LIGHT MULTIPLEXER WITH COLOR COMBINING ELEMENT

摘要

A light multiplexing system includes a color combining element and two or more first, second, and third color channels. Each color channel includes a light source that directs light of a corresponding first, second, or third wavelength band, respectively, toward the color combining element. The color combining element includes first and second. The first and second windows are made of a solid transparent material and include, collectively, three coated surfaces. The surfaces may be non-contiguous. A first coated surface receives light of the first, second and third wavelength bands. The first coated surface reflects the light of the first wavelength band and transmits the light of the second and third wavelength bands. A second coated surface receives light of the second and third wavelength bands transmitted by the first coated surface. The second coated surface reflects the light of second wavelength band and transmits the light of the third wavelength band. The third coated surface receives the light of the third wavelength band transmitted by the second coated surface and reflects it. The reflected first, second, and third wavelength bands exit the first surface of the color combining element as a coaxial beam.

主权项

1. A light multiplexing system comprising:
a color-combining element, said color-combining element comprising:
a first piece of solid transparent material, said first piece of solid transparent material having a first surface and a second surface;a second piece of solid transparent material, said second piece of solid transparent material having a third surface and a fourth surface;a first coating disposed on said first surface;a second coating disposed on said second surface or said third surface; anda third coating disposed on said fourth surface; a first color channel having a first light source, said first light source directing a first beam of light onto said first coating, said first beam of light including a first wavelength band; a second color channel having a second light source, said second light source directing a second beam of light onto said first coating, said second beam of light including a second wavelength band and being parallel to said first beam of light; a third color channel having a third light source, said third light source directing a third beam of light onto said first coating, said third beam of light including a third wavelength band and being parallel to said second beam of light; wherein said first coating reflects said first wavelength band and transmits said second wavelength band and said third wavelength band; wherein said second coating reflects said second wavelength band and transmits said third wavelength band; and wherein said third coating reflects said third wavelength band.