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US 5,629,801 AGranted
Diffraction grating light doubling collection system
AssigneeSilicon Light Machines Corporation
InventorsBryan P. Staker, David M. Bloom, Bryan E. Loucks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reflective/diffractive light valve system collects light from multiple dimensions around a single light source. From these multiple collection dimensions, the light is directed to impinge on the valve from multiple directions. When the valve is configured to be reflective, the light returns to the source. On the other hand, when the valve is configured to be diffractive, light from a first and third order diffraction are transmitted from the valve for each of the collection dimensions which greatly enhances the efficiency of the system.
Claims8
An optical system comprising:
- a. a light source for generating light;
- b. a light valve for receiving light from the light source, wherein the light valve is selectably configurable to operate in each of a reflecting mode and a diffracting mode;
- c. means for collecting a first portion of the light in a first collection path;
- d. means for directing the first portion of the light to the light valve via the first collection path;
- e. means for collecting a second portion of the light in a second collection path;
- and
- f. means for directing the second portion of the light to the light valve via the second collection path,
- wherein the first portion of the light returns to the light source via the second path and the second portion of the light returns to the light source via the first path in the reflecting mode, and wherein first order diffractions of the first portion and the second portion of the light exit the system in the diffracting mode.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.