Surface illuminator having a line emitter and configured to disinfect a surface

An illuminator for disinfecting a surface defining a first plane, comprising:

• a line emitter configured to emit light in a continuous line, the line emitter comprising a light diffusing rod structured to scatter light along its length, the light diffusing rod comprising at least one of:
• (i) a scattering layer, (ii) scattering particles, or (iii) voids;
• a curved reflector surface optically coupled to the line emitter;
• and
• an exit aperture defining a second plane transverse to the first plane;
• wherein the line emitter is positioned between the reflector surface and the exit aperture;
• wherein the light diffusing rod is optically coupled to at least one light source and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension D between 0.5 mm and 20 mm;
• wherein the line emitter is structured to provide the light to at least a portion of the surface, and the light has a peak wavelength in a range of 100 nm to 400 nm;
• wherein the curved reflector surface is configured to redirect the light from the line emitter towards the surface;
• wherein the light diffusing rod is at least partially enclosed in a jacket and wherein the jacket comprises a reflective internal surface;
• wherein the jacket is a trough comprising two side walls joined by a third wall at a first end and wherein the two sidewalls define an opening at a second end opposite to the first end;
• and
• wherein the opening is oriented to direct light across the exit aperture after reflecting off the curved reflector surface.

An illuminator for disinfecting a surface defining a first plane, comprising:

• a line emitter configured to emit light in a continuous line, the line emitter comprising a light diffusing rod structured to scatter light along its length, the light diffusing rod comprising at least one of:
• (i) a scattering layer, (ii) scattering particles, or (iii) voids;
• a reflector surface optically coupled to the line emitter;
• an exit aperture defining a second plane transverse to the first plane;
• and
• a window disposed in the exit aperture;
• wherein the line emitter is positioned between the reflector surface and the exit aperture;
• wherein the window comprises a material that transmits at least 70% of light in the range of 100 nm to 400 nm through a thickness of the window;
• wherein the light diffusing rod is optically coupled to at least one light source and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension D between 0.5 mm to 20 mm;
• wherein the line emitter is structured to provide the light to at least a portion of the surface, and the light has a peak wavelength in a range of 100 nm to 400 nm;
• wherein the reflector surface is configured to redirect the light from the line emitter towards the surface;
• and
• wherein the illuminator further comprises a neutral density filter disposed over a portion of the window.

A surface illuminator configured to disinfect a surface having a first surface area, the surface illuminator comprising:

• a line emitter optically coupled to at least one light source, said line emitter comprising a light diffusing rod structured to scatter light along its length and the said line emitter being configured to emit the scattered light in a continuous line along at least a portion of a surface of the light diffusing rod, the light having a peak wavelength in a range of 100 nm to 400 nm, wherein the light diffusing rod comprises a material comprising at least one of:
• (i) a scattering layer;
• (ii) scattering particles;
• or (iii) voids;
• a curved reflector surface;
• and
• an exit aperture arranged transverse to a first plane defined by the surface;
• wherein the curved reflector surface is configured to redirect the light from the line emitter through the exit aperture over at least 90% of the first surface area;
• and
• wherein the light diffusing rod is at least partially enclosed in a jacket and wherein the jacket comprises a reflective internal surface configured to direct light at the curved reflector surface.

A method for decontaminating a surface having a first surface area, the method comprising:

• emitting light having a wavelength of 100 nm to 400 nm from a line emitter, the line emitter comprising a light diffusing rod structured to scatter light along its length and the line emitter being configured to emit the scattered light in a continuous line along at least a portion of a surface of the light diffusing rod, wherein the light diffusing rod comprises a material comprising at least one of:
• (i) a scattering layer;
• (ii) scattering particles;
• or (iii) voids;
• directing scattered light toward a curved reflector surface using a reflective internal surface of a jacket that at least partially encloses the light diffusing rod;
• and
• reflecting the light from the curved reflector surface through an exit aperture and onto the surface, wherein the light irradiates at least 90% of the first surface area at a power density sufficient to disinfect the first surface area.