Abstract: A first toroidal ray guide defines an axis of revolution and has a toroidal entrance pupil adapted to image light incident on the entrance pupil at an angle to the axis of revolution between 40 and 140 degrees, and it also has a first imaging surface opposite the entrance pupil. A second toroidal ray guide also defines the same axis of revolution and has a second imaging surface adjacent to the first imaging surface. Various additions and further qualities of the ray guides, which form optical channels, are disclosed. In a method light emanating from a source at between 40-140 degrees from an optical axis is received at an entrance pupil of a ray guide arrangement that is circularly symmetric about the optical axis. Then the received light is redirected through the ray guide arrangement to an exit pupil in an average direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical component includes mounting each of a series of replicating inserts to a movable support such as a mold slide. Each of the replicating inserts defines a replicating surface that bears micro-optical structures. Each of the supports is moved relative to one another so that the replicating surfaces of the inserts form at least portions of surfaces of a concave geometric shape. An optically transmissive substrate is then disposed between the replicating surfaces, so that the micro-optical structures of the replicating surfaces are impressed upon externally-facing surfaces of the optically transmissive substrate. Each of the mold slides are then moved away from the externally facing surfaces of the optically transmissive substrate, in a direction that is selected to preserve the impressed micro-optical structures.