Integrating Projection Optic

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a uniform projection of light. More specifically, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a uniform projection of light using an integrating sphere and a compound parabolic reflector.

The uniform projection of light has traditionally been performed using the combination of a costly refractive lens and a parabolic concentrator. The concentrator is used to collect the light from a single lamp and direct it through a refractive lens system. The resulting distribution of light is governed by the geometry of the lamp element and the propagation of the light through the refractive optics. This method yields a light distribution with significant fluctuations in light intensity throughout the target plane. Enhancements such as refractive integrating and diffusing devices improve the output uniformity but reduce the overall efficiency of the system. Additionally, the spectral content of the light at the target plane and the total optical power projected are restricted since the optics are designed to use only a single lamp.

It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome these and other drawbacks of the prior art.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for projecting a uniform distribution of light.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for projecting a uniform distribution of light using a plurality of light sources as inputs.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for projecting a uniform projection of light which selectively combines the light from a plurality of light sources to control characteristics (e.g., color) of the uniformly distributed light.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a uniform projection of light with a portable projector that is remote from the one or more light sources that feed that projector.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, these and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a projection device that includes both a diffusive optic and a non-imaging optic. A diffusive optic, such as an integrating sphere, is used to mix or diffuse the output of one or more light sources. An exit port of the diffusive optic behaves as an extended light source for the non-imaging optic. The output from the diffusive optic fills the non-imaging optic, such as a compound parabolic concentrator, resulting in a uniform projection of the source light. The divergence of the light exiting the non-imaging optic can be determined from the collection angle of the non-imaging optic.

According to other aspects of the invention, the input to the projector can be one or more light sources or one or more fiber optics, the other end of the fiber optic(s) being fed by one or more light sources. In either case, the one or more light sources can have different characteristics (e.g., color, intensity, etc.) and can be selectively combined to control characteristics of the uniformly distributed output beam.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of an integrating projection optic according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a compound parabolic concentrator.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of another embodiment of an integrating projection optic according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of another embodiment of present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an integrating projection optic 100 consists of a light source 110, a diffusive optic 120, and a non-imaging optic 130. The light source 110 may be, but is not limited to, a LED, a Xenon arc, Quartz Halogen filament, or a laser. The light beam 115 generated by the light source is directed to an input aperture 121 of the diffusive optic 120. Diffusive optic 120 uniformly disperses the light beam from the light source. Light exits diffusive optic 120 at exit aperture 122. This exiting light continues to disperse as it leaves diffusive optic 120.

Diffusive optic 120 may be an integrating sphere. The inner surface of the integrating sphere has a coating of a material with a Lambertian quality; that is, the surface has the directional characteristic of distributing the reflected light uniformly over the entire sphere's inner surface. Thus, once a light beam enters the sphere through its input aperture, the light beam is evenly distributed over the entire inner sphere surface, including the exit aperture.

The light flux passing through the exit aperture 122 preferably immediately enters the non-imaging optic 130 through its opening 131 and then exits through exit 132. Non-imaging optic 130 may be a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC). Referring to FIG. 2, the CPC 200 is a cone-shaped object, and consists of a large opening, referred to as the mouth 210 and having a radius r.sub.m, a smaller opening, referred to as the throat 220 and having a radius r.sub.t, and a specified length L. The ratio of r.sub.m to r.sub.t defines the collection angle, .theta..sub.max of the CPC. The parameters r.sub.m, r.sub.t, L, and .theta..sub.max are related by the equations:

and

Therefore, the CPC can be designed to achieve a desired collection angle from equations (1) and (2). A smaller collection angle will result in a smaller divergence of light once the light leaves the CPC.

In operation, Lambertian light flux, such as the output of diffusive optic 120, fills the throat 220 of the CPC. The CPC acts as an angle limiter, preventing light passing herethrought from diverging with an angle greater than .theta..sub.max. Referring again to FIG. 1, CPC 130 collects most or all of the Lambertian light flux from the output of diffusive optic 120. The reflective inner surface and geometry of CPC 130 converts the collected flux to a uniform field of light 140. The field of light 140 has a maximum divergence angle of .theta..sub.max which is projected onto target 150.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is preferable that a plurality of light sources serve as inputs to the integrating sphere. One of the properties of an integrating sphere is its ability to mix the light from several sources into a uniform output. Referring to FIG. 3, multiple light sources 310.sub.1, 310.sub.2 . . . 310.sub.n provide multiple light beams 315.sub.1, 315.sub.2 . . . 315.sub.n which are directed into the input aperture 321 of integrating sphere 320. Input aperture 321 may comprise multiple input ports. The multiple light beams 315.sub.1, 315.sub.2 . . . 315.sub.n are then uniformly distributed over the sphere's inner surface in accordance with Lambert's Law. The output of the integrating sphere from exit aperture 322 is a Lambertian light flux which is polychromatic in proportion to the intensity of the light from each of light sources 310.sub.1, 310.sub.2 . . . 310.sub.n, and, as discussed earlier, diverges uniformly from the non-imaging optic 330 at an pre-designed angle, .theta..sub.max. The reflective inner surface and geometry of CPC 330 converts the collected flux to a uniform field of light 340. The field of light 340 has a maximum divergence angle of .theta..sub.max which is projected onto target 350. This characteristic makes this device very attractive for stage lighting, as one single device with multiple light sources can provide a plurality of colors. In addition, by varying the intensity of each light source, smooth transitions between colors can be achieved. Light source 310.sub.1 -310.sub.n intensity adjustment may be accomplished in any known manner as represented by intensity adjuster 360.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the light beams from light sources 410.sub.1, 410.sub.2, . . . 410.sub.n are provided to the diffusive optic 420 through a light guide such as fiber optic 415.sub.1, 415.sub.2, . . . 415.sub.n. The light travels along the light guide or transparent materials which terminate at the input aperture of the diffusive optic. The reflective inner surface and geometry of CPC 430 converts the collected flux to a uniform field of light 440. The field of light 440 has a maximum divergence angle of .theta..sub.max which is projected onto target 450.

There are several advantages to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. First, the use of a transparent material to transmit light allows the input aperture size of the diffusive optic to be reduced, which increases the efficiency of the system. Second, the use of light guides promotes greater versatility. Large, remotely located light sources can be used while keeping the projection optics small, lightweight, and easily positioned

Referring to FIG. 5, in another embodiment of this invention, the projection device 500 is portable. The device 500 is equipped with a long light guide 510 for projecting the light of light source 520. This allows the user to use the device as a flashlight. In another embodiment of the invention, the light source is portable, possibly carried in a backpack. This allows for the power of the larger light source to be concentrated in a uniform beam.

There are many potential applications for uniform light projectors, such as uniform solar simulators used in exposure testing of electrical devices, a new projection optic for both high and low power illuminators such as flashlights and searchlights, combining multicolor lamps, delivery of uniform UV light for photo-polymerization applications, stage lighting, large-area IR illumination for unobtrusive searches from aircraft, ships, or terrestrial platforms in support of law enforcement, and area array calibration sources for terrestrial, airborne, or spaceborne platforms.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the intended scope as defined by the appended claims.