Light source for backlighting

A method of backlighting a display panel, comprising:

• producing illumination from a substantially lambertian light source comprising a cavity with internal side walls, an internal bottom wall, and an aperture, said step of producing illumination comprising the step of directing light rays emitted by plural light sources mounted on said internal bottom wall and around the perimeter of the aperture into the cavity such that the light exiting the aperture is substantially uniform in intensity and color;
• using a diffuser to diffuse light from said substantially lambertian light source;
• using a brightness enhancing film to concentrate the diffused light into a predetermined angular range without significantly reducing the uniformity of the diffused light;
• and
• directing the concentrated, diffused light onto said display panel.

A method of manufacturing a backlight for a flat panel display comprising:

• mounting plural solid state light emitters in a diffusely reflecting cavity;
• arranging the light emitters in a predetermined pattern on a bottom surface of the cavity;
• exposing multiple facets of said light emitters to said cavity such that said light emitters emit light in multiple directions within the cavity;
• shielding the light emitters so that substantially all light emitted by said light emitters is reflected at least once before exiting said cavity;
• positioning a diffuser and a brightness enhancing film across a mouth of said cavity.