TAPERED MULTILAYER LUMINAIRE DEVICES

摘要

An optical device (10) for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A wedge layer (12) has an optical index of refracti on n1, and top (14), bottom (16) and side surfaces (18) intersecting to define an angle of inclination d. A back surface 20 spans the top (14) bottom (16) and side surface (18). A firs t layer is coupled to the bottom surface (16) of the layer (28) and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer (28) index n2 causes light input (22) through the back surfa ce (20) of the layer to be preferentially outputted in the first layer. A second layer (30) is coupled to the bottom of (16) of the first layer (28) and selectively causes output of ligh t into ambient. Additionally layers such as an air gap (31), can be provided adjacent to the wedge shaped layer. The wedge shaped layer can also have a variable index of refraction n (x, y, z).