LOW PROFILE BACKLIGHT APPARATUS

摘要

A backlight apparatus (8) includes a point source (16) of radiant electromagnetic energy. A total internal reflection (TIR) lens (14) has a vertical central axis (24) located along a path of the radiant electromagnetic energy. The TIR lens (14) receives and evenly distributes the radiant electromagnetic energy (40) at an output face (38). The radiant electromagnetic energy (40) exiting the TIR lens (14) is substantially collimated and defines vertical optical paths parallel to the vertical central axis (24). A first diffuser (18, 20) receives the radiant electromagnetic energy from the output face of the TIR lens and spreads the radiant electromagnetic energy to a predetermined first angle relative to the vertical optical paths.