Abstract: A dual-Fresnel field lens liquid crystal display projection system which includes first and second flat Fresnel lenses having their faceted surfaces facing one another and positioned adjacent to one another along the optical axis of the system between a liquid crystal display light modulator and the entrance aperture to a projection lens assembly to form a field lens assembly for the projection system.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a lighting unit having a light source emitting light, a reflector placed behind the light source for reflecting the emitted light, and a lens held in front of the light source. The lens is substantially flat and circular. The lens has a predetermined structure that comprises a light-emitting surface and a light-incident surface opposing the light-emitting surface. The light-incident surface of the lens is formed into a vertically oriented high-frequency waveform. In the first embodiment of the lens, the light-emitting surface is substantially flat and the high-frequency waveform is obtained from a combination of a first primary waveform and the third harmonic of the first primary waveform; that is, the high-frequency waveform is derived from the equation ##EQU1## The first embodiment of the lens spreads the emitted light with a graduated distribution horizontally about 20 degrees as measured from the edge of the lens.

Abstract: An optical fiber manifold is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a plurality of spaced, large diameter output fibers, or "light pipes", which are used for a variety of purposes, such as illuminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, and other applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The manifold employs an illumination reflector(s) which has been customized to maximize the efficiency of light transmission between the illumination source, such as an arc lamp, and the cores of the plurality of output fibers. A method of fabricating the customized illumination reflector includes mapping the radiation patterns of the particular illumination source to be utilized, creating a database of those radiation patterns, and utilizing the database to generate an optimal illumination reflector configuration.

Abstract: The inventive system, which is used in transmitting illumination from a central source to a variety of remote locations, efficiently couples the light originating from an arc lamp, or similar source, into a multiplicity of flexible macroscopic fibers. The combination of the several elements of the inventive system results in a very efficient transfer of the energy from the light source to the fibers. The system also provides a very flexible mechanical means for distributing the energy to the fibers and to the remote locations at which the light is used.

Abstract: An optical fiber manifold is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a plurality of spaced, large diameter output fibers, or "light pipes", which are used for a variety of purposes, such as illuminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, and other applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The manifold comprises a light converging element, which may be either a lens or a reflector, for converging light separately on each of the spaced optical fibers. The light converging element is segmented, with each segment corresponding to one of the optical fibers, and is precise enough that substantially all of the convergent light is received by the respective cores of each of the spaced output fibers, thereby minimizing light loss.

Abstract: The inventive system, which is used in transmitting illumination from a central source to a variety of remote locations, efficiently couples the light originating from an arc lamp, or similar source, into a multiplicity of flexible macroscopic fibers. The combination of the several elements of the inventive system results in a very efficient transfer of the energy of the light source to the fibers. The system also provides a very flexible mechanical means for distributing the energy to the fibers and to the remote locations at which the light is used.

Abstract: An illumination system for providing higher efficiency and greater control over uniformity of illumination of non-circular apertures, which are commonly rectangular. The illumination system comprises a reflector of substantially ellipsoidal form surrounding a light source, and which has a concave reflection surface formed of a plurality of curved reflective segments extending along the length of the reflection surface, each of which is tilted and rotated by a predetermined amount to direct light from the reflector almost entirely into the area encompassed by the rectangular aperture including portions of the area which lie outside of a circular area inscribed within the aperture.

Abstract: An optical fiber manifold is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a plurality of spaced, large diameter output fibers, or "light pipes", which are used for a variety of purposes, such as illuminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, and other applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The manifold comprises a light converging element, which may be either a lens or a reflector, for converging light separately on each of the spaced optical fibers. The light converging element is segmented, with each segment corresponding to one of the optical fibers, and is precise enough that substantially all of the convergent light is received by the respective cores of each of the spaced output fibers, thereby minimizing light loss.

Abstract: A projection system comprising a liquid crystal light valve having a wider acceptance angle for incident light in a first direction than in a second direction transverse to the first direction and an illumination system. The illumination system provides light to the liquid crystal light valve at a greater beam spread angle in the first direction than in the second direction. The system also includes projection optics for receiving light from the liquid crystal light valve and projecting such light toward a projection surface.