Abstract: The invention relates to machining a workpiece. In the inventive a pair of a workpiece and a tool materials are selected, and the workpiece material machined with the tool. At the same time with the machining there is the step of providing an external, charged gaseous medium to a working zone, workpiece and tool contacts. The formed charged polarity of the gaseous medium depends on the pair of the selected workpiece and the tool materials to harmonize their generated internal thermal energy and electric charge, enthalpy levels and electrochemical reactions in the working zone, workpiece and tool during the machining.

Abstract: An optical incoupling tape (50) attachable on a lightguide (20) is provided, comprising a substrate (50A) and at least one pattern (51) formed with a number of periodic pattern features (52) embedded in the substrate (50A) and configured as optically functional cavities (52) filled with a material having a refractive index different from the refractive index of the material of the substrate (50A) surrounding the cavity (52). The pattern (51) is configured to incouple light incident thereto and to adjust direction of the incoupled light such, that the incoupled light acquires a propagation path through a lightguide medium (20) via a series of total internal reflections. A method for manufacturing the tape (50), related uses and an optical apparatus comprising the tape (50) integrated with a light emitter device (22) are further provided.

Abstract: An optical deflection tape (10) attachable on a lightguide (20) is provided, comprising a substrate (10A) and at least one pattern (11) formed with a number of periodic pattern features (12) embedded in the substrate (10A) and configured as optically functional cavities (12) filled with a material having a refractive index different from the refractive index of the material of the substrate (10A) surrounding the cavity (12). The pattern (11) is configured to adjust direction of light received thereto such, that light incident at the pattern (11) is deflected to acquire a propagation path through a lightguide medium (20) via a series of total internal reflections and, by virtue of said at least one pattern (11), the optical deflection tape (10) is configured to control distribution of light propagating through the lightguide (20). A method for manufacturing the tape (10) and related uses are further provided.

Abstract: An optical incoupling element (100) provided in the form of a discrete item attachable on a lightguide (20) is provided, comprising a substrate (100A) and at least one three-dimensionally formed optical surface (104). The optical surface (104) is configured to incouple light incident thereto and to adjust direction of the incoupled light transmitted through an optical contact surface (107) established at an interface between the element substrate (100A) and a lightguide medium (20) such, that the incoupled light acquires a propagation path through a lightguide medium (20) via a series of total internal reflections. The optical surface (104) may comprise at least on optical cavity pattern (101). The element (100) is configured to receive light onto said at least one three-dimensionally formed optical surface (104) from a direction essentially parallel to a longitudinal plane of the planar lightguide (20).

Abstract: A lighting apparatus (102) for hazardous environments, comprising at least one substantially point-like source of light (4), and a housing structure for said at least one substantially point-like source of light, defining at least a triple barrier protective encapsulation (1, 3, 7) to seal and insulate said at least one source of light from the environment, wherein said triple barrier protective encapsulation is at least partially optically transmissive to enable light propagation from said at least one source of light to the environment at predefined wavelengths.

Abstract: A transparent optical device (100) is provided, comprising a lightguide medium (101) configured for light propagation, and an at least one optically functional layer (10) comprising at least one optically functional feature pattern (11) formed in a light-transmitting carrier medium (11 1) by a plurality of embedded features provided as optically functional internal cavities (12), wherein said at least one feature pattern (11) is configured to perform an incident light control function and at least a light outcoupling function, whereby stray light is minimized and optical transparency of the device (100) is established.

Abstract: An integrated laminate structure adapted for application in the context of solar technology, wafer technology, cooling channels, greenhouse illumination, window illumination, street lighting, traffic lighting, traffic reflectors or security films, includes a first carrier element such as a piece of plastic or glass, optionally having optically substantially transparent material enabling light transmission therethrough, a second carrier element provided with at least one surface relief pattern including a number of surface relief forms and having at least one predetermined optical function relative to incident light, the second carrier element optionally including optically substantially transparent material enabling light transmission therethrough, the first and second carrier elements being laminated together such that the at least one surface relief pattern has been embedded within the established laminate structure and a number of related cavities have been formed at the interface of the first and second c

Abstract: A controlled light distribution element is provided comprising a lightguide medium configured for light propagation, a first functional layer configured as an optical filter layer and disposed on an at least one surface of the lightguide medium, and a second functional 5layer comprising an at least one optically functional pattern, wherein the first functional layer and the second functional layer are rendered with an at least one optical function related to incident light and, in particular, to light incident at an angle equal and/or below the critical angle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light distribution structure in the form of an optically functional layer includes at least one three-dimensional feature pattern established in a light-transmitting carrier by a plurality of three-dimensional optical features. The method also includes manufacturing a patterned master tool for the at least one three-dimensional feature pattern by a piezoelectric cutting method selected from a fast tool servo method and a stylus engraving method, or by a laser engraving method, and transferring the at least one three-dimensional feature pattern onto the light-transmitting carrier.

Abstract: A light distribution structure 10 and a related element 100, such as a light guide, are provided. The structure 10 is preferably an optically functional layer comprising an at least one feature pattern 11, 11A established in a light-transmitting carrier by a plurality of three-dimensional optical features variable in terms of at least one of the cross-sectional profile, dimensions, periodicity, orientation and disposition thereof within the feature pattern. In some instances, the optical features are embodied as internal optical cavities 12 capable to establish the total internal reflection (TIR) function at a horizontal surface and at an essentially vertical surface thereof. A method for manufacturing the light distribution structure is further provided.

Abstract: With a simple configuration, an optical device having an in-coupling function to a lightguide is provided. The optical device includes a light guiding layer; and in-coupling optics provided integrally with the light guiding layer to couple light from a light source to an incident edge of the light guiding layer. The in-coupling optics include an optical element that is convex toward the incident edge and an air cavity provided between the optical element and the incident edge.

Abstract: With a simple configuration, an optical device which realizes uniform light distribution and adequate display quality is provided. An optical device includes: a light guiding layer; a first optically functional layer provided on at least one of a first principal face and a second principal face of the light guiding layer; and a ray control structure, at an end of the light guiding layer on a light-incident side, being provided on a surface of the first optically functional layer that is on an opposite side to the light guiding layer. The ray control structure reduces light which is incident from an edge of the light guiding layer to the first optically functional layer at an angle smaller than a critical angle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical member including: a first layer that includes a first region having a refractive index n1 and a second region having a refractive index n3; and a second layer disposed on a first main surface of the first layer so as to be in contact with the first region and the second region, the second layer having a refractive index n2. The first layer includes a plurality of said second regions adjoining the first region along a planar direction of the first layer; the plurality of second regions constitute a geometric pattern; and n1 to n3 satisfy the relationship n1<n3<n2. When an optical member according to the present invention is integrated with a lightguide in use, excellent light extraction function is exhibited and leakage of light due to light scattering is suppressed, while attaining good mechanical strength at the same time.

Abstract: An thin and flat reflector solution is provided including an entirely flat, planar base element; and an at least one flat, planar carrier element provided with cavities arranged into an at least one pattern, wherein the carrier element(s) and optionally the base element are substantially optically transparent, wherein the at least one carrier element is laminated together with a base element such, that an at least one embedded, optically functional cavity pattern is established at an interface between the elements, and wherein the optical structure is rendered optically functional by adjusting cavity profiles within each the embedded pat-tern and/or within each the carrier element, wherein an optical function is selected from light reflection, light refraction and light redirection.

Abstract: An optical shield for a photovoltaic cell is provided, comprising an at least one carrier element, the carrier element comprises a number of embedded optically functional cavities arranged into an at least one predetermined optical relief pattern, wherein each embedded optically functional cavity in the at least one carrier element is positioned and aligned over an individual surface structure, such as an electrode, a contact, a finger, or a busbar, provided on the surface of the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical member including: a first layer that includes a first region having a refractive index n1 and a second region having a refractive index n3; and a second layer disposed on a first main surface of the first layer so as to be in contact with the first region and the second region, the second layer having a refractive index n2. The first layer includes a plurality of said second regions adjoining the first region along a planar direction of the first layer; the plurality of second regions constitute a geometric pattern; and n1 to n3 satisfy the relationship n1<n3<n2. When an optical member according to the present invention is integrated with a lightguide in use, excellent light extraction function is exhibited and leakage of light due to light scattering is suppressed, while attaining good mechanical strength at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical member including: a first layer that includes a first region having a refractive index n1 and a second region having a refractive index n3; and a second layer disposed on a first main surface of the first layer so as to be in contact with the first region and the second region, the second layer having a refractive index n2. The first layer includes a plurality of said second regions adjoining the first region along a planar direction of the first layer; the plurality of second regions constitute a geometric pattern; and n1 to n3 satisfy the relationship n1<n3<n2. When an optical member according to the present invention is integrated with a lightguide in use, excellent light extraction function is exhibited and leakage of light due to light scattering is suppressed, while attaining good mechanical strength at the same time.

Abstract: A luminaire incorporating a plurality of lighting module units, each module comprising a plurality of preferably independently controllable light sources, optionally LEDs and/or laser lamps, each light source having preferably dedicated lens structure associated therewith, wherein the modules are individually configurable and further wherein the light output characteristics of each module of said plurality are individually controllable to yield a target overall distribution of output light from the luminaire. Yet, it is presented a lighting apparatus comprising a single point-like light source, preferably a LED, and a transmissive lens structure optically connected to said light source defining a plurality of optically functional, mutually different segments dedicated for controlling the light, e.g. distribution and direction, originally emitted by said single light source. A corresponding transmissive element such as a lens is presented.

Abstract: A controlled light distribution element is provided comprising a lightguide medium configured for light propagation, a first functional layer configured as an optical filter layer and disposed on an at least one surface of the lightguide medium, and a second functional 5layer comprising an at least one optically functional pattern, wherein the first functional layer and the second functional layer are rendered with an at least one optical function related to incident light and, in particular, to light incident at an angle equal and/or below the critical angle.

Abstract: There is provided an optical device which realizes sufficient contrast or visibility, with a simple configuration. The optical device includes: a light guiding layer; a first optically functional layer provided on a first principal face of the light guiding layer; a second optically functional layer provided on a second principal face of the light guiding layer that is on an opposite side to the first principal face; and an optical medium layer provided on a surface of the second optically functional layer that is on an opposite side to the light guiding layer. A refractive index of the first optically functional layer is lower than a refractive index of the light guiding layer.