Luminaire

A luminaire suitable for accommodating a light source which light source lies substantially in a first plane, said luminaire comprising an optical element which lies substantially in a second plane, said optical element is provided, on at least one side, with facets, the facets being formed mainly by parallel prisms, said facets being arranged in a matrix configuration such that the facets of each respective row of said matrix enclose a fixed angle, α1-αN, lying in a third plane perpendicular to said second plane, said facets of each of said respective rows further enclosing an angle β, which changes progressively along each of said respective rows from facet to facet, said angle B lying in a fourth plane perpendicular to said second and third planes, and wherein said facet matrix forms an overall surface which is alternately concave and convex in shape.

An optical element for use with a light source which light source lying substantially in a first plane, the optical element comprising a light transmitting material formed to lie substantially in a second plane, said optical element having two sides and being provided at one side or both sides with facets having different inclination angles, the facets being formed mainly by parallel prisms, said facets being arranged in a matrix configuration such that the facets of each respective row of said matrix enclose a fixed angle, α1-αN, lying in a third plane perpendicular to said second plane, said facets of each of said respective rows further enclosing an angle β, which changes progressively along each of said respective rows from facet to facet, said angle B lying in a fourth plane perpendicular to said second and third plane, and wherein said facet matrix forms an overall surface which is alternately concave and convex in shape.