Lower index-gap corrective wedge prism
AssigneeLumenFlow Corp.
InventorHarold W. Brunt, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical system providing improved control over light reflectivity is provided. The optical system includes an index-gap wedge prism to collect light escaping through the internal reflective surface of an optical element for recombination with light reflected by the internal reflective surface of the optical element. The index-gap wedge prism collects and redirects the escaped light back into the primary reflected path of the optical element to provide an aligned and correlated light across a range of applications, including applications where optical coatings on key surfaces may not be feasible.
Claims20
An optical system for use with a light emitting element comprising:
- an optical element including a light receiving surface and including a total internal reflection (TIR) surface;
- and
- a first wedge prism adjacent the optical element and including a refractive surface that is inclined at a non-zero angle relative to the light receiving surface and the TIR surface of the optical element;
- wherein the optical element and the first wedge prism are fixed in relation to each other and define an index-gap between the TIR surface of the optical element and the refractive surface of the first wedge prism, such that the first wedge prism is adapted to internally redirect light passing through the TIR surface of the optical element for recombination with light reflected by the TIR surface of the optical element.
An optical emitter comprising:
- a light emitting element to provide a light output along a propagation axis;
- an optical element positioned to receive the light output from the light emitting element, the optical element including a light receiving surface, a total internal reflection (TIR) surface, and a light emitting surface;
- and
- a wedge prism including a first refractive surface, a second refractive surface angled relative to the first refractive surface, and a lower intermediate surface therebetween, the first refractive surface being inclined relative to the light receiving surface and the TIR surface of the optical element;
- wherein the optical element and the wedge prism are fixed in relation to each other and define an index-gap between the TIR surface of the optical element and first the refractive surface of the wedge prism, such that at least a portion of the light output from the light emitting element propagates through the TIR surface of the optical element and is internally redirected by the wedge prism through the lower intermediate surface of the wedge prism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.