Stepped light collection and concentration system, components thereof, and methods

A light guide apparatus, comprising:

• a light guide having a top surface and a bottom surface, characterized by an index of refraction, n1, and a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms a primary aperture for light traveling into and out of the light guide, further characterized by a length dimension in an intended light propagation direction towards or away from the primary aperture;
• and
• a first plurality of light injection elements disposed in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces and extending inwardly therefrom at an angle to the surface, wherein the light injection elements are stepped (staggered) in a z-axis-light propagation direction in a respective first plane along lines parallel to the side-end surface.

A light guide apparatus, comprising:

• a light guide having a top surface and a bottom surface, characterized by an index of refraction, n1, and a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms a primary aperture for light traveling into and out of the light guide, further characterized by a length dimension in an intended light propagation direction towards or away from the primary aperture;
• and
• a first plurality of light injection elements disposed in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces and extending inwardly therefrom at an angle to the surface, wherein the light injection elements are clocked (tilted) about a y-axis in a z-axis-light propagation direction in a respective first plane, wherein the light injection elements are disposed along parallel lines normal to the side-end surface.