Illumination Apparatus with High Conversion Efficiency and Methods of Forming the Same
First Claim
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1. An illumination apparatus comprising:
- a substantially planar waveguide having (i) a discrete in-coupling region for receiving light and (ii) a discrete out-coupling region for emitting light, the out-coupling region comprising at least a portion of at least one surface of the waveguide substantially perpendicular to a direction of light propagation in the waveguide;
at least one light source for emitting light into the in-coupling region;
a layer of photoluminescent material, disposed over the out-coupling region, for converting a portion of light emitted from the out-coupling region to a different wavelength; and
an optically active layer, disposed between the out-coupling region and the layer of photoluminescent material, for separating light interacting with the photoluminescent material from light propagating within the waveguide,wherein light emitted by the light source mixes with light converted by the photoluminescent material to form substantially white output light.
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Abstract
In various embodiments, an illumination apparatus includes a substantially planar waveguide or a light box, at least one light source emitting light therein, a layer of photoluminescent material for converting a portion of the light to a different wavelength, a reflector for reflecting light back-scattered from the photoluminescent material, and an optically active layer for separating light interacting with the photoluminescent material from light propagating within the waveguide or light box.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. An illumination apparatus comprising:
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a substantially planar waveguide having (i) a discrete in-coupling region for receiving light and (ii) a discrete out-coupling region for emitting light, the out-coupling region comprising at least a portion of at least one surface of the waveguide substantially perpendicular to a direction of light propagation in the waveguide; at least one light source for emitting light into the in-coupling region; a layer of photoluminescent material, disposed over the out-coupling region, for converting a portion of light emitted from the out-coupling region to a different wavelength; and an optically active layer, disposed between the out-coupling region and the layer of photoluminescent material, for separating light interacting with the photoluminescent material from light propagating within the waveguide, wherein light emitted by the light source mixes with light converted by the photoluminescent material to form substantially white output light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 12, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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3-11. -11. (canceled)
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13-16. -16. (canceled)
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19-20. -20. (canceled)
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24. (canceled)
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26-27. -27. (canceled)
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33-35. -35. (canceled)
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36. An illumination apparatus comprising:
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a light box having (i) a substantially hollow interior and (ii) an opening in a top surface of the light box; at least one light source disposed within and emitting light into the light box; a layer of photoluminescent material, disposed over the opening, for converting a portion of light emitted from the opening in a top surface of the light box to a different wavelength; a reflector, disposed proximate a bottom surface of the light box, for reflecting light back-scattering from the layer of photoluminescent material back through the opening; and an optically active layer, disposed between the opening and the layer of photoluminescent material, for separating light interacting with the photoluminescent material from light propagating within the light box, wherein light emitted by the light source mixes with light converted by the photoluminescent material to form substantially white output light. - View Dependent Claims (48, 51, 52, 53)
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37-47. -47. (canceled)
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49-50. -50. (canceled)
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54-56. -56. (canceled)
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57. A method of illumination with high conversion efficiency, the method comprising:
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emitting light into a waveguide; propagating the emitted light such that it spreads substantially uniformly through a volume of the waveguide; extracting a portion of the light from the waveguide; separating the extracted light from light continuing to propagate in the waveguide; converting a portion of the extracted light into light of a different wavelength; recycling at least a portion of light emitted or reflected back into the waveguide during the converting step such that it is extracted from the waveguide; and combining the converted light with unconverted light emitted from the waveguide to form substantially white light.
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Specification