Optical manifold for light-emitting diodes

A multiwavelength light source comprising:

• a plurality of LEDs that emit light at and about a dominant wavelength;
• a plurality of noiiimaging input collimators comprising a dielectric material, each input collimator connected respectively to one of said plurality of LEDs;
• a nonimaging output concentrator comprising a dielectric material, said output concentrator coupled to collectively receive the light output from each of said input collimators on one end, said output concentrator having an exit port on the opposite end;
• a shortpass filter at the interface between the input collimators and the output concentrator, said sbortpass filter transmitting light below a prescribed wavelength and reflecting light above a prescribed wavelength;
• and
• a phosphor patch formed on said exit port, said phosphor having a composition that luminesces in response to excitation from light generated by said LEDs, said phosphor patch also being partially transinissive to light from said LEDs.

An optical manifold for distributing light, comprising:

• a transparent body defining on outer surface, at least one entry port, and at least one exit port, said transparent body comprising a material suitable for propagating light, said material having an index of refraction suitable for providing total internal reflection at the surface of said body;
• said outer surface comprising optically active surfaces angled for total internal reflection of light issuing into and out of said entry and exit ports;
• said entry and exit ports operable for light-transmittance at substantially all incidence angles up to the critical angle of said material;
• said entry and exit ports comprising a plurality of small ports acting in parallel and one large port optically connected to said plurality of small ports;
• said optically active surfaces operable as connecting surfaces between said plurality of ports and
• said single port;
• said connecting surfaces operable for conveying light by total internal reflection at all incidence angles past the critical angle of said transparent material;
• and
• said connecting surfaces comprising nonimaging configurations that spatially mix said light.

An N:1 optical manifold, where N is an integer having a value of two or greater, comprising:

• N LEDs tat generate light said LEDs arranged in an approximately coplanar configuration;
• N coplanar input ports optically coupled, respectively to said N LEDs;
• N angle rotators connected respectively to said input ports;
• an output manifold coupled to said angle rotators to receive the collective light propagated from said LEDs and through said angle rotators;
• an exit port on said output manifold, said angle rotators arranged with respect to said output port to direct light approximately toward said output port;
• and
• a plurality of slits, each slit formed proximate to its respective angle rotator to provide total internal reflection at the intersection between said LEDs and said angle rotators and direct the ligbt output from the angle rotators toward the exit port.

A triplex optical manifold for collecting and emitting light from a first, second, and third LED comprising:

• a first luminance shifter having an input port connected to the first LED and an exit aperture on its opposite end;
• a second luminance shifter having an input port connected to the second LED, and an exit aperture on its opposite end;
• a luminance duct arranged between said first and second luminance shifters, said luminance duct having an input port connected to the third LED, said luminance duct having a configuration selected to output light from its exit aperture with an exit angle approximately equal to the light from the exit apertures of said first and second Luminance shifters;
• an output manifold coupled to receive the light output from said luminance shifters and said luminance duct;
• said first and second luminance shifters and said luminance duct arranged in a converting, non-parallel configuration, and so that their exit apertures converge to said output manifold;
• and
• an output port on said output manifold.