Abstract: In one aspect, an optical system is disclosed, which comprises a lens having an input surface for receiving light from at least one light source and an output surface through which the light exits the lens, said lens further comprising a peripheral surface extending between said input surface and said output surface and configured to direct, via total internal reflection, at least a portion of the light incident thereon through said output surface to an output focal point. The optical system can further include a tapered light pipe optically coupled to the lens and a light guide (e.g., one or more optical fibers) that is optically coupled to the tapered light pipe. The lens directs the received light to an output focal point that is disposed within the tapered light pipe.

Abstract: In one aspect, a light-mixing system is disclosed, which includes a light pipe having an input surface configured for receiving light from a light source, a light-mixing segment optically coupled to the input surface, and an output surface optically coupled to said light-mixing segment through which light exits the light pipe. A putative vector normal to at least one of the input or the output surface forms a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the light-mixing segment. In some embodiments, the non-zero angle can be, for example, about 90 degrees.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical system for delivering light into an optical fiber is disclosed, which comprises a phosphor-converted white light source for generating white light, a red light emitting diode (LED) for generating red light, and a light-delivery system for delivering at least a portion of said white light and said red light into an input port of an optical fiber.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical system for delivering light into an optical fiber is disclosed, which comprises a phosphor-converted white light source for generating white light, a red light emitting diode (LED) for generating red light, and a light-delivery system for delivering at least a portion of said white light and said red light into an input port of an optical fiber.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical system for delivering light into an optical fiber is disclosed, which comprises a phosphor-converted white light source for generating white light, a red light emitting diode (LED) for generating red light, and a light-delivery system for delivering at least a portion of said white light and said red light into an input port of an optical fiber.

Abstract: In one aspect, a light-mixing system is disclosed, which includes a light pipe having an input surface configured for receiving light from a light source, a light-mixing segment optically coupled to the input surface, and an output surface optically coupled to said light-mixing segment through which light exits the light pipe. A putative vector normal to at least one of the input or the output surface forms a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the light-mixing segment. In some embodiments, the non-zero angle can be, for example, about 90 degrees.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed, which comprises a glass light pipe having an input surface for receiving light from a light source and an output surface through which light exits the light pipe, and a polymeric light pipe optically coupled at its input surface to the output surface of the glass light pipe to receive at least a portion of the light exiting the glass light pipe, said polymeric light pipe having a textured output surface. A plurality of microlenses is optically coupled to said textured surface of the polymeric light pipe, and a projection lens is optically coupled to the output surface of the polymeric light pipe to receive light therefrom.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed, which comprises a glass light pipe having an input surface for receiving light from a light source and an output surface through which light exits the light pipe, and a polymeric light pipe optically coupled at its input surface to the output surface of the glass light pipe to receive at least a portion of the light exiting the glass light pipe, said polymeric light pipe having a textured output surface. A plurality of microlenses is optically coupled to said textured surface of the polymeric light pipe, and a projection lens is optically coupled to the output surface of the polymeric light pipe to receive light therefrom.

Abstract: In one aspect, a light-mixing system is disclosed, which includes a light pipe having an input surface configured for receiving light from a light source, a light-mixing segment optically coupled to the input surface, and an output surface optically coupled to said light-mixing segment through which light exits the light pipe. A putative vector normal to at least one of the input or the output surface forms a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the light-mixing segment. In some embodiments, the non-zero angle can be, for example, about 90 degrees.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an optic, which comprises a light pipe extending from a proximal end to a distal end about an optical axis, said light pipe being adapted to receive at its proximal end at least a portion of light emitted by a light source. The optic further comprises a central reflector optically coupled to said distal end of the light pipe for receiving at least a portion of the light transmitted through the light pipe and reflecting said received light, a peripheral reflector optically coupled to said central reflector for receiving at least a portion of said reflected light, and an output surface. The peripheral reflect is configured to redirect at least a portion of the light received from the central reflector to said output surface for exiting the optic.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical lens assembly (herein referred to also as an optic) is provided that comprises a plurality of lenses (or lens segments) adapted to receive light from a light source, each of said lenses (or lens segments) having an input surface and an output surface and a lateral surface extending between the input and output surfaces. The lenses are arranged relative to one another and positioned relative to the light source such that each of the lenses receives at its input surface a different portion of light emitted by the source, e.g., each lens receives at its input surface light emitted by the source into an angular subtense (solid angle) different than an angular subtense associated with another lens. Each lens (or lens segment) guides at least a portion of the received light to its output surface via reflection, e.g., via total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed, which comprises a glass light pipe having an input surface for receiving light from a light source and an output surface through which light exits the light pipe, and a polymeric light pipe optically coupled at its input surface to the output surface of the glass light pipe to receive at least a portion of the light exiting the glass light pipe, said polymeric light pipe having a textured output surface. A plurality of microlenses is optically coupled to said textured surface of the polymeric light pipe, and a projection lens is optically coupled to the output surface of the polymeric light pipe to receive light therefrom.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed, which comprises a glass light pipe having an input surface for receiving light from a light source and an output surface through which light exits the light pipe, and a polymeric light pipe optically coupled at its input surface to the output surface of the glass light pipe to receive at least a portion of the light exiting the glass light pipe, said polymeric light pipe having a textured output surface. A plurality of microlenses is optically coupled to said textured surface of the polymeric light pipe, and a projection lens is optically coupled to the output surface of the polymeric light pipe to receive light therefrom.

Abstract: Environmentally sealed optical systems, and methods for sealing them, are disclosed. Such optical systems include area lighting panels and other optical systems. For example, in one exemplary aspect of the invention, a sealed optical system includes a substrate having first and second light sources disposed thereon, and a light-shaping panel with first and second optics formed therein that are positioned (e.g., aligned) to receive light from the first and second light sources, respectively. A sealing membrane is disposed between the substrate and the light-shaping panel, with a first adhesive surface contacting the substrate and a second adhesive surface contacting the light-shaping panel. The sealing membrane has first and second openings formed therein that allow light to pass from the first and second light sources to the first and second optics, respectively, while allowing the sealing membrane to independently seal the light sources from one another and from the external environment.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical lens assembly (herein referred to also as an optic) is provided that comprises a plurality of lenses (or lens segments) adapted to receive light from a light source, each of said lenses (or lens segments) having an input surface and an output surface and a lateral surface extending between the input and output surfaces. The lenses are arranged relative to one another and positioned relative to the light source such that each of the lenses receives at its input surface a different portion of light emitted by the source, e.g., each lens receives at its input surface light emitted by the source into an angular subtense (solid angle) different than an angular subtense associated with another lens. Each lens (or lens segment) guides at least a portion of the received light to its output surface via reflection, e.g., via total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed, which comprises a glass light pipe having an input surface for receiving light from a light source and an output surface through which light exits the light pipe, and a polymeric light pipe optically coupled at its input surface to the output surface of the glass light pipe to receive at least a portion of the light exiting the glass light pipe, said polymeric light pipe having a textured output surface. A plurality of microlenses is optically coupled to said textured surface of the polymeric light pipe, and a projection lens is optically coupled to the output surface of the polymeric light pipe to receive light therefrom.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical lens assembly (herein referred to also as an optic) is provided that comprises a plurality of lenses (or lens segments) adapted to receive light from a light source, each of said lenses (or lens segments) having an input surface and an output surface and a lateral surface extending between the input and output surfaces. The lenses are arranged relative to one another and positioned relative to the light source such that each of the lenses receives at its input surface a different portion of light emitted by the source, e.g., each lens receives at its input surface light emitted by the source into an angular subtense (solid angle) different than an angular subtense associated with another lens. Each lens (or lens segment) guides at least a portion of the received light to its output surface via reflection, e.g., via total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: A solar collector is disclosed in which a light pipe having an optical axis and extending from a proximal end configured to receive sunlight to a distal end, and a plurality of reflective elements optically coupled to the light pipe. Each of the reflective elements is configured to direct at least a portion of sunlight incident thereon into the light pipe via the proximal end substantially parallel to the optical axis for a plurality of positions of the sun in the sky. Baffles coupled to the reflective elements further enhance the collectors ability to increase the light collected.

Abstract: Optical systems including an optic holder with integrated light premixer are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical system includes a lens holder adapted for holding at least one lens, said lens holder comprising a hollow waveguide extending from a proximal end adapted to receive light from a light source to a distal end, wherein said hollow waveguide comprises a reflective optical surface for reflecting at least a portion of the light received from the light source so as to direct the reflected light to said distal end of the waveguide. In some embodiments, the lens holder may be configured to receive a plurality of nested lenses optically coupled to said distal end of the waveguide.

Abstract: Lighting modules and lighting systems containing one or more lighting modules, and associated methods, are provided that receive light from one or more light sources for projecting it to a target surface, e.g., in a uniform, patterned, or other controlled manner. In various embodiments, the lighting modules and lighting systems can be used to mix the light generated by one or more sources.