Various lamp systems are described and the lamp systems effectively utilize the light from the aperture lamp 3. The lamp systems are each structured to allow for a variety of recovery, including ethenic recycling, polarization recycling, and / or color recycling. Various new optics are described, which include an electrodeless light bulb (5) with an integrated lens (9), a molded quartz ball lens with an integrated flange, a molded quartz CPC with an integrated flange, a cut CPC , Segmented CPC. Various new optical systems are described and include a system for performing each selection and / or etendue selection.

Description

LAMP APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EFFECTIVELY UTILIZING LIGHT FROM AN APERTURE LAMP}

In general, the present invention relates to lamp systems of the type described in US Pat. Nos. 5,773,918 and 5,903,091, each of which is described herein in its entirety by reference. Each of the '918 and' 091 patents describes various lamp systems that allow for the useful use of wasted light.

summary

Many of the inventions described herein are described in PCT Publication No. PCT / US00 / 16302 and PCT Publication No. WO 99/36940, filed June 29, 2000, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Described in the specification.

According to one feature of the invention, the lamp system comprises an envelope containing a fill which is capable of recycling light; And an optical element installed at regular intervals from the envelope, the optical element being inside the envelope to recirculate the light emitted from the envelope by the filling outward of a desired angle. It serves to return the light while passing through the light of the desired angle range, the light output of the desired angle range has a higher value when compared to the case without the optical device, the desired angle Is selected by the uniformity and angular distribution of light emitted from the envelope.

According to another feature of the invention, it comprises an envelope containing a filler capable of recirculating light; And a high temperature wire grid polarizer disposed very close to the envelope and returning light of an undesired polarity to the envelope for recirculation by the filling while the desired polarization. and a wire grid polarizer capable of withstanding an operating temperature of at least about 400 ° C.

According to another feature of the invention, it comprises an envelope containing a filler capable of recirculating light; An optical instrument defining an aperture corresponding to a desired angle associated with the envelope; A high temperature wire grid polarizer disposed in close proximity to the optics in an aperture region of the optics, wherein the optics are arranged at regular intervals from the envelope and the outside light of the desired angle is Is configured to recirculate by the filler and to return it back into the envelope, wherein the polarizer is configured to return unwanted polarization to the interior of the envelope to be recycled by the filler, wherein the light exits the lamp system. Is in the range of the desired acceptance angle and has a desired polarity, wherein the light output has a higher value compared to the case without the optical device and the polarizer. For example, the polarizer is installed in an aperture defined by the optical device. In another embodiment, the polarizer is planar and the system includes a lens installed between the polarizer and the bulb, wherein the lens increases the amount of light sent back into the envelope by the polarizer. It is adapted to make.

According to another feature of the invention, an optical apparatus comprises a plurality of optical fibers, the optical fibers having a small interstitial therebetween; Reflective material is optionally installed on the small gap.

According to another feature of the invention, the invention includes a method of making a mask on an optical device comprising a plurality of optical fibers, said optical fiber defining a small gap therebetween, said method comprising Installing a photo-active material at one end over both the optical fiber and the small gap; Illuminating the other end of the optical device with suitable light to photo-activate the photo-active material; Removing any of the activated or non-activated materials to provide the desired mask.

According to another feature of the invention, a lamp system comprises an envelope containing a filler capable of recirculating light; It has a plurality of optical fibers and the optical fiber comprises a fiber optic bundle defining a small interstitial space between and a reflective material is installed over the small gap space, wherein the reflective material is in the filler material. Part of the light that is not incident on the optical fiber is returned to the inside of the envelope for recirculation.

According to another feature of the invention, a lamp system comprises an envelope containing a filler capable of recirculating light; A reflective material surrounding the envelope except for a region of a light emitting aperture; Optics arranged along a light emitting envelope and positioned proximate to the envelope, wherein the optics pass light within a desired angular distribution range and return light outside the desired angular distribution back to the envelope for recirculation. It maintains an anti-reflection coating so formed.

According to another feature of the invention, the lamp system comprises an envelope containing a filling capable of recirculating light; An optical element arranged along the light emitting envelope, wherein the optical device comprises a reflective structure spaced from the envelope, the reflective structure comprising a plurality of light emitting apertures ( A light emitting aperture is defined, wherein the optics and the reflective structure together are capable of returning light that does not pass through the plurality of light emitting apertures back to the envelope for recirculation.

According to another feature of the invention, the lamp system comprises an envelope surrounded by a reflective ceramic material except for the light emitting aperture region; An optical device located very close to the aperture along an optical axis, wherein the area of the aperture increases in a direction along the optical axis away from the bulb 133, Such a structure allows for greater optical access to the bulb which is located relatively closer to the optics as compared to the features of the uniform area.

According to another feature of the invention, the lamp system comprises an envelope surrounded by reflective ceramic except for a first aperture area; A hollow optical element positioned with an input end opposite the enclosed envelope, wherein the surface of the input end in contact with the enclosed envelope is reflective, wherein the input end is a second sub- Defines a feature and an inside perimeter of the second feature defines the inside of the circumferential surface of the first feature such that the second feature defines a light emitting feature for the envelope. inside of a perimeter).

According to another feature of the invention, the lamp system comprises an envelope; A light rod integrally coupled to the envelope; The reflective ceramic material covers the envelope except where the light rod is coupled to the envelope, wherein the reflective ceramic material is a junction of the envelope and the light rod to avoid scattering light incident on the rod. It is made to bevel nearby.

According to another feature of the invention, an optical instrument consisting of a single unit of high temperature comprises: an optics portion; A positioning portion engaged with the optical portion, wherein the mounting portion is adapted to not interfere with the operation of the optical portion, wherein the two portions withstand an operating temperature of at least 400 ° C. It is formed in one-piece construction using any suitable material. For example, the optical part comprises a truncated ball lens, a mounting part flange on the entrance face of the ball lens, the two parts being made of molded quartz. As another example, the optical portion includes a CPC, the installation portion is a flange on the CPC exit face, and the two portions are made of molded quartz.

According to another feature of the invention, the optical device comprises a plurality of truncated cone portions and has angled steps with a straight cross-sectional portion to facilitate access to the curved cross-sectional portion. Formed.

According to another feature of the invention, it comprises a rounded input face and an output face, the output face being cut from a rounded portion to a relatively more square face with four faces, the four faces being substantially output Perpendicular to the plane;

According to another feature of the invention, the optical device comprises four segments coupled to each other along each edge, wherein the square output corresponds to a smaller portion of the CPC and is relatively smaller. Maintain the curve of the CPC to provide a desired angular transformation while providing a rectangular output.

According to another feature of the invention, an optical system comprises: an input iris and an output iris having a structure arranged along an optical axis and restricting light to pass only to a desired angular range; And optics installed close to the output iris and adapted to bend the edge rays inwardly with respect to the optical axis while the inner rays are emitted unchanged.

According to another feature of the invention, the lamp system comprises an envelope which can be re-circulated and contains a filler and covered by a reflective ceramic material except for the region of the first aperture; And a reflector disposed at regular intervals from the envelope and defining a second feature aligned along the optical axis, such as the first feature, wherein the reflector reflects light from the first feature, Light hitting the reflector outside of the area of the second aperture is returned to the interior of the first feature for recirculation, where the distance from the first feature to the second feature and the first feature are related. The relative size of the second feature is chosen according to the target etendue.

According to another feature of the invention, the lamp system comprises an envelope containing a refillable filler and covered by a reflective ceramic except for the region of the aperture; An angle selecting optical element adjacent the envelope and adapted to transmit light in a desired range and to send light outside the desired range back into the envelope for recirculation; An integrator adapted to receive light from each angle selector; An angle transforming optical element adapted to receive light from the integrator. In some embodiments, the light selection optics, integrator, and each conversion optics are all hollow and made integrally for each. In some other embodiments, each selection optics, integrator, and each conversion optic is made of a separate and separate structure and utilizes various mechanical features for installing the structures for each.

According to another feature of the invention, an optical apparatus receives light at the input plane, transmits the first polarized light through the first output plane along the first optical axis and through the second output plane. A polarizer cube made to reflect a second polarized light; A polarization rotater disposed proximate to the second output surface for changing a second polarized light to be polarized identically to the first polarized light; And a mirror for guiding light of the polarizing rotator such that light passing through the first output surface travels in the same direction.

According to another feature of the invention, an optical tube (a optics tube) comprises a lens tube for receiving and fixing the lens therein; A first flange connected to an input end of the lens tube and defining a structural feature adapted to combine with a corresponding feature on an aperture lamp to provide optical alignment along the optical axis; A second flange connected to the output end of the lens tube and defining a structural feature adapted to engage with a corresponding feature on an enclosure, whereby the aperture lamp is internal to the enclosure; It is fixed with a suitable aerment to provide light.

According to another feature of the invention, the lamp system comprises an RF driven light source; A lens tube installed in the RF driving light source; And an RF chock valve installed between the lens tube and the light source and adapted to reduce EMI from the light source. For example, the RF regulating valve includes a conductive mesh screen.

According to another feature of the invention, the lamp system has an enclosure, characterized in that having a length, width, depth, having a depth much smaller than any of the length or width; An aperture lamp installed to guide light into the enclosure; And a lens system adapted to receive light from the aperture lamp and to have a shape such that light output is more evenly distributed within the enclosure. For example, the enclosure includes a standard 2 ?? 2 or 2 ?? 4 trough where the lens system is an angular extent of light in one dimension with respect to depth. It includes a cylindrical lens installed to reduce the.

According to another feature of the invention, a projection system comprises: an electrodeless light source; An image gate illuminated by the electrodeless light source; And a shutter that is selectively opened and closed to project an image from the image gate, wherein the electrodeless light source is adjusted in accordance with the opening and closing of the shutter.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are made individually or in combination. The present invention should not be inferred as requiring two or more of the above features unless expressly stated in the claims.

In general, various aspects of the present invention relate to lamp systems that effectively utilize the light of an aperture lamp. Some properties related to the absorption and re-emission by the lamp plasma relate to the new structure formed to return some of the light emitted from the aperture back to the aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The previously described and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of more specific suitable embodiments set forth in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are generally the same as viewed from various points of view. Is associated with. The scales need not be consistent in the drawings, and the emphasis is placed on the drawings to present the principles of the invention.

1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a lamp system according to the invention for carrying out etendue recycling.

FIG. 2 shows a graph of each distribution of light for an aperture lamp as compared to the Lambertian distribution.

3 shows the intensity versus beam angle of a lamp system with a non-limiting output, a lamp system with limited power and no recirculation, and a lamp system with limited power and etendue recirculation. The graph is shown.

4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a lamp system according to the invention using a high temperature wire grid polarizer for polarizing re-circulation.

5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a lamp system according to the invention using both etendue recirculation and polarizable recirculation.

Figure 6 shows a cut perspective view of a first fiber optic bundle according to the present invention.

7 shows a schematic, cut cross-sectional view using an optical fiber bundle according to the present invention.

8a to 8d show schematic cross-sectional views of the process steps for making an optical fiber bundle according to the invention.

9A-9D show schematic cross-sectional views of alternative process steps for making optical fiber bundles in accordance with the present invention.

10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second optical fiber bundle in accordance with the present invention.

11 shows a perspective view of a third optical fiber bundle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic, cross-sectional cutaway view of a lamp system using a micro-lens array according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a lamp system using a chamfered aperture.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cut corner of FIG. 13.

15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a lamp system using optical instruments to define bulb apertures.

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a lamp system using angle selective coatings.

17 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a remote aperture lamp system according to the present invention.

18 shows a schematic cross sectional view of another remote aperture lamp system according to the invention.

19-24 show perspective views of different optical instruments and remote aperture structures, respectively, in accordance with the present invention.

25 shows a diagram of an optical system having a structure that provides a planar light source of polarized light.

FIG. 26 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a lamp system using the optical system of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 shows a cross sectional view of a jacketed bulb with an integral light rod.

FIG. 28 shows a cross-sectional view of a coated bulb with a light bar as a component in which the bulb jacket is beveled.

29 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electrodeless lamp bulb with a lens as a component.

30 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an aperture lamp using the bulb of FIG. 29.

31 shows a schematic diagram of a ball lens.

32 shows a schematic diagram of a molded ball lens according to a feature of the present invention.

33 shows a front schematic view of the molded ball lens.

34 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mold making a molded ball lens.

35 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative mold that produces a molded ball lens.

36 shows a schematic diagram of a molded CPC with flanges as components.

37 shows a cross sectional view of a molded CPC.

38 shows a perspective view of a molded TLP with flanges as components.

39 shows a cross-sectional view of a TLP.

FIG. 40 shows a schematic of a tapered light cone with angled steps.

FIG. 41 shows a schematic of a tapered light cone with a lens.

42-44 show left side, front and bottom views for CPC, respectively.

45-47 show top, front and right side views, respectively, of a truncated CPC cut along the dashed line shown in FIGS. 42-44.

48 shows a front view of a suitable truncated CPC with distant apertures.

49 shows a perspective view of a segmented solid CPC.

50 shows a perspective view of a partially hollow CPC.

51 shows a schematic diagram of an optical system for bending edge rays in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

52 shows a schematic diagram of another optical system of curved edge rays.

FIG. 53 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a lamp system using an etendue sorting method in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG.

54 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a lamp system utilizing each sorting method and integrator in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

55-59 show cross-sectional views of alternative optical structures of the lamp system shown in FIG. 54, respectively.

FIG. 60 illustrates an enlarged view of area 60 of FIG. 59.

61 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary optical system in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

62 shows a schematic diagram of another exemplary optical system in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

63 shows a schematic diagram of another exemplary optical system in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

64 shows a schematic diagram of a projection system in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

65 shows a schematic diagram of a lamp system using a polarizing cube according to another feature of the present invention.

66 shows a schematic diagram of a lamp system using a polarizing cube according to another feature of the present invention.

67-69 illustrate top, left and right side views, respectively, of an optics holder in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

70 illustrates a front view of an aperture bulb suitable for use of the optical holder.

71-72 show left and top views, respectively, of a lens tube in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

73 shows a schematic of an RF screen suitable for being accommodated by a lens tube.

74 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of an RF screen installed in a tube.

75 shows a perspective view of an enclosure used for a light box in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

76 shows a perspective view of a lens used in a light box.

77 shows a cross sectional view of the light box.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not for purposes of limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular structures, interfaces, techniques, etc., and the above detailed description is intended to provide a detailed understanding of the invention. to be. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the presented technology that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments, without departing from the foregoing specific details. In some embodiments, descriptions of well-known devices and methods are omitted to avoid obscuring the technology of the present invention due to unnecessary details.

Etendue recycling

According to the invention, an increased amount of light is transmitted from the aperture lamp into the necessary etheneu, where the aperture lamp is described in the above-mentioned PCT Publication No. WO 99/36940. For example, in some embodiments, such as projection systems, important performance parameters are the number of lumens delivered to an optical imaging element with a given area and angular acceptance. Becomes In the context of this specification, etendue, ε, is defined as follows:

ε = π × (area) × sin ² (θ)

In the above, θ represents the half angle of the cone of the specified light rays.

Three-dimensional light sources, such as conventional arc lamps, have an external reflector for redirecting and collecting light over the required object or plane due to the resulting losses due to condensing efficiency between other elements. I use it. In addition, arc lamps generally provide only localized bright spots, allowing substantial portions of the light source lumen to diverge from other forms of notably bright discharge portions.

The aperture lamp of the '940 publication addresses many of the problems presented above by providing a two-dimensional light source with a fairly uniform light output. The ball lens can be placed in contact with the lamp aperture so that suitable lenses can be installed to provide light with the necessary light angles. However, the potential for further improvements has been confirmed by the inventors of the present invention.

The actual light distribution from the aperture lamp is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, for higher angles the light output falls off faster than the Lambertian cos (θ) curve. The Lambertian light distribution has a uniform brightness. In other words, the brightness observed from any angle has the same value. The result is that any angular filtering of a Lambertian light source produces the same brightness. Light is added or subtracted in the same proportions as the ethentu.

However, for sub-Lambertian sources, there is little light for larger angles. The lens structure described in the '940 publication incorporates the angles into the transmitted light and consequently increases the etendue significantly more than the lens structures increase the light. According to the presented feature of the present invention, light outside the desired angle is redirected back to the lamp to reduce the impact of the sub-lambersian light output on the intente. According to another feature of the invention, the size of the aperture lamp is increased so that for a limited output angle a larger lamp aperture area is combined with the target etendue. Increasing the aperture size significantly increases the amount of light output, while having the effect of slightly reducing the peak value of the brightness directed forward. Such a difference may represent a substantial gain in the amount of light directed into the target etendue.

One lamp system capable of end-end recirculation uses a ball lens having a reflective outer surface that defines an aperture. The large angle of light is returned back into the lamp, where the light is reabsorbed and the light is re-emitted with the possibility given by the previous integrating sphere approach. Such a structure would result in a reduction in light output but would reduce the intent. Light output can be further increased by increasing the size of the lamp aperture.

Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a suitable lamp system for the end-end recirculation performed. The aperture bulb 3 comprises a bulb 5 installed inside the ceramic cup 7. The bulb 5 is installed in a state of leaning against a front ceramic washer 9 and the front ceramic washer 9 forms a boundary with the first aperture 11. The space inside the cup 7 outside the portion where the bulb 5 is installed is filled with a reflective ceramic material 13. The rear ceramic disc 15 is installed inside the cup 7 behind the reflective material 13. For more details regarding the structure of the aperture cup 3, reference may be made to '940.

The ball lens 17 is installed in front of the aperture 11 and functions to reduce the beam angle of light emitted from the aperture 11. The optics 19 are installed at regular intervals from the ball lens 17 and define a second aperture 21 corresponding to the desired angle of the light passing therethrough, wherein the angle is relative to the symmetrical optical axis. Is defined. The reflective surface 23 in contact with the aperture 11 is formed to direct at least some light outside the desired angle range back into the bulb 5, where the light is absorbed and re-emitted by the plasma. For example, a photon propagating along path A leaves the ball lens 17 along path B, where photons collide with the optics 19 and return to bulb 5 along path C. Goes. Some of the wasted light that is returned is re-emitted and there is a possibility of passing the second feature 21 out of the first feature 11 within the desired angle range, and because of this possibility The light passing through may increase the intensity.

In the suitable configuration shown in FIG. 1, the ball lens 17 has a first radius R1 and the optics 19 has a second radius R2, the second radius R2 having a value greater than R1. The ball lens 17 and the optical device 19 do not share a common center. However, their respective center points C1, C2 are aligned along the common optical axis indicated by the center line C _L. The optical instrument 19 is formed such that the center point C2 is located inside the bulb and suitably allows most of the light reflected by the optical instrument 19 to pass through the aperture 11 and enter the bulb 5. It is formed in close proximity to the aperture 11.

FIG. 3 shows a graph of intensity versus beam angle with unrestricted output, with the same lamp system with limited output and the same lamp system with no recirculation and with limited output using etendue recirculation. As is evident from the graph, simply limiting the output (eg, non-reflecting aperture stop) does not increase the intensity but merely reduces the beam angle of the light. However, by using etendue recirculation according to the present invention (eg, in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 1), not only the beam angle is reduced but also the light intensity is increased significantly.

High temperature polarization recycling

As described in the aforementioned '091 patent, undesired polarization can be achieved by lamp plasmas such as, for example, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, indium halides and other metal halides. Can be usefully recycled. Conventional optical devices that perform such recirculation include optical films such as dual brightness enhancing film (DBEF) manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M). Such films are made of plastic and cannot withstand high temperatures. Moreover, the films may experience a degradation in the presence of ultraviolet light, which degrades the useful life of the optical system using the film for light having a broad spectral distribution.

4 shows a cross-sectional view of a lamp system according to the invention using a high temperature wire grid polarizer for polarizing recirculation. The aperture bulb 33 is similar to the aperture bulb 3 including the bulb 35 installed in the ceramic cup 37. The light bulb 35 is installed in a state of leaning against the ceramic washer 39 and the ceramic washer 39 defines the aperture 41. The inner space of the cup 37, except for the portion where the bulb 35 is installed, is filled with a reflective ceramic material 43. The rear ceramic disc 45 is installed in the cup interior 37 behind the reflective material 43.

According to a feature of the invention, the wire grid polarizer 46 is installed directly in front of the aperture 41. The ball lens 47 is mounted to the polarizer 46 against the polarizer 46 on the opposite side of the polarizer 46. The lamp system may also include an optional cleanup polarizer 49, in which an optional clear polarizer 49 is mounted on the curved outer plane of the ball lens 47.

The wire grid polarizer 46 is configured to pass light having a desired polarity and return light of an undesired deflection to the bulb 35 through the aperture 41. The returned light has the potential to be absorbed by the filler and re-emitted with the desired deflection, thereby increasing the useful light output. An advantage of the wire grid polarizer 46 is that it is made of a high temperature material (eg metal or glass) and can withstand high operating temperatures (eg at least 400 ° C.). Suitable wire grid polarizers are commercially available from various providers, including, for example, Moxtek, Inc. of 0rem, Utah.

Depending on the particular lamp structure, the direct temperature on the front of the aperture 41 may exceed the maximum operating temperature of the polarizer 46. In such an environment, the polarizer 46 is not installed and instead a cleanup polarizer 46 is used as the main polarizer of the lamp system. The polarizers 46 and 49 can be made integrally with the ball lens 47 or as a separate device separate from it.

Etendue and polarization recycling

5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a lamp system according to the present invention utilizing both etendue recirculation and polarizable recirculation. The aperture lamp 3 is identical to that described in connection with FIG. 1 above. The ball lens 17 is located in front of the aperture lamp, and the optical device 19 is spaced apart from the aperture lamp 3. The wire grid polarizer 51 is provided in the second aperture 21 defined by the optical device 19.

In operation, at least a portion of the light outside the desired angular range defined by the aperture 21 is returned to the bulb through the aperture 11 and is within the desired angular range but at least a portion of the light with undesired polarization is Return to the bulb through the aperture (11). As a result, the light exiting the lamp system through the aperture 21 is light in the desired angular range and at the same time having the desired polarization. Some of the light returned to the bulb is recirculated by the plasma and leaves the lamp system with the desired angular range and the desired polarization, increasing the useful light output in this manner.

Advantageously, the polarizer 51 is sufficiently spaced from the aperture bulb 3 to maintain the operating temperature of the polarizer at a suitable operating temperature, which operating temperature typically has a value much smaller than the specific maximum operating temperature. . Moreover, the material of the wire grid polarizer 51 does not cause substantial quality degradation in the presence of UV light and thereby does not limit the useful life of the lamp system.

A further advantage of the combined etendue / polarized recirculation lamp system is that, with the wire grid polarizer 51, an optical instrument 19 having a suitable structure can reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) leakage. Both optical instrument 19 and polarizer 51 may be made of a conductive material. For example, the optics 19 may comprise a mirror made of silver and the wire grid polarizer 51 may comprise an array of metal wires. According to the invention, the optical device 19 and the polarizer 51 can be integrated on a lens tube made of an electrically conductive material (e.g. aluminum), all of which can be electrically connected together and effective EMI shielding ( may be grounded to form a shield.

Efficient coupling of light into a fiber optic

According to a presented feature of the invention, there is a structure for providing a more efficient coupling of light from an aperture lamp into a fiber optic bundle, wherein the fiber bundle is comprised of individual fibers. It has small interstitial spaces in between. The small crevice space can be a "dead space" due to the cladding surrounding each fiber. In a conventional lamp system, light from a lamp system that strikes a small gap space is consumed as wasted light instead of being sequentially transmitted to the fiber. The small interstitial space can range from 14-40% of the fiber bundle and thus represents a significant light loss.

According to the present invention, the above problem can be avoided by installing a reflecting layer on the small gap area of the receiving plane of the optical fiber bundle, and each of the fiber planes that do not reach the light has a reflective layer. Leave not installed. The light reflected from the small gap area is returned to the inside of the active lamp volume, and part of the returned light is recycled and re-emitted. The re-emitted light has the possibility of intercepting and entering active fiber surfaces with light transmitted by the fibers. Reflective small gap spaces effectively become part of the reflective envelope of the aperture lamp. Likewise, in the next step, the sum of the respective fiber apertures represents an effective aperture area for the lamp, and the aperture lamp has a structure that considers such an effective aperture area as appropriate.

6 shows a cut away perspective view of a first optic bundle according to the invention. The optical fiber bundle 61 includes a plurality of respective optical fibers 63. Each of the fibers 63 defines a small gap between them and a reflective material 65 is installed over the small gap.

Figure 7 shows a schematic cut cross-sectional view of an optical system using an optical fiber bundle according to the present invention. The aperture lamp 62 includes a bulb 64 covered by a reflective ceramic 66 that defines an aperture 67. The lamp system is formed in such a way that one end of the bundle with the reflective material 65 installed thereon is installed adjacent to the aperture 67. Photons leaving the aperture and emitted from the plasma along path A enter the reflective ceramic material 65 and return to the plasma, in which photons are absorbed by the plasma 68 and the respective fibers 63. Emitted again with the possibility of entering one of

Advantageously, the optical nature of the optical fiber bundle provides itself with various potential processes for depositing reflective layers on small gap spaces. One of the above processes is described below.

Photo-active surface chemistry is known in the art of patterned metalization. In this type of process, a thin film photon-active layer is formed on the subject surface. The surface is exposed to a patterned image that changes the chemical activity of the photon active layer in the area exposed to light. The “exposed” surface is “developed” in chemical properties to remove the initial photoactive layer on the area that was previously exposed to the next step, and a thin film metallic reflective to the area that was not exposed. The layer is optionally formed. Exposing the area covering the active fiber surface is as simple as exposing the other surface of the fiber bundle to the light needed to photon activate the thin film.

8A-8D show schematic cross-sectional views of process steps for making an optical fiber bundle according to the present invention. 8A shows an initial optical fiber bundle comprising a plurality of individual fibers 73 and a small crevice material 74. In FIG. 8B, a photo-active adhesion layer 77 is deposited at one end of the optical fiber bundle 71 and the other end of the optical fiber bundle 71 forms a layer 77. It is exposed to suitable light 77 to activate. Only this area of the layer 77 coinciding with each of the fibers 73 is substantially exposed to light. As shown in FIG. 8C, the remaining adhesive layer 77 after further processing corresponds to a region coinciding with the small gap region 74. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8D, a metalized reflector layer 75 is optionally formed over the remaining adhesive layer 77.

There are a variety of other processing procedures that can be used to selectively convert small gap areas on the fiber bundles to reflective surfaces. The process is additional-that is, reflective material is optionally added to the small gap space. The optional removal process can be applied where the initial thin film is photoactively bonded to the fiber surface and removed from the small gap area; The whole area can be coated with a reflective material that later adheres well to the uncoated crevice area; The resulting surface is exposed to an active solvent in the next step and the solvent acts on the photo-active material on the underlying active fiber surface but not on the reflective material on the crevice material. Such may optionally be done, for example an organic photoactive material and an inorganic reflective layer (the materials may be metallic or have dichroic properties).

9A-9D show schematic cross-sectional views of an alternative process procedure for making an optical fiber bundle according to the present invention. In FIG. 9A, the optical fiber bundle 81 has a layer of organic material 87 that can be photo-stabilized deposited on the end surface of the fiber bundle. As shown in FIG. 9B, the material removed after the further processing coincides with the niche material 84 while the remaining material 87 is material that matches the fibers 83. In FIG. 9C, a layer 85 formed to be directional is added to the bundle 81. In FIG. 9D, a solvent is used to selectively remove the organic layer 87 along with the reflective material 85 formed over the organic layer 87. The remaining reflective layer 85 corresponds to the reflective material coinciding with the gap material 84.

Advantageously, the two process steps utilize the fiber bundle geometry to provide a self-aligned selective process of the reflective layer, thereby eliminating the need for additional photo-masks and simplifying the inventory process. .

Color recycling

10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second optical fiber bundle in accordance with the present invention. According to the presented feature of the invention, the reflective material present in the interstitial space combines with selective wavelength reflection to recirculate even more light. In FIG. 10, optical fiber bundle 91 includes each optical fiber 93 and crevice material 94. One end of the bundle 91 additionally includes a fully reflecting layer 95 that coincides with the interstitial material 94 and the optional reflective layer 95, wherein the fully reflecting layer 95 is formed from the fibers 93. At least coincident and covers the entire plane of the end of the bundle 91 as shown in FIG. 10. For example, the optional reflective material 97 includes a red / green / blue (RGB) band pass dichroic material. In operation, light incident on reflective layer 95 is returned to the bulb and light incident on reflective layer 97 selectively returns to the bulb for recirculation outside the desired wavelength range. Considering the process, the order of the optional reflective layer 97 and the reflective layer 95 may be reversed (eg, the color picker material may be on top of the metal material).

Alternatively, three separate bundles can be used to selectively extract separate color bands (eg, one for each of red, green, and blue) simultaneously from each of the three features of the same lamp. have. Three separate fibers or fiber bundles can be coated using dichroic bandpass filters for three desired RGB bands. The light reflected from each bandpass filter will be immediately recirculated because the filter is located very close to the aperture lamp.

Alternatively, a large core optical fiber, a tapered light pipe, or other light guide may be used as a color screening band at the end of the waveguide at the end of the aperture lamp. It can be formed to have a pass filter. Light outside the desired wavelength range is reflected back through the fiber / TLP / optical waveguide and returned back into the lamp through the aperture. As described above, three separate waveguides can be used for each of the RGB bands. The fiber / TLP / optical waveguide may include a polarizing filter at either end that recirculates unwanted deflected light.

11 illustrates a perspective view of a third optical fiber bundle in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The single fiber bundle 101 is formed to have respective band pass filters R, G, B over different geometric regions, each band pass filter having respective output windows for each of the RGB colors ( 103, 105, 107). The light reflected from each bandpass filter can be immediately recycled because the filters may be located very close to the aperture lamp. The polarizing filter can be applied to remotely located windows 103, 105, and 107, and by this application the lamp generation efficiency is reflected back by reflecting back the unwanted polarization through the fibers for recirculation. Increase. The bundle 101 may include reflective material in the gap space at the end of the R / G / B band pass filter of the bundle 101.

Micro-lens array

Figure 12 shows a schematic, cutaway cross-sectional view of a lamp system using a micro-lens arrangement according to the present invention. Micro-lens array 111 comprises three lenses 113, 115, 117. Each of the lenses 113, 115, and 117 is a wavelength selective bandpass filter that defines a fully reflective dichroic that defines a 'local aperture' and which color will pass through the lens. One side is treated as (for example, one each of R / G / B) The array 111 is installed in the reflective ceramic 125 which is installed near the light bulb 121 and surrounds the light bulb 121. It is located within the aperture 123 defined by the three lenses, which are located on three different optical axes which make three separate images, which are made one for each color band. Unused light from color is recycled inside the lamp plasma.

The lamp system described above is presented by way of example and not by way of limitation. With the benefit of the present specification, numerous other optical systems can be made to utilize the various features of the present invention.

Chamfered aperture with overfilled CPC

In accordance with the presented features of the present invention, the aperture lamp has a tapered aperture and allows close access to overfilled optics.

If the entrance face of the optics (eg the side closest to the aperture bulb) is not fully illuminated by the light source, the optics are said to be underfilled. This situation can occur when the entrance face is larger than the aperture and the optics are located very close to the aperture. For example, the ball lens 17 shown in FIG. 5 is in an incompletely filled state with respect to the aperture 11. On the other hand, the optical device is said to be completely overfilled when the entrance face is completely illuminated by the light source. Such a situation may occur if the entrance face is smaller than the aperture or if the optics are arranged at some distance from the aperture. For example, the optical fiber bundle 61 is completely filled with respect to the aperture 67 in FIG. 7.

A problem associated with some incompletely filled optics is the appearance of dark rings of parallax that can cause unwanted unevenness in the light output. The problem with fully filled optics is the loss of light incident beyond the edges of the optics.

It is a feature of the present invention to reduce the amount of light loss for a fully filled optical device by beveling the aperture surface and positioning the optical device closer by the inclination as described above.

With reference to FIGS. 13-14, the lamp system 131 includes a bulb 133 encased inside the reflective ceramic 135 except for the light emitting aperture 137 region. The ceramic disk 136 (which may be installed integrally with the aperture cup) defines the aperture 137. The face 138 of the disk 136 is tapered so that the inlet area on the face of the disk 136 in contact with the bulb 133 is smaller than the inlet area on the opposite side of the disk 136. have. In other words, the area of the aperture 133 increases in the direction along the optical axis away from the bulb 133. Such a structure allows greater optical access to the bulb 133 and allows the optics 139 to be located closer to the bulb relative to the aperture of the uniform area.

Hollow CPC with reflective entrance face defining lamp aperture (CPC) with reflective entrance face defining lamp aperture

According to the presented feature of the present invention, the first optics form part of the integrated volume of the aperture lamp and define a light emitting aperture.

As described above, there is a problem associated with either incompletely or completely filled optics used in an aperture lamp. The present invention solves these problems by using a hollow optical element with a reflective coating on the face.

With reference to FIG. 15, lamp system 141 includes an aperture bulb with a ceramic disk forming an aperture. The hollow optics 147 have a face 149 that rests against the disk 143 and forms an aperture 151. According to the presented features of the present invention, the outer perimeter of the front face 149 is outward of the peripheral face of the feature 145 while the inner perimeter of the front face 149 is the aperture ( Being the interior of the peripheral surface of 145, the front surface 149 is made to have high reflectivity (e.g., reflectivity of 90% or more) at least in the region of visible light. Some of the light incident on the reflective surface of the front surface 149 is returned to the light emitting plasma. Thus, front face 149 forms part of the integrating volume for the aperture bulb and aperture 151 provides the light emitting aperture for the aperture bulb.

Advantageously, the proposed feature of the present invention maintains high brightness through the optics 147 with good spatial uniformity and angular uniformity at the output side of the optics. Hollow optics have potentially higher efficiency than solid state optics for the etendue conversion of light. For example, as mentioned above, solid state optics must underfill the aperture (ie, completely fill with light). Hollow optics are also compared to solid state optics, in particular solid state optics covering the aperture 145 and forming a closed insulated space between the bulb and the optics. Compared with, it provides better thermal characteristics for the conductive cooling of the bulb window. Another advantage of the presented features of the present invention is that the tolerance between the aperture bulb and the first optics is relaxed. Since the optics themselves define the aperture, the system is self-determined and the optics need not be exactly centered with respect to the bulb.

For example, the front side 149 and the inner side 153 of the optics 147 may be coated with a high temperature dichroic coating to provide a suitable reflective surface. Optionally, depending on the coating process, coating the entire optics 147 may be more cost effective. Optical instrument 147 is illustrated as a CPC, but other hollow optics include a TLP, a light rod or integrator, and a spherical reflector or angle selector. Can be used without.

Suitably, the hollow optics 147 are formed with little or no possible seams on the inner plane 153. One way to make optics without internal seams is to shrink hollow quartz tubes around a seamless mold.

Selective high angle cutoff

According to the presented feature of the present invention, high angle light is removed with the light beam and returned to the plasma and a portion of the light returned from the plasma is re-emitted to the desired beam angle range. . In the features presented, the angle selection is made to be as close as possible to the light emitting plasma. Each selected range may correspond to, for example, an acceptance angle of the optical instrument. In addition to increasing the efficiency of the light source, the present invention presented increases the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the aperture and this increase occurs because the emitted light is more uniform over the beam angle.

In connection with FIG. 16, the lamp system 154 includes a light bulb 155 located inside the reflective ceramic 157 except for the region of the aperture 159. The optical instrument 161 aligns with the aperture 159 along the optical axis. For example, without limitation, the optics 161 may be a CPC, TLP, spherical reflector, a rod, a cone, suitably quartz or other high temperature dielectric material. Made of) As shown, the optics 161 appear as a right quartz cone with a planar faces. An angle selective dichroic coating is installed on any one of the bulb inner plane 161, the bulb outer plane 165, the entrance face 167 of the optics or the exit face 169 of the optics. . For example, each selective coating has a high transmittance for visible light regions outside the bulb within an angle range of ± 25 degrees relative to the optical axis and high for light in the visible region beyond that range. It is formed to have reflectivity.

Coatings 163-167 over or near bulb 155 are hot dichroic coatings, while coating 169 may be a relatively low temperature coating. Coating of the area consisting of planes 163-167 is generally more effective due to loss due to transport and loss due to return from farther plane 169. A suitable embodiment does not have coating surfaces 163, 165 on the bulb face, each optional coating on the inlet face 167 of the optics 161, and an anti-reflective coating on the outlet face 169. Do not. The lamp system is a wire polarizer and / or a wire gird polarizer as described above mounted on or near an exit surface 169 or a reflective polarizer such as DBEF available from 3M. ) May be included. With respect to such a structure and that the optical device 161 and the light bulb 155 are densely arranged to reduce light leakage, the area between the optical device and the light bulb is returned from the reflective polarizer. The amount of light and the high angle light cutoff can increase the photon flux density relatively. If a suitable structure is formed, 50% or more of the generated light will return to the plasma through the region. Increased photon flux density will have the additional advantage of providing light closer to Lambertian light output.

Remote aperture

With reference to FIG. 17, the aperture lamp system 173 includes a bulb 175 encased inside the reflective ceramic material 177 except for the region of the aperture 179. A tapered light pipe (TLP) 181 is aligned with the aperture 179. Appropriately, the aperture 179 is larger than the narrow end of the TLP 181 so that the TLP 181 is completely filled with light. The TLP 181 includes a structure 183 over the larger end of the TLP 181 that defines a remote aperture 185 positioned at regular intervals from the bulb 175. In such a lamp structure, the structure 183 is essentially part of the light integrating container.

In operation, some rays A exit the lamp system 173 through the remote aperture 185, while some rays B are reflected by the structure 183 and return through the TLP 181. It is incident into the light bulb 185. A portion B of light reflected back into the bulb may be guided back by the reflective material 177 and exit the bulb 175 like light leaving the ram system. In addition, with the appropriate choice of filling material (eg, sulfur or indium halide), a portion (B) of light re-incident to the bulb 175 is absorbed by the filler and exits the lamp system ( Back to A), increasing the efficiency of the system in this manner. Compared with the lamp system using the aperture 179 as the lamp system feature, the advantages provided by the structure 183 defining the remote feature include the following:

1) Larger selection range for the aperture defining structure 183-for example, structure 183 is glazed over the surface of structure 183 in contact with a highly reflective metal (eg, bulb 175). (polished), color screening coatings, or other highly reflective materials;

2) Separation of the optical requirements for the aperture 185 from the thermal requirements for the bulb-since the aperture 185 is located far from the bulb 175, the aperture 185 is an aperture 179 does not have a high temperature compared to the surrounding area;

3) Potential Higher Accuracy to Form System Aperture—Metal Chromatic Manufacturing processes have potentially higher accuracy and repeatability than comparable ceramic manufacturing processes;

4) potential higher optical alignment; And

5) Better Configuration Management—As shown in FIGS. 19-24, the optics and remote apertures may have may shapes and sizes. However, a single aperture lamp can use several different optics to meet different system level requirements. For example, the same aperture lamp can be coupled to a circular optical fiber or square LCD image gate by modifying an optical piece to have the required remote aperture structure.

With reference to FIG. 18, the aperture lamp system is similar to the system described above, except that the optical element forms a structure 189 of the remote aperture 191. Compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) 187. The CPC 187 may be in solid or hollow form and is typically made of a dielectric material such as quartz. For example, structure 189 may be a mirror having portions removed (eg, drilled or machined) to form aperture 191. . The mirror is attached to the end of the solid CPC with an optically transparent adhesive. For example, the mirror is made of a highly polished sheet of metal. Alternatively, structure 189 is a transparent quartz disk with a patterned dichroic coating deposited on top to form aperture 191. The disc is attached to a hollow CPC with optically transparent adhesive around the edge of the CPC. Alternatively, an optics holder may be designed to position the reflective structure 189 at the end of the optics 187.

19 and 20, an optical device according to a feature of the invention comprises a TLP formed into a truncated cone with a circular cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axis of the TLP, the circular cross-sectional area being greater than that of the light source. Defines an aperture at the end of the TLP opposite to one end of the TLP in close proximity. The remote aperture can have any desired shape. In FIG. 19 the remote aperture is square while in FIG. 20 the remote aperture is circular.

In Figures 21 and 22, the optical device according to the invention comprises a TLP in the form of a pyramid consisting of a truncated rectangular plane with a rectangular cross-sectional area perpendicular to the TLP axis and forming a remote aperture. In FIG. 21, the remote aperture is elliptical. In FIG. 22 the remote aperture has a star shape as an example of any or imaginable aperture shape.

In Fig. 23, the optical device according to the present invention comprises a cylindrical rod light guide defining a remote aperture. The illustrated optical waveguide is cylindrical. However, it will be appreciated that the optical waveguide may be of any useful shape, including constant cross-sectional area or prismatic optical waveguides.

24 shows a perspective view of a CPC defining a remote aperture in accordance with the present invention. Inside an optical device in the form of an optical waveguide or TLP, light is reflected several times on the wall of the optical device before exiting the remote aperture or reflecting back to the lamp. Compared to TLP, most light in CPC-type optics typically reflects only once (on each direction) on the wall of the CPC before exiting the remote aperture or reflecting back to the lamp.

In FIG. 24, a plurality of remote features are formed by the reflective structure on the end of the CPC. Such a structure is useful in distributed lighting applications using optical fibers, for example. In the proposed structure, two larger remote features are coupled to optical fibers for the vehicle's hemp lamp while the smaller remote features are used for optical lights for brake lights and / or internal lighting. Can be combined.

Although embodiments of a plurality of optical instruments in accordance with the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other optical instruments (eg lenses) may be combined with an aperture lamp in accordance with the principles of the invention presented herein. It will be appreciated that it can be configured to have a remote aperture that can be used. Thus, the optical system presented above is given by way of example and not by way of limitation. In the form of taking advantage of the present disclosure, numerous other optical systems may be made suitable to utilize the various features of the present invention.

Plane source of polarized light

According to a presented feature of the invention, the planar light source of the deflected light comprises a structure using a transmissive and reflective polarizing device (one polarized light and a second polarized light transmitted) wherein the deflecting device has a planar shape, The planar light source of the deflected light, which is not curved (for example not spherical), comprises a lens adjacent to the deflecting device.

A common problem is to provide light that is deflected from a planar light source (eg, an aperture bulb) of non-uniform light at high angles while creating a uniform planar light source and preserving the etendue as practically as closely as possible. A specific problem solved by the presented features of the present invention is to increase the amount of recycled polarization waste light.

For high angles the light output of the aperture lamp described herein decays faster than the Lambertian cos (θ) curve. The generated light is about 70-80% of the light predicted by assuming a Lambertian light source and using a typical light intensity (perpendicular to the light source and centering the light source).

However, light from the aperture is close to the Lambertian distribution from normal to about 70 degrees and light above the maximum Lambertian angle can be reflected for reuse and returned to the interior of the aperture. Such a thing is indicated as "the etendue recirculation".

With reference to FIGS. 25-26, the presented features of the present invention are similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, except that the lens is excluded from the ball lens (eg, plano-convex lens). A lens is used in conjunction with a polarizer to increase the amount of reflected and deflected waste light that can be effectively reproduced .. The deflector / lens is used to reflect unwanted angles back into the bulb aperture. It is combined with a spherical mirror with a central aperture.

Spherical or curved deflection devices may be required to reflect undesired deflection back into the aperture. However, curved deflection devices are more complex and require higher costs. In the case of planar deflection devices, most of the reflected light with unwanted deflection is not incident back into the aperture. Advantageously, the plano-convex lens used in accordance with the features of the present invention images the light reflected from the deflector and sends it back into the source aperture, The amount of waste light recovered by the above method is increased. The lens or deflection device may suitably be installed inside the central aperture of the mirror. The global aperture area can be adjusted to preserve the initial alpha value (relative to no mirror or deflector). The proposed features of the present invention can be used in combination with suitable adjustments for the size of the lens, center aperture, deflection device and lens.

With respect to FIG. 26, the spherical reflector 193 is installed such that the center of curvature is equal at the center of the plane of the bulb aperture (the aperture exit plane), and the inversion of the aperture in the plane of the bulb aperture is achieved by such an installation. Form an inverted image. The central aperture of the spherical reflector defines the final angular output of light from the aperture bulb up to first order (ignoring error angles and aberrations). Reflective planar deflection device 195 is located in the plane of the spherical mirror aperture. Just below the reflecting surface of the deflector is a planar convex lens 197 having a focal length through which the light of the bulb aperture reflecting from the deflector is imaged on the aperture. The polarizer can be coupled to the plane of the lens (if thermally practical), can be formed on the plane of the lens or form a Fresnel non-reflecting on each of the optical planes. Can be separated. The amount of light reflected from the deflector depends on the deflection and the angle delimited by the reflectivity of the deflector.

Bulb with integral light rod and beveled aperture

According to a feature of the present invention, an aperture bulb with an integrated light rod has a reflective ceramic material that is inclined near the junction of the bulb and the rod to avoid scattering light incident on the rod.

With reference to FIG. 27, the lamp system includes a light bulb 215 with an integrated cylinder rod optical waveguide 213 (which may be solid or hollow) installed inside the reflective ceramic jacket 217. . Light generated by the light bulb 215 exits the lamp system through a light rod 213. At the portion beyond the jacket 217, light is effectively transmitted below the rod 213 by total internal reflection. However, light incident on an interface between the ceramic material 217 and the rod 213 is scattered, and the scattered light is represented by a line with arrows in FIG. 27. A significant portion of the light incident on the rod 213 is not transmitted outside of the lamp system.

With reference to FIG. 28, the presented feature of the present invention is that the ceramic material 217 near the junction of the bulb 215 and the rod 213 at an angle θ such that the inclined surface 219 of the jacket 217 does not contact the rod. Solving the above problem solves the above problem. Advantageously, the light incident on the wall of the rod 213 near the junction of the bulb 215 and the rod 213 does not enter the contact surface with the reflective material 217, and a significant portion of the light is caused by total internal reflection. It is passed down the bar 213.

Bulb with integral lens

According to the presented feature of the invention, the electrodeless lamp bulb is made to be suitable for the first integrated optical device. Advantageously, the presented features of the present invention do not require two optical contact surfaces and one thermal interface.

Some lamp systems described herein and in the '940 publication disclose the use of ball lenses or other optics in a position very close to the aperture lamp. In such a device arrangement, the surface of the bulb and the entrance face of the optics provide two optical contact faces, each of which is affected by Fresenel reflection losses. The surfaces can be treated with a non-reflective coating to reduce losses, but such coatings must be able to withstand the high temperatures of the bulb, add cost and have complexity in the manufacturing process. Another problem with such a device arrangement is that the air space between the bulb window and the optics provides an insulating layer that causes the bulb window temperature to increase, potentially reducing the operating range of the bulb or the lamp system. It will limit the lifetime.

The present invention solves this problem by making the first optical device integrated with the bulb. 29-30, the electrodeless lamp bulb envelope 221 includes a body portion 223 and an optics portion 225. Body portion 223 and optics 225 may be integrally coupled, monolithic, and define a space 227 enclosed together. In a suitable and illustrated embodiment, the bulb 221 is similar to the cross-sectional area of the human eye consisting of a flat entrance face 223 and optics having the general shape of the clipped ball lens.

The bulb 221 is made from quartz, poly-crystalline alimuna, sapphire, or other suitable light transmissive material that can withstand the high operating temperature of the bulb. A suitable embodiment is configured as follows.

1) Starting with a spherical quartz bulb, a solid quartz rod is welded to the bulb.

2) With the area of the weld heated and the quartz rod flattened, it is pushed into the interior of the bulb and forms the front of the optic.

3) Using a quartz lathe, place the torch at a suitable length under the rod at a position away from the bulb and the rod is heated and pulled to cover the curved outer plane of the optics of the ball lens. to provide.

4) When the optics have the desired shape, pinch off the remaining part of the rod and finish the cut off on the optics using heat.

Bulbs made by the method described above are characterized by using optical calibration equipment. An approximate light bulb is shown in FIG. 30 in which the approximate dimensions are made to have a diameter of 9.0 mm relative to the body, an overall length of 10.3 mm in the optical axis direction, and a thickness of the optical part in the optical axis direction of 2.8 mm (curvature radius of 3.4 mm) As in a reflective ceramic jacket with an aperture radius (6 mm). The relative light distribution for the bulb according to the presented features of the invention is flatter at a beam angle of ± 30 ° as compared to a spherical bulb located in a similarly formed reflective jacket.

Advantageously, since the optics are integrated with the bulb, there is no Fresnel loss included in the directing light through the optics. Another advantage is that the air gap between the bulb and the first optics is eliminated.

Molded optical element with integral positioning element

Various optical devices such as lenses, TLPs, rods, CPCs, etc. are useful for guiding light from an aperture lamp. Optical instruments can be difficult to locate and align safely in an optical system. In general, the devices must be accurately positioned with respect to the optical axis and the aperture. However, pins or mounts in contact with the surface of the optical device may cause light loss. Various optically clear adhesives can be used as an alternative, but the use of such adhesives can increase costs, complicate the assembly process, and reduce the lifetime and reliability of the system.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a molded optic having an integrated positioning element capable of mutual contact with other mechanical and / or optical instruments without inducing a qualitative degradation of the optical path. Thereby solving the above problems.

FIG. 31 presents a truncated ball lens suitable for use in conjunction with an aperture lamp for many optical systems. The entrance face typically has a much larger area than the light emitting aperture and the sides of the ball lens are chamfered because light is not directed to the side portions of the lens. 32-33 illustrate a molded ball lens in accordance with the presented features of the present invention. The ball lens consists of a single piece with an integral flange and two key slots 233, 235 near the entrance face. As described above, there is no light above 45 ° of the cone and the shape of the lens moulded out of the area has no optical effect. Advantageously, the flanges and keying slots are located outside of the area and do not impair the optical function of the lens.

34-35, an embodiment of a method of making a molded ball lens is as follows. The solid portion of the quartz rod is heated to soften the quartz and allow the smoothed material to collect at one end. The rod with such gathered material is placed in two mold parts A and B and the mold is closed around the material. For example, one mold portion B forms one spherical portion of the lens and one side of the flange and the other mold portion A surrounds the quartz rod and forms the other side of the flange. The thickness of the flange is defined by a channel formed between the two parts. In a suitable embodiment presented, the channel provides a surplus space through which the gathered material can flow and allow the outer circumferential surface of the flange to be made in any shape. The smoothed quartz flows around a pin provided by one or both of the two molds to form two key slots 233 and 235. Alternatively other positioning features can be combined in the molding process.

Although a suitable embodiment uses two mold portions, two or more mold portions may be used with proper care to avoid seams on the optical path. For example, the mold portion surrounding the quartz rod can be two pieces separated along the center line to allow radial position around the rod.

After the lens is molded at one end of the rod, the rod is cut at a suitable location near the flange to provide the entrance face of the lens. The entrance face is polished as necessary to the desired finish.

In connection with FIGS. 36-37, a molded ground solid quartz axis symmetric optical element includes a flange at the output end. The shape is roughly parabolic-conical (eg conical near the input, then parabolic). In this particular use example, the smaller diameter end will be referred to as the input and the larger diameter end will be referred to as the output.

The integrated flange provides a location for mechanically mounting the CPC using total internal reflection (TIR) to achieve optical performance. The CPC is an optical device element that relies on a TIR to receive light input from a bulb aperture, and after receiving the light, the device delivers the received light to a target point or to an optical instrument having a different controlled size or angle.

Since the CPC depends on the TIR and any contact with the surface constitutes a loss, the flange is located at the output and the loss is minimized because the angle of incidence of light at the output is very small. The shape of the flange appears as a result of the tooling and manufacturing process as well as attemps to minimize secondary grinding operations.

The axial symmetric cross-sectional area of the CPC can be characterized by five characteristics, which feature a flat input 241, a straight segment 243 forming a conical rotated portion, and a parabolic forming a parabolic rotated portion 245. It consists of a spline, an associated flange 247, and a flat output 249. Straight line segments and parabolic splines are adjusted to receive maximum light from a given angle of incidence and to emit light at another desired angle of incidence.

Subsequent grinding and / or finishing of the input and output surfaces is generally a necessary task.

In connection with FIGS. 38-39, the molded optics have the shape of a TLP with a flange integrated at the output end.

Tapered light cone with angles steps

An object of the presented features of the present invention is to provide light transformation from a planar or near plane light source with high angle radiation to a wider area disk light source with a limited angular range. The conversion is done in a manner that provides a less expensive solution than a compound parabolic refractor while preserving the etendue and total light closer than alternative methods.

A problem associated with the use of a refracting compound parabolic quartz concentrator is that the concentrator is expensive. However, much less expensive and simple quartz cones do not achieve the desired results. In connection with Figures 40-41, the presently presented feature utilizes one or more angular steps in the light cone to approximate the implementation of a refractive composite parabolic concentrator. Each of the angles and locations of the steps are chosen to be closest to the refractive compound parabolic concentrator that the stepped cone is intended to replace.

The tapered light cone with stepping angles is cylindrically symmetric and can be solid or hollow. The length and angles of the steps are chosen to approximate the performance of the refractive compound parabolic concentrator. The number of steps can be any value from one to a large number available. The embodiment shown in FIG. 40 includes two steps. The embodiment of Figure 41 includes a convex lens on the output side. The convex lens may be any one of a part of a conical shape or a separately combined form.

The resulting optics are simple, and the optics are an approximation to more effective optics. The dielectric or refracting device that may be replaced may be parabolic or simple curved. In either case, the proposed features of the present invention allow a series of one or more angles to access the concentrating device using formed steps having straight sides, and in the same manner as described above. It offers the advantage of ease.

Refractive or dielectric concentrators can be made without convex lenses, although the resulting optics may be longer than versions with lenses.

Truncated optical element

According to the presented feature of the present invention, the curved or tapered optics are made to have four sides substantially perpendicular to the output face of the optics.

For example, with respect to FIGS. 42-44, a dielectric (eg, glass or quartz) solid CPC may be used to allow light to fall within the desired rectangular area range to reflect internally to form an image gate or image gate light source. It can be modified along four dashed liens to form sides that are perpendicular or slightly angled to the front surface. The resulting optics are shown in FIGS. 45-47.

With reference to FIG. 48, the clipped optics can use an optional remote aperture mask, which faces the output of the optics to re-circulate light incident on the mask. Reflect properly on the facing side.

Advantageously, the truncated optics can preserve light in a projection system that requires a square image gate to a considerably larger range than alternative systems. Dielectric CPCs are known. In many optical systems, the CPC is used in the inverse direction and converts each range of light from high to low without focusing the light. However, a CPC with circular output completely fills a rectangular image target, resulting in wasted light. In accordance with the presented features of the present invention, the CPC is truncated (eg, cut off and / or finished) to have four sides to allow light to be reflected internally from the side into a more square output shape. Cut and / or polished, thereby reducing the amount of waste light.

Segmented CPC

In accordance with the presented features of the present invention, optics having curved (eg circular or elliptical) output surfaces are segmented to make them closer to the rectangular image gate. Advantageously, the segmented optics enhance the amount of light provided from the aperture lamp to the rectangular image target.

As described above, CPCs are useful optics for converting higher angle light into lower angle light. However, the CPC is uneven and the image gate is rectangular in shape so that the gate is completely filled and light is lost at the peripheral surface of the target. With regard to Figures 49-50, the CPC is made to have four sides. Each face is the smallest portion of the CPC that is joined along the edges of the other sides to provide a relatively more square output window. Each of the aspects maintains a curve of the CPC to provide the desired angular transformation. The gate is still fully filled, but the waste light is much less.

The segmented CPC may be molded in one form or may be constructed from four segments. The segmented CPC may be in solid or hollow form. The aperture can be round or square. A suitable embodiment of a segmented CPC approximating a square output has four facests scaled from a much smaller 25 degree CPC designed for an angle of incidence of 85 degrees. The schematic square input of the CPC is limited to a 3.6 mm diameter to accommodate the input of a 3.385 diameter circular aperture. The segmented CPC is approximately 48mm (1.89 ") long and the output is roughly limited by a circle of 24mm (0.94").

Optical for bending edge rays

In accordance with the presented features of the present invention, supplemental devices such as refraction and / or reflection are used to combine the light source near-field etendue with the lens receiving etendue. In particular, the optics are made such that the rays near the light source edge move inward while the internal rays leave unchanged.

For example, one feature of the present invention is the use of stepwise gradation to bend the light rays near the edge of the light source disc inwards without significantly altering the internal light rays to achieve the desired brightness distribution in the desired space. bend).

In connection with FIG. 51, two irises 251, 253 are used to limit the angular distribution of light passing through the desired range. The lens 255 forms a structure such that the light rays near the lens edges are bent inward in a stepwise manner while the light rays inside the lens are deviated unchanged to achieve a better coupling with the target near-field lens receiving etendue. Doing. With reference to FIG. 52, the reflector 257 forms a structure such that the light in the interior is released unchanged while the light near the lens edge is bent inward in a stepwise manner.

Dual aperture etentue selection method and apparatus

According to a feature of the invention, the desired etendue is selected using two features. For example, one aperture corresponds to the output aperture of the aperture lamp and the other aperture is formed in the reflective sphere (or similar shape). The inlets present on the sphere form the inlets of the optical system made to preserve the etendue formed by the two apertures.

Two irises define an acceptance etundue magnitude. Spherical reflectors tend to reflect inverted light over the center of the sphere (ignoring aberrations). The two ideas of the present invention are used. The light-emitting aperture of the lamp corresponds to the first iris. The aperture on the reflective hemisphere is the second iris. The center of the hemi-sphere is located at the center of the aperture of the aperture lamp. In principle, light that does not pass through the second iris is reflected back to the first iris (assuming no aberration). Thus, the light passing through the second iris becomes the selected etendue. The sphere can be deformed to reduce aberrations. The spherical reflector may be smaller than the hemispherical and the center of the spherical reflector is slightly off the lamp aperture for the purpose of reducing aberrations. The second iris then forms the entry of an optical that converts the angle defined by the two iris to reach the receiving angle of the target (e.g. image gate) while preserving the etendue. do.

With reference to FIG. 53, the aperture lamp 261 forms the first iris 263. Spherical reflector 265 forms a second iris. Beyond the second iris 267, the CPC 269 converts and directs light to far downstream stream optics. For a given first iris, reflector 265 performs an etendue selection function by setting the radius of the second iris and the length between the two irises. Etendu can be chosen according to Lambert's formula:

{ - } ²

From above:

ε is etendue;

L is the length between two irises;

R1 is the radius of the first iris;

R2 is the radius of the second iris.

For example, when L = 6 mm and R 1 = R 2 = 3 mm, the etendue is 15.2 mm ² . The etendue selector 265 and the CPC may be made in one shape structure. Depending on the form of the etendue selector, the optical device 269 is shown as a CPC, but the optical device may alternatively be a compound aconic concentrator, ball lens, or other suitable optical device. .

Dual CPC and Integrator

With reference to FIG. 54 (scales are not the same), lamp system 271 includes aperture lamp 273, each selector 275 (eg, CPC, CPC-like reflective surface), light integrator 277. (With optional angle expander, light transducer 279 (e.g. CPC), optional reflective / transparent deflector 281 and optional remote reflective aperture 283) .

An advantage of an angle selector (e.g., hollow CPC or complex non-conical concentrator) is to return high angle light back to the bulb that is not used directly in the illumination projection display image gate. Light will enter the bottom (large diameter) of each selector in a range up to 90 degrees from the optical axis and will or will not pass depending on the angle of incidence.

In some configurations, the light outside each selector may not be as uniform as desired. Integrators distribute light randomly in space and generally improve uniformity. For example, the integrator may comprise a tunnel integrator in the form of a tube with a highly reflective inner surface. In general, uniformity will be improved by increasing the length of the integrator. However, the above should be balanced against the fact that the optics maintain contact and reduce the reflection loss. For light sources with an F-number equal to 1 and hollow cylindrical tubes, a characteristic ratio of 4 or 5 (relative to the diameter of the tube) is expected to produce acceptable uniformity. If the F-number is less than 1, a lower aspect ratio is a satisfactory value. Assuming a hollow tube integrator having an aperture of 4 mm, a cutoff entrance angle of 50 degrees and a diameter of about 3 mm, the length of the integrator should be less than 10 mm.

There is a tradeoff between aspect ratio, tube internal reflectivity, and the maximum light angle inside the integrator. The addition of a short angle transformer following each selector and in front of the integrator preferably reduces the integrator input value from a value near 90 degrees to approximately 70 degrees. Depending on the type of integrator, the optical device 279 is shown as a CPC, but could alternatively be a composite non-conical concentrator (which is very similar to a CPC in view), a ball lens or other suitable optical device. As shown, optics can be made from a hollow structure as a form. The structure may alternatively be in a refractive, suitably A / R coated form. In addition, the structure may be constructed from several forms.

An alternative structure for each selector 275 and integrator 277 is an integrated cone. The first two stages 275 and 277 can be combined into a single very high reflecting cone with a slope angle of small angle (eg less than about 2 degrees). have. A low angle cone of unity reflectance with a single reflectance selects and limits the wide angle passing through the cone and returns balance to the light source. The limit is determined by the conical inlet and outlet regions. Since the cone is a low angle, there may be bounces of light that travel along the length of the cone. Referring to Projection Displays (John Wiley 1999) by Stupp and Brennesholtz, for uniform light across the exit disc area, the cone shape is determined by the length L as follows:

,

Where L _n is the normalized length (dimensionless), n is the refractive index of the dielectric (eg quartz = 1.47, air = 1), A is the average cross-sectional area of the average diameter, {theta} _ {C} is the center Or mid or design cutoff angle. For the aperture lamps described herein, the selection of about 5 standardized lengths results in uniformity of values of 90% or more. For example (a quartz cone with an end diameter of 2.5 or 3.4 mm):

_.

In other words, in this embodiment, the initial diameter of 3.4 mm, the final diameter of 2.5 mm and the length of 26 mm result in a uniform distribution over the circular plane of 2.5 mm diameter at the end of the cone. In the above embodiment, the slope of the cone is slightly smaller than 10 degrees.

The cone can be in the form of a solid dielectric or a hollow hollow (air), in which case an important concern is reflectivity. In the case of dielectrics, the light may escape if it is less than the internal critical angle (for quartz versus normal 42.9 degrees) that may occur with respect to the returned light. Conical outer dielectric coatings designed for very high internal reflections (nearly uniform with respect to the internal angles from 0 to 43 degrees relative to the plane normal) should reduce the amount of outgoing light.

In the case of hollow cones, such critical angles do not exist. The reflectivity associated with the cone surface normal of the conical plane should be as high and practical as possible from almost zero degrees (for returning light) to almost 90 degrees (for direct rays).

With reference to FIGS. 55-58, various methods are presented for mechanically setting the separate forms for each selector, integrator, and CPC.

According to a feature of the invention, the mechanical assembly of the optical instrument comprises a multi-part hollow angle selector 281 (CPC type), an integrator 283 (solid or hollow type). ), Which allows for reduced tolerance construction of the hollow CPC 285.

In FIG. 55, locator pins 287 are used to position the integrator in relation to other portions. However, pin contact locations create light loss. The diameter of the integrator is larger than the output aperture of each selector and the input aperture of the corresponding CPC. The surface of the CPC in contact with the integrator is reflective to circulate light. The above makes it possible to loosen tolerances.

In FIG. 56, the exit of each selector is inclined to limit the movement to about 6 degrees when there is no pin. The bevel is built on top of each selector instead of CPC to reduce light loss. In FIG. 57, both selectors and integrators are inclined to avoid damaging the surface of each selector (which may be coated) from the contacting line made in the structure of FIG. In FIG. 58, each selector includes a flange 289 (eg a counter bore) that limits the integrator.

With reference to FIGS. 59-60, there are two one-piece pairs of CPC / CPC-like hollow reflective optics 291, 293 and an integrator. CPCs are hollow with internal reflective surfaces. Reflective materials, for example, are in the form of a multi-layer dichroic coating designed for an appropriate range of angles and wavelengths. Each of the CPCs forms curved surfaces 291a and 293a at the mechanical contact surface between the CPCs and the integrator, respectively (in the form of small CPCs).

The small CPC 291a at the inlet end of the integrator has two purposes:

1) mechanical holder of the integrator,

2) reducing the maximum input angle of the integrator from 90 degrees to the value a practical AR coating can make, ie 50 degrees or approximately 60 degrees.

The small CPC 293a at the outlet end of the integrator has a primary purpose of acting as a mechanical holder. At both ends, the CPC must be well designed without extending or cutting in the ring of contact to maintain the maximum of telecentric light passing through the optical system. The small CPC 293a at the exit end will be shorter (smaller angular transformation) than the small CPC 291a at the inlet end.

Example optical systems

In accordance with the proposed features of the present invention, unwanted polarization and / or unwanted light outside the range of the desired skew / etendue may be re-made into useful light where a portion of the unwanted light is randomized and useful. It is reflected back to the aperture lamp (as described in the '940 publication) to emit. Advantageously, the overall amount of useful light is increased. The presented features of the invention are useful, for example, for projection displays requiring a bright source of deflected light.

In the lamp of the type described in the '940 publication, the bulb is located inside the reflective ceramic material except for the aperture region. Some of the light reflected back to the bulb is re-directed by the reflective material and leaves the bulb as useful light. In addition, by appropriately selecting the filler material (eg, sulfur or indium halide), some of the light re-incident to the bulb is absorbed by the filler and re-emitted as useful light, in this manner. This increases the efficiency of the system.

With reference to FIG. 61, the optical system 303 includes a compound parabolic concentrator 305, which has an anti-reflective coating on the smaller end of the device. -reflection) (A / R) 307 is maintained. Conventional A / R coatings are optimized for normal angles of incidence (0 degrees). In accordance with the presented features of the present invention, the coating 307 is structured such that light having a high angle of incidence is better coupled with light emitted from the aperture. For example, the A / R coating 307 is formed such that an angle of incidence between about 30 degrees and 55 degrees is appropriate for a half angle of about 40 degrees.

The CPC 305 includes a structure 311 formed over the larger end of the CPC that forms the remote aperture. When combined with an aperture lamp, the structure 311 is essentially part of the light integrating container. In operation, a portion A of the light rays exits the optical system 303 through the remote aperture while the other portion B of light is reflected by the structure 311 and returned to the bulb through the CPC 305. As described above, part of the light B reflected and returned to the bulb may be emitted from the bulb by being directed back by the reflective material and into light A leaving the optical system. A portion B of the light re-incident to the bulb is absorbed by the filling and is emitted again as light A leaving the optical system.

Optical system 303 includes a reflective UV blocking filter 309 that prevents UV light from damaging downstream components. Optical system 303 also includes reflective polarizer 313. Both unwanted ultraviolet and unwanted polarization are reflected and returned to the lamp for re-circulation by the charge. For example, the reflective polarizer 313 may be made of a double brightness enhancing film (DBEF) available from 3M.

With reference to FIG. 62, the optical system 315 includes a CPC 305 with an A / R coating 307 and a remote aperture 311 together. Light from the CPC 305 is directed to a polarizer cube 319 (with finished sides for total internal reflection) and the cube 319 is coupled with the CPC 305. Facing retains the UV reflective coating 321 on one side of the cube 319. Light with the desired deflection is reflected by the cube 319 and directed through the A / R coating 323 to the appropriate optics (eg lens 325). Unwanted polarization is reflected by the visible reflective coating 327 and returned back to the bulb through the CPC 305.

With reference to FIG. 63, the optical system 331 includes a CPC 305 with an A / R coating 307. The optical system 331 includes a flange 333 mounted to the CPC holder or the large end of the CPC 305. For example, CPC 305 is made of quartz (refractive index about 1.46) and flange 333 is a quartz disk attached to CPC 305 with an optically clear adhesive with similar refractive index. The A / R coating 335 is installed at the end of the flange 333 that is not attached to the CPC 305. An air contact surface (refractive index 1.00) is provided between the flange 333 and the lens 337. Lens 337 retains reflective UV coating 339 and reflective polarizer 341 is installed behind lens 337. Other optical instruments (eg, a cube) may be installed behind the polarizer 341.

Projection system with modulated light source

According to a proposed feature of the invention, the projection system comprises an electrodeless light source and a shutter, the shutter being opened and closed to project an image, wherein the power supply to the electrodeless light source is adapted to improve the efficiency of the shutter. Adjusted according to opening and closing.

In connection with FIG. 64, the projection system 351 includes an electrodeless light source 353 that illuminates a frame of reel of film 355 to project an image through the film gate 357. do. In the context of conventional motion picture projectors, the film gate includes a shutter that closes when the film advances between the image frames.

The closed time represents an important part of the operating time of the projector. When the shutter is closed, no light reaches the screen and the light is wasted during the closed time. According to the invention, an electrodeless light source is used in the projection system and the light source is adjusted synchronously with the shutter on the film gate, the adjustment scheme wherein high light output is generated when the shutter is opened and relatively low The light output is in a way that occurs when the shutter is closed, which increases the efficiency of the projection system in the same way. For example, the light source can be adjusted to 32 Hz, corresponding to 32 image frames per second.

Advantageously, the adjustment of the electrodeless light source has no negative effect on the life of the light source. Small sized bulbs (eg 1 cm or smaller) may be desirable depending on plasma response time characteristics with respect to the regulation frequency.

The presented features of the present invention can also be applied to other projection systems that include off stages between LCD or image frames.

Polarizer cube and mirror arrangement

The presented features of the present invention relate to new P / S combiners. In connection with FIG. 65, the optical system includes a light source 401 that provides a guided light to a polarization splitter cube 403. The first polarization passes directly through the cube and the other polarization is reflected in the direction perpendicular to the first polarization towards the front of the cube. A polarization rotator 405 (e.g., quarter wave plate) is installed on the face that receives the reflected light and reflected to make it the same as the first polarization. Rotate the light deflection Light with rotated polarization is reflected through the opposite side of the cube and guided by mirror 407 to combine with the original light of the first polarization.

Alternatively, with respect to FIG. 66, the polarization rotator may include a half wave plate 409 that passes light directly to the plate instead of reflecting and returning the light back to the cube. In such a device arrangement, the mirror 407 is located adjacent to the half wave plate 409.

Advantageously, a greater amount of light is provided for applications requiring deflected light.

Optics holder incorporating aperture cup

Unlike arc discharge lamps, the aperture lamps described herein are substantially planar light sources with an aspect ratio coupled to a desired image plane (eg, an optical gate). Provide profit. Therefore, it is desirable to align the aperture plane accurately with the image plane, and the following alignment is required.

1) no lateral shifts up and down or side to side;

2) the aperture plane is perpendicular to the optical axis (parallel to the image plane);

3) There should be no rotation of the aperture plane around the optical axis.

In accordance with the presented features of the present invention, the optical instrument holder is made to meet such requirements. 67-70, the optics holder 411 provides a hollow tube 413 with flanges 415, 417 at each end. Lenses and other optics may be installed inside the tube by spacers, threaded retainer rings, and the like. One flange 417 forms a recessed shoulder 419 that is adapted to engage with structural features 421 on the aperture cup 423. In particular, the aperture cup can be provided to have structural features in relation to the aperture direction and the flange is made to match the structural features in order to properly position the aperture with respect to the downstream optics. The other flange 415 includes a structural feature 425 that is adapted to engage an enclosure for particular applications, the combination of which relates to the image plane for the applications from which an aperture plane from an aperture cup is associated. In such a way that it is maintained in the proper direction.

In a suitable embodiment presented, the aperture cup includes a flange with a straight edge extending parallel to one side of the aperture. A recess in the flange 417 is shaped like a cut circle with a flat plane made to engage the aperture cup. The other flange 415 includes a raised rectangular lip 425 and the side of the lip 425 is formed to be parallel to the flat side of the recess.

Suitably, the optics holder forms a structure using a single cast portion to reduce cost and maintain high accuracy in the relative orientation of the recesses and ribs.

Advantageously, the single cast partial optics holder 411 provides parallel planes and mating fittings which eliminate the need for adjustment machines, alignment pins or reference markers. do.

With regard to the structure described above, lateral shifts, planar rotations and clocking rotation misalignments that occur between the aperture and the image plane are cast without the adjustment device. Can be avoided while having a high accuracy determined by the accuracy of the tooling for the (and the aperture cup).

RF choke in lens tube

According to the presented feature of the present invention, the optical device holder is made to have an RF choke to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). 71-74, the optics holder 431 (e.g., lens tube) has an entrance side 433 that is adapted to be mounted against an RF driven light source. Depending on the operating frequency of the light source, the narrowest opening of the lens tube may not provide sufficient cutoff of RF emissions and unwanted EMI may occur. In accordance with the presented features of the present invention, the conductive screen 435 is positioned between the optical instrument holder and the light source to improve EMI suppression.

The dimension of the screen mesh is chosen depending on the operating frequency of the light source and also to minimize nonblocking.

In a suitable embodiment presented, the RF choke comprises a metal mesh sandwiched between two flat metal rings 437a and 437b that provide good electrical contact and add firmness to the mesh. The optics holder forms a shoulder 439 made to receive the RF choke, and the mesh is made in such a way that it is recessed in the holder.

When the optics holder is installed in the light source, the RF choke is securely fixed.

Light box

Fluorescent lights are typically installed in troughs with standard dimensions of 2 feet x 2 feet or 2 feet x 4 feet. The trough is suitably made to remain suspended from the ceiling with a metal grid having similar dimensions.

The fluorescent lamp is relatively efficient but has only minimal acceptable light properties.

What is needed is a lighting fixture that can directly replace the fluorescent fixtures, which should have high light properties.

In general terms, the lamp head houses an aperture lamp that directs light output through the ball lens, all of which is described in more detail in the aforementioned '302 PCT publication. The color rendering index of the light provided by the lamp for a suitable filler (eg, indium halide) is above 90.

75 shows a perspective view of an enclosure used for the light box of the present invention. Enclosure 515 may be, for example, a standard 2 × 2 fluorescent trough available from a general lighting fixtures store. Trough 515 includes a hole 517 on one side. Light output from the lamp head 517 is directed through the hole 517.

76 shows a perspective view of a lens used in the light box of the present invention. Light from the lamp head 507 exhibits a relatively uniform distribution at a full beam angle of approximately 140 degrees. The lamp head 507 includes a ball lens that collimates the light output (eg approximately 60-70 degree full angle) more uniformly. For example, the lens 519 for the trough 515 may have a cylindrical lens that makes the axis corresponding to the light box's depth (D) narrower than EK to form an optical focus when compared to the light box's width (W). Include. Suitable cylindrical lenses are commercially available from Melles Griot, Irvine, CA with part number 01LCP127. Cylindrical lenses make the light output more parallel in only one direction (eg with respect to depth D) up to approximately 24 degrees full angel. Different light box structures benefit from other beam shaping lens configurations.

77 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a light box in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Light box 521 includes an enclosure 515 that provides an inlet 517. A light source (including for example lamp head 507) is installed to guide light through the inlet 517. The optical system (eg, ball lens and cylindrical lens 519) has a structure made to receive light from the lamp head 507 and is formed so that the light beam is more uniformly distributed inside the light box. For example, a set of brackets 523 are provided to secure the lens 519 in a fixed position.

Typically, a light diffusing cover is installed on the trough 515. If necessary or desired, various reflective and / or dispersible materials may be installed within the trough 515 to vary the light output. For example, one or both of the side of the light box with inlet 517 and the side of the light box opposite the inlet 517 may be covered with a highly reflective material such as Mylar. Also suitable is a flexible material consisting of a very well polished mirrored finish. Small (eg, 75 mm by 125 mm) patches of similar material may be installed on the floor of the trough near the inlet 517. Diffusing material may be used to specifically reduce the appearance of bright spots near the inlet 517.

The power supply and RF unit may be secured outside of the trough 515 (eg, a hidden portion of the ceiling). Alternatively, the parts may be installed in a ceiling that is reasonably close to the lamp head 507 to supply RF energy through the coaxial cable.

Advantageously, the light box described above is made for use in a standard suspended ceiling lattice work as a direct replacement of standard fluorescent fixtures. The above-described shape of the present invention can extend up to a standard 2x4 trough. If necessary or desired, lamp heads may be provided at each end of the trough. Other size light boxes are also available.

While several embodiments of optical systems in accordance with the present invention have been presented and described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that many other systems may be formed in accordance with the principles of the invention presented herein. Accordingly, the optical system described above is given by way of example and not by way of limitation. Given the benefit of the present invention, numerous other optical systems can be made suitable for utilizing the various features of the present invention. The present invention has been described in connection with what is regarded as an appropriate embodiment at this point. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments but conversely includes various modifications and equivalent apparatuses included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (36)

An envelope comprising a fill with light recycling capability; Optics spaced from an envelope configured to allow light within a desired range to pass while reflecting light outside the desired range emitted from an envelope and returning it to the envelope for recirculation by the filling an optical element; Wherein the light output within a desired range is higher than in the absence of the optical instrument, wherein the desired angular range is uniformity and angular distribution of light emitted from the envelope. lamp system, characterized in that selected according to the distribution). An envelope comprising a filler with light recirculation ability; A high temperature wire grid polarizer that is located very close to the envelope and allows light of the desired polarity to pass while reflecting the undesired polarization back into the envelope for recirculation by the filler (a high) temperature wire grid polarizer); And wherein the wire grid polarizer is adapted to withstand operating ondol of at least about 400 ° C. An envelope comprising a filler with light recirculation ability; An optical device for defining an aperture corresponding to a desired angle with respect to the envelope; A high temperature wire grid deflector positioned in close proximity to the optics in the region of the optics aperture; Wherein the optical device is spaced from the envelope and is configured to reflect light outside each desired range and return it to the envelope for recirculation by the filler, wherein the polarizer reflects unwanted polarization The light exiting the lamp system in the same manner as above is in the range of the desired acceptance angle and has a desired polarity, in which the light output And a higher value as compared with the case where the optical device and the polarizer do not exist. The method according to claim 3, Wherein said polarizer is installed within an aperture formed by said optical instrument. The method according to claim 4, Wherein the polarizer is planar and comprises a lens disposed between the polarizer and the bulb, wherein the lens is made to increase the amount of light reflected by the polarizer and returned to the envelope. A plurality of optical fibers forming an interstitial space between them; A reflective material selectively installed over the gap space; An optical apparatus comprising a. A method of making a mask on an optical device comprising a plurality of optical fibers forming an interstitial spaces between Installing a photo-active material over both the optical fibers and the interstitial space on one end of the optical device; Illuminating suitable light at the other end of the optical device to photo-activate the photo-active material; Removing any of the activated or non-activated materials to provide the desired mask; A method of making a mask over an optical device comprising a device. An envelope containing a filling capable of recirculating light; A fiber optic bundle forming a gap space therebetween and having a plurality of optical fibers and a reflective material selectively installed over the gap space; Wherein the reflective material reflects at least a portion of light that is not incident on the optical fiber and returns it to the envelope for recirculation by a charge. An envelope comprising a filler capable of re-circulating light; A reflective material encasing the envelope except for a region of a light emitting aperture; Optics aligned along light exiting the envelope and positioned in close proximity to the envelope; Wherein the optical device is configured to have a structure that transmits light within a desired angular distribution range, reflects light outside the desired angular range, and returns it to the envelope for recirculation. . An envelope containing a filler capable of re-circulating light; Optical instruments arranged along light exiting the envelope; Wherein the optics comprises a reflective structure positioned at intervals from the envelope, wherein the reflective structure defines a plurality of light emitting features, wherein the optics And the reflective structure together induces light that does not pass through the plurality of light emitting apertures to be returned to the envelope for recirculation. An envelope encased in the reflective ceramic except for the light emitting aperture region; Optics positioned very proximate to the aperture along an optical axis; Wherein the aperture region increases in the direction along the optical axis away from the bulb, and with such a structure a much greater optical approach to the bulb located relatively closer to the optics as compared to the aperture of the uniform region. lamp system, characterized in that it allows optical access. Envelopes encased in reflective ceramic except for the first aperture; Hollow optics positioned with an input end against the encased envelope; Wherein the surface of the input end in contact with the encased envelope is reflective, wherein the input end forms a second feature and the inner perimeter of the second feature is the first And a second aperture to form a light emitting aperture for the envelope, the interior of the perimeter of the aperture. Envelopes; A light rod integrally coupled with the envelope; A reflective ceramic material covering the envelope except for the region where the light bar is coupled with the envelope; And wherein the reflective ceramic material is beveled near the junction of the envelope and the light rod to avoid scattering light incident on the rod. A body portion; An optics portion integrally coupled with the body portion; And wherein the body portion and the optical portion together form a sealed interior volume. The method according to claim 14, And the optical portion comprises a truncated ball lens that forms a flat entrance face inside an enclosed interior space of the bulb. Optical portion; A positioning portion coupled with the optical portion; Wherein the positioning portion is made so as not to interfere with the operation of the optical portion and wherein the two portions are in one-piece construction of a suitable material capable of withstanding an operating temperature of at least 400 ° C. A high temperature, monolithic optical instrument characterized by being made. The method according to claim 16, And the optical portion comprises a truncated ball lens, a positioning portion flange on the entrance face of the ball lens, wherein the two portions are made of molded quartz. The method according to claim 16, The optical portion comprises a CPC, the positioning portion being a flange on an exit face of the CPC, the two portions being made of molded quartz. A plurality of truncated cone sections made up of angled steps with a straight cross section and made adjacent to a curved cross section Including optical instruments. An optical device comprising a circular input face and an output face, the output face being cut from a round shape to a relatively more square face with four sides substantially perpendicular to the output face . It includes four segments coupled to each other along each edge, where each segment corresponds to a mimor portion of the CPC and provides a relatively more square-shaped output. To maintain the curve of the CPC in order to provide the desired angular transformation. An input iris and an output iris that are aligned along the optical axis and have a structure that restricts light from passing through each desired range; An optical device positioned adjacent the output iris such that an inner light beam does not change while an edge light beam is bent inward with respect to the optical axis; Optical system comprising the. Envelopes containing recyclable filler and covered with reflective ceramic material except for the first aperture region; Form a second feature spaced from the envelope and aligned along the first axis along the optical axis, reflect light from the first feature, and light is incident outside the region of the second feature (strike) A reflector made to return light to the first aperture for recirculation; Wherein the distance from the first feature to the second feature and the size of the second feature associated with the first feature are selected according to a target etendue. An envelope containing a recyclable filler and covered by a reflective ceramic material except the aperture region; An angle selecting optical element adapted to transmit light within the desired angular range adjacent to the envelope and reflect light outside the desired angular range and return it back into the envelope for recirculation; An integrator made to receive light from the angle selector; An angletransforming optical element adapted to receive light from the integrator; Lamp system comprising a. The method of claim 24, The optical selection optics, integrator and each conversion optics are all hollow and made integral to each other. The method of claim 24, The optical selection optics, integrator and each conversion optics are made in a separate form, wherein the integrator is installed with a locator pin. The method of claim 24, Each of the selective optics, the integrator, and each of the converting optics are made in a separate form, in which the output of each selective optic component is beveled and in contact with the outer surface of the integrator ( A lamp system, characterized in that it is made to form a line. The method of claim 24, Wherein each of the selection optics, the integrator and each conversion optic is made in a separate form, wherein the output end of each optional component and the input end of the integrator are made of mating bevels. . The method of claim 24, The respective selection optics, integrator and each conversion optics are made in a separate form, wherein the output end of each selection optics component is mechanically interfaced with the integrator and at the same time an angle transformation. Lamp system, characterized in that it is made to have a curved surface in the form of a small CPC. A polarizer cube designed to receive light over an input face, transmit a light of a first polarity through the first output face and reflect a second polarization through the second output face. ); A polarization positioned adjacent to the second output face to change the second polarization into light having the same polarization as the first polarization; A mirror for guiding light from the polarization rotator to travel in the same direction as the light transmitted through the first output face; An optical apparatus comprising the same. A lens tube adapted to receive and secure the lens therein; First forming a structural feature connected to the input of the lens tube and adapted to combine with a corresponding feature over an aperture lamp to provide optical alignment along the optical axis flange; A structure connected to an output end of the lens tube and configured to combine corresponding features on an enclosure, whereby an aperture lamp provides light into the enclosure. A second flange, characterized in that it is retained in a suitable alignment; An optics tube comprising the same. RF driven light source; A lens tube installed in the RF driving light source; An RF choke positioned between the lens tube and the light source and adapted to reduce EMI from the light source; Lamp system comprising a. The method according to claim 32, The RF choke comprises a conductive mesh screen. An enclosure having a length, a width and a depth, wherein the depth is much smaller than either length or width; An aperture lamp installed to guide light into the enclosure; A lens system adapted to receive light from an aperture lamp and shape the light output to be more evenly distributed within the enclosure; Lamp system comprising a. The method of claim 34, wherein The enclosure includes a standard 2x2 or 2x4 trough and the lens system is installed to reduce the angular extent for one dimension with respect to depth. Lamp system comprising a. An electrodeless light source; An image gate illuminated by the electrodeless light source; A shutter that is selectively opened and closed to project an image from the image gate; And the electrodeless light source is adjusted according to opening and closing of the shutter.