Monolithic illumination device

A monolithic light engine comprising:

• a heat sink;
• a semiconductor light source including a light-emitting top surface and a back surface thermally coupled to the heat sink;
• a wavelength converter for converting a first wavelength range emitted from the light-emitting surface to a second wavelength range;
• and
• a light conduit including a light receiving end disposed proximate to the wavelength converter;
• the heat sink, the semiconductor light source, the wavelength converter, and the light conduit being mechanically, rigidly coupled so as to form a monolithic light engine.

A monolithic light engine comprising:

• a heat sink;
• a plurality of semiconductor light sources, each source including a substantially planar light-emitting top surface and a back surface thermally coupled to the heat sink;
• a light conduit including a light receiving end disposed proximate to the substantially planar light-emitting top surface of each of the plurality of semiconductor light sources;
• and
• one or more mechanical connectors to rigidly couple the heat sink, the plurality of semiconductor light sources, and the light conduit together to form the monolithic light engine.

A method of manufacturing an illumination device, the method comprising:

• providing a semiconductor device including a substantially planar light-emitting surface;
• providing a light conduit including a light receiving end and a light transmitting end;
• positioning a wavelength converter between the light receiving end of the light conduit and the substantially planar light-emitting surface;
• aligning the light receiving end of the light conduit to the substantially planar light-emitting surface;
• and
• securing the light conduit to the semiconductor device to form a rigid connection.