# US 9,753,210 B2 · Optical waveguide body

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- Number: US 9,753,210 B2
- Document ID: US9753210B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/453,297
- Filed: 2017-03-08
- Published: 2017-06-22
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15
- Assignees: Cree, Inc.
- Applicants: Cree, Inc.
- Inventors: John W. Durkee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9753210B2

## CPC

- G02B 6/0038: {Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide}
- G02B 6/0028: {Light guide, e.g. taper}
- G02B 6/0046: {Tapered light guide, e.g. wedge-shaped light guide}
- G02B 6/0055: {Reflecting element, sheet or layer}
- G02B 6/0065: {Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An optical waveguide body includes a first layer of optically transmissive material and a second layer of optically transmissive material in contact with the first layer. At least one of the first and second layers is tapered and the first layer has a first index of refraction and the second layer has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction and the first and second indices of refraction are both greater than about 1.0.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An optical waveguide body, comprising:
a first layer of optically transmissive material comprising a thickness defined by a first side and second side;
a second layer of optically transmissive material defined by a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein a first ridge of the second side extends into the second layer and a second ridge of the third side extends into the first layer;
wherein the second layer comprises a plurality of further ridges and grooves disposed on the fourth side thereof;
wherein the first side and fourth side are tapered toward one another;
wherein the first layer has a first index of refraction and the second layer has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction and wherein the first and second indices of refraction are both greater than about 1.0.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The optical waveguide body of claim 1, wherein the second layer is discontinuous.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The optical waveguide of claim 2, wherein the second layer comprises linear facets.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The optical waveguide of claim 2, wherein the second layer comprises discrete facets.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The optical waveguide of claim 1, wherein the second layer is continuous and extends fully over the first layer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The optical waveguide body of claim 1, in combination with a light emitting diode (LED) that develops light which is transmitted into the waveguide body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The optical waveguide body of claim 1, further including a reflective layer disposed on a surface of the first layer opposite the second layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The optical waveguide body of claim 1, wherein an interface between the first and second layers is non-planar.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The optical waveguide body of claim 1, wherein the first layer has an index of refraction that varies over the extent thereof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The optical waveguide body of claim 1, wherein the first and second indices of refraction are greater than about 1.0 to about 1.5.

### Claim 11

An optical waveguide body, comprising:
a first layer of optically transmissive material comprising a thickness defined by a first side and second side;
a second layer of optically transmissive material defined by a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein a first ridge of the second side extends into the second layer and a second ridge of the third side extends into the first layer, wherein the second ridge is different in shape from the first ridge;
wherein the second layer comprises a plurality of further ridges and grooves disposed on the fourth side thereof;
wherein the first side and fourth side are tapered toward one another;
wherein the first layer has a first index of refraction and the second layer has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction and wherein the first and second indices of refraction are both greater than about 1.0.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The optical waveguide body of claim 11, wherein the second layer is discontinuous.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The optical waveguide body of claim 12, wherein the second layer comprises linear facets.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The optical waveguide body of claim 12, wherein the second layer comprises discrete facets.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The optical waveguide body of claim 11, wherein the second layer is continuous and extends fully over the first layer.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The optical waveguide body of claim 11, in combination with a light emitting diode (LED) that develops light which is transmitted into the waveguide body.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The optical waveguide body of claim 11, wherein the fourth side comprises a plurality of ridges and grooves.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The optical waveguide body of claim 11, further comprising a reflective layer disposed on the first side of the first layer opposite the second layer.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The optical waveguide body of claim 11, wherein an interface between the first and second layers is non-planar.

### Claim 20 (depends on 11)

The optical waveguide body of claim 11, wherein the first layer has an index of refraction that varies over the extent thereof.