Compact optical system with turn and color mixing

An optical assembly adapted to efficiently propagate light from an associated light source to an associated end use with improved color mixing comprising:

• a bend region having a radius “R” including a light fiber having a radius “r”;
• a first angle-to-area converter operatively disposed to transmit light to the bend region and increase the angular distribution of light through the light fiber;
• and
• a second angle-to-area converter operatively disposed to receive light from the bend region and decrease the angular distribution of light,
• wherein the bend region reduces the distortion of the distribution of light propagated from the associated light source to the associated end use.

An optical assembly comprising:

• a light source;
• a light conductor of a first cross-sectional area having a first end receiving light from the light source and transmitting light to a second end;
• a first non-imaging optical component operatively associated with the light conductor second end to receive light therefrom, the first non-imaging optical component having a first cross-sectional area at a first end greater than a smaller, second cross-sectional area at a second end whereby the angular distribution of light is increased as the light passes therethrough;
• a tight bend region having a light fiber with a first end receiving light from the second end of the first non-imaging optical component and propagating light to a second end;
• and
• a second non-imaging optical component having a first cross-sectional area at a first end and receiving light from the second end of the tight bend region and a second cross-sectional area at a second end whereby the angular distribution of light is decreased as the light passes therethrough,
• wherein the bend region reduces the distortion of the distribution of light propagated from the light source to the second end of the light conductor.