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US 8,297,786 B2Granted
Slim waveguide coupling apparatus and method
AssigneeOree, Inc.
InventorsYosi Shani, Tania Kosburd, Dafna B. Arbiv
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In various embodiments, an illumination structure includes a discrete light source disposed proximate a bottom surface of a waveguide and below a depression in a top surface thereof. A top mirror may be disposed above the discrete light source to convert modes of light emitted from the discrete light source into trapped modes, thereby increasing the coupling efficiency of the illumination structure.
Claims19
An illumination structure comprising:
- a waveguide having a depression in a top surface thereof;
- a discrete light source disposed proximate a bottom surface of the waveguide and below the depression;
- and
- a top mirror disposed above the discrete light source, the top mirror comprising a conical mirror disposed over and at least substantially filling the depression.
1 more element
A method for coupling light emitted from a discrete light source to a waveguide, the method comprising:
- emitting light from a discrete light source disposed within a waveguide;
- and
- reflecting a portion of the emitted light from a top mirror disposed above a depression in a top surface of the waveguide, the depression being disposed above the discrete light source, so as to confine the reflected portion of the emitted light within the waveguide,
- wherein the top mirror comprises a conical mirror substantially filling the depression, and the portion of the emitted light traverses an air gap between the depression and the top mirror before being reflected.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.