Abstract: A fiber optic illumination system includes a light source, a waveguide, a primary optical fiber, a diffraction grating wavelength selector, and a secondary optical fiber. One or more lamps and/or solid-state devices may be employed as the light source. The waveguide includes a straight collecting segment, a tapered condensing segment, and a straight homogenizing segment, may be fabricated from fused silica as a single monolithic component, conveys light from the light source to the primary optical fiber by transmission and/or internal reflection, and may be provided with UV and/or IR blocking filter coating(s). The primary optical fiber may be colorless or fluorescent optical fiber. Light transmitted by the primary optical fiber may be divided into its constituent wavelength components by the diffraction grating, and a desired wavelength component may be received by, transmitted by, and emitted from the secondary optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic illumination system includes a light source, a waveguide, and an optical fiber. One or more lamps and/or solid-state devices may be employed as the light source. The waveguide includes a straight collecting segment, a tapered condensing segment, and a straight homogenizing segment, may be fabricated from fused silica as a single monolithic component, conveys light from the light source to the optical fiber by transmission and/or internal reflection, and may be provided with UV and/or IR blocking filter coating(s). The optical fiber may be colorless or fluorescent optical fiber. Light transmitted by the optical fiber may be delivered to any one or more of a variety of light output devices, including diffusive flat panels, diffusive rods or wands, fluorescent light emitting converters, projectors, spectrum generators, and so on.

Abstract: A fluorescent optical fiber is provided that is prepared from a novel material. The novel material comprises a cross-linked polymer Poly(methyl methacrylate) (MMA) [CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(CH.sub.3)COOCH.sub.3 ] and allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39), initiated with 2.2'-Azo-bis (2 Methylpropionitrile) [(CH.sub.3).sub.2 C(CN)N.dbd.NC(CH.sub.3).sub.2 CN], in which a laser dye or mixture of dyes is dissolved, and the mixture is then thermoset under pressure into Teflon.RTM. tubing. The material exhibits fluorescence when illuminated by various light sources. When the material is formed into a fiber, the result is a fluorescent, large diameter, flexible, light transmitting optical fiber, that emits a lot of side light, presenting a neon-like effect, and can thus be used in illumination applications. Also disclosed is a method of preparation of this novel material into a fiber.

Abstract: A mixture of approximately 95% barium sulfate and 5% polyvinyl alcohol in powdered form is mixed into a solvent, heated and sprayed onto a diffusion surface to be used in conjunction with high-intensity lamps ranging from 200 watts to 18 kilowatts to convert the irregular lighting from these sources to a smooth, broad, even diffused source suitable for use in motion picture and television settings and other situations in which a very bright, but soft, evenly dispersed light is desirable.

Abstract: A parabolic reflector differs from a standard paraboloid configuration by defining a relatively small, reflective cone on its reflective surface which is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the parabolic reflector. The reflective surface of the cone in any cross section taken through the conical axis and is so contoured that light impinging from a light source disposed forwardly of the reflector on the longitudinal axis thereof will strike the concave reflective surface of the cone, and reflect against the main parabolic reflecting dish, where it is re-reflected forwardly and parallel, thus eliminating the light from the lamp passing close to the longitudinal axis which would otherwise reflect back through the lamp rather than alongside it. This reflector is designed for use with high power HMI lamps from 1200 to 18 kw which are used for motion picture and television set lighting. Cone angle is from 15 degrees to 45 degrees maximum.

Abstract: The trap is used to allow the high flow of ventilation air through an exhaust opening in the housing of a large arc lamp, while at the same time preventing the escape of light through this opening, and most particularly eliminating the escape of ultraviolet light. The trap is box-shaped, and fits over the ventilation openings in the top and bottom of the arc lamp housing, with each side of the box being comprised of a honeycomb panel coated with a flat black high-temperature light-absorbing material, and the top rectangular honeycomb panel having an opaque sheet passing across its top.

Abstract: The ignitor is a high voltage power supply for intermittent operation used to ignite HMI (Hydrargyrum Medium Arc Iodide), Xenon and mercury arc lamps of the type typically used in motion pictures, video applications, theater and television. The ignitor inputs through a rectifier circuit and the rectified current drives the primary coil of the first transformer of two ganged transformers. The primary coil is driven into saturation, at which point a pulse-width modulated controller senses that the saturation current has been reached in the primary, and opens a FET which acts as a switch in series with the primary, collapsing the field around the primary to induce an energy surge into the secondary, which results, after further conditioning and transforming, in the production of a high voltage (30 kv-50 kv) arc-jumping current to ignite the arc lamp to which it is connected.