Optical waveguides – Miscellaneous
Patent
1995-08-23
1997-05-20
Healy, Brian
Optical waveguides
Miscellaneous
385 31, 385 36, 385 37, 385131, 385123, 362 32, G02B 600, F21V 704
Patent
active
056319940
ABSTRACT:
A light extraction overlay for extracting light from a desired location on a light guide includes a substantially optically transparent substrate which has a base surface and a structured surface opposite the base surface. The structured surface includes optical elements which have optically smooth surfaces disposed at an angle relative to the base surface. Preferably, the optical elements are coated with a specularly reflective material. The optical elements may be separated by substantially planar portions of the structured surface.
In use, the base surface is optically coupled with a portion of a surface of a light guide such that light may be transmitted from the optical fiber into the substrate. Light rays which strike a planar portion of the structured surface are reflected back into the fiber at an angle which is greater than the critical angle necessary for continued propagation in the light guide and, accordingly, continue to propagate along the optical fiber. Light rays which strike an optical element are reflected into the fiber at an angle less than the critical angle angle necessary for continued propagation in the light guide and, accordingly, are transmitted from the surface of the light guide.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4052120 (1977-10-01), Sick et al.
patent: 4059916 (1977-11-01), Tachiborn
patent: 4171844 (1979-10-01), Landaal et al.
patent: 4173390 (1979-11-01), Kach
patent: 4234907 (1980-11-01), Daniel
patent: 4242723 (1980-12-01), Fabbri et al.
patent: 4285889 (1981-08-01), Parsons
patent: 4307932 (1981-12-01), Winzer
patent: 4422719 (1983-12-01), Orcutt
patent: 4447118 (1984-05-01), Mulkey
patent: 4460940 (1984-07-01), Mori
patent: 4466697 (1984-08-01), Daniel
patent: 4471412 (1984-09-01), Mori
patent: 4519017 (1985-05-01), Daniel
patent: 4575180 (1986-03-01), Chang
patent: 4576436 (1986-03-01), Daniel
patent: 4583818 (1986-04-01), Chen et al.
patent: 4642736 (1987-02-01), Masuzawa et al.
patent: 4648690 (1987-03-01), Ohe
patent: 4690490 (1987-09-01), Mori
patent: 4691982 (1987-09-01), Nishimura et al.
patent: 4729068 (1988-03-01), Ohe
patent: 4743410 (1988-05-01), Grethen et al.
patent: 4765701 (1988-08-01), Cheslak
patent: 4822123 (1989-04-01), Mori
patent: 4845596 (1989-07-01), Mouissie
patent: 4865417 (1989-09-01), Naohiro et al.
patent: 4885663 (1989-12-01), Parker
patent: 4907132 (1990-03-01), Parker
patent: 4929169 (1990-05-01), Fujigaki et al.
patent: 4989933 (1991-02-01), Duguay et al.
patent: 5005931 (1991-04-01), Mori
patent: 5009020 (1991-04-01), Watanabe
patent: 5027259 (1991-06-01), Chujko
patent: 5037172 (1991-08-01), Hekman et al.
patent: 5050946 (1991-09-01), Hathaway et al.
patent: 5187765 (1993-02-01), Muehlemann et al.
patent: 5226105 (1993-07-01), Myers
patent: 5247390 (1993-09-01), Hed
patent: 5295208 (1994-03-01), Caulfield et al.
patent: 5298327 (1994-03-01), Zarian et al.
patent: 5303322 (1994-04-01), Winston et al.
patent: 5359691 (1994-10-01), Tai et al.
patent: 5390276 (1995-02-01), Tai et al.
patent: 5432876 (1995-07-01), Appeldorn et al.
patent: 5506929 (1996-04-01), Tai et al.
Appeldorn Roger H.
Lundin David J.
Buckingham Stephen W.
Griswold Gary L.
Healy Brian
Kirn Walter N.
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
LandOfFree
Structured surface light extraction overlay and illumination sys does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Structured surface light extraction overlay and illumination sys, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Structured surface light extraction overlay and illumination sys will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1730386