Color correcting collimation of light from a color over position light source

A method for collimating light from a color over position light source, the method comprising:

• providing a collimator including:
• a focal point;
• an optical axis containing the focal point;
• an imaging element arranged around or on the optical axis, wherein the imaging element is configured to form at least one image of the light source;
• and
• several light spreading elements having a first set of light spreading elements and a second set of light spreading elements, the first set of light spreading elements being located further from the optical axis and the light source than the second set of light spreading elements, arranged around the optical axis to receive said least one image from the imaging element,
• wherein the imaging element is configured to focus a first image on the first set of light spreading elements and focus a second image on the second set of light spreading elements, the first image being formed by light emitted from the light source at an angle smaller than θ1 respect to the optical axis, and the second image being formed by light emitted at an angle larger than θ1,
• wherein the light spreading elements have different light beam widening characteristics, the light beam widening characteristics of each light spreading element of said light spreading elements depending on the position of the light spreading element relative to the focal point, and
• wherein the light spreading elements are adapted to spread light striking the first set light spreading elements and the second set of light spreading elements in a first plane including the optical axis in such a way that the beam widening characteristics enable the first image and the second image to be spread over a substantially equal angle θ1;
• arranging the light source on the focal point of the collimator;
• and
• operating the light source,
• whereby the light spreading elements receive said at least one image of the light source from the imaging element, and whereby light striking the light spreading elements is spread in a first plane including the optical axis.

A lighting device, comprising a collimator for a color over position light source, the collimator comprising:

• a focal point;
• an optical axis containing the focal point;
• an imaging element arranged around or on the optical axis, wherein the imaging element is configured to focus a first image of the light source onto a first set of light spreading elements and focus a second image of the light source onto a second set of light spreading elements, wherein the first set of light spreading elements and the second set of light spreading elements are arranged around the optical axis and receive said light at a first angle and said light at a second angle from the imaging element,
• wherein the light spreading elements have different light beam widening characteristics, the light beam widening characteristics of each light spreading element of said light spreading elements depending on the position of the light spreading element relative to the focal point,
• wherein the lighting device further comprises the color over position light source arranged on the focal point of the collimator so that light from the light source is received by the collimator.