Innovations in Optics, Inc.

Lumencor, Inc.

3M Innovative Properties Company

Other

Getinge/castle, Inc.

Thomas John Brukilacchio

Arlie R Conner

Douglas P Hart

Janos Rohaly

John Robert Householder

Lynn W Noble

Patrick W Hopkins

Paul B Elterman

Benoit Boulant

Arkady Pievsky

Charles A Demilo

Alvin C Mayshack

Brain James DiCarlo

David W Pierce

Described is a telecentric illuminator that can be used, for example, in a mask aligner system for semiconductor wafer processing or as part of a solar simulator system for characterization of solar cells. The telecentric illuminator includes a tapered optic, a lens group having a plurality of lenses and an aperture stop, and a hybrid Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens is disposed at a position along the optical axis of the telecentric illuminator to generate a telecentric image of the aperture stop at an illumination plane. The Fresnel lens may have a curved central portion and the aperture stop may be apodized to achieve desired illumination characteristics and improve the resolution of a mask aligner system.

High uniformity telecentric illuminator

Described are optical systems for a digital micromirror device (DMD) illuminator. The optical systems include a LED array, a tapered non-imaging collection optic, a reflective stop and a telecentric lens system. The telecentric lens system is disposed along an optical axis defined between the tapered non-imaging collection optic and the reflective stop. The telecentric lens system is configured as a first half of a symmetric one to one imager for an object plane on the optical axis and as a second half of the symmetric one to one imager for optical energy reflected from the reflective aperture stop. The optical systems reclaim optical energy emitted by the LED array that does not initially pass through the reflective stop and provide an improved intensity distribution at the DMD. Reductions in stray light and the thermal loads on the illuminator and DMD are achieved relative to conventional illumination systems for DMDs.

Hollow light integrator for light emitting diode digital micromirror device illuminator

Light emitting diode digital micromirror device illuminator

Described is a light emitting diode (LED) linear illumination system that includes a linear array of LED groups, high efficiency non-imaging optics and aberration corrected imaging optics. Each LED group can include one or more LEDs. The system provides uniform high intensity in near and far fields. System applications include machine vision and inspection of high reflectivity targets. Illumination can include one or more colors, including white light. The described system has improved thermal and optical performance and is generally more compact and lower in cost relative to conventional systems based on pre-packaged commercially available LED devices.

Light emitting diode linear light with uniform far field

Described is a light emitting diode (LED) high radiance illumination system that includes at least one LED die and a tapered collection optic. An aperture in a reflective surface at the output end of the tapered collection optic recovers light is configured to emit light to an adjacent optical fiber bundle. The reflective surface surrounding the aperture reflects light back through the tapered collection optic, resulting in increased radiance. The system provides uniform high intensity in near and far fields and is suitable for applications including surgical and microscopy illumination with high color rendering index, and stable and adjustable intensity and correlated color rendering. Illumination can include one or more colors, including white light. The system has improved thermal and optical performance and is generally more compact and lower in cost relative to conventional systems.

High radiance light emitting diode light engine

In various embodiments of the invention, a unique construction for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with at least one luminescent rod and extracting optical elements used to generate a variety of high brightness light sources with different emission spectra. In an embodiment of the invention, forced air cooling is used to cool the luminescent rod. In an embodiment of the invention, totally internal reflected light can be redirected outward and refocused. In another embodiment of the invention, light emitted by the luminescent rod is out-coupled for use in a variety of applications.

Light emitting diode illumination system

The present invention provides a light engine having four light sources. A combination of collimators, bandpass filters, dichroic mirrors, and other elements is operative to direct light from the light sources onto a main optical axis from where it may be focused into a light guide for transport to an instrument or device. Particular embodiments of the invention provide for computer control, intensity control, color control, and light source modulation. Additional embodiments include particular light sources including light pipes and lasers. The light engine provides white light having a high color rendering index and suitable for applications in microscopy, endoscopy, and/or bioanalytical instrumentation.

LED 'Chip-on-Board' (COB) metal core printed circuit board (PCB) technology operates in conjunction with high efficiency compact imaging and non-imaging optics to provide a compact emergency light offering high performance luminance levels (higher brightness) and enhanced life, at low cost. Thermal impedance between the LED junction and the heat sink is significantly reduced for COB technology by placing the LED die directly on a high thermal conductivity material substrate thereby increasing temperature dependant life and thermally dependant output power. Additionally, there is no encapsulant or domed optic over the LED thus making it possible to get a much more compact and efficient substantially Etendue preserving collection optic directly over the die.

Light emitting diode emergency lighting module

A light emitting diode (LED) based illumination system with particular application to large scale side lighted liquid crystal displays (LCD). The invention uses on board closed loop intensity control in conjunction with red, green and blue (R,G,B) LED die and a hybrid non-imaging optical system to overcome substantial temperature dependence, loss in intensity with time, increased system cost and complexity, and decreased dynamic range. The invention obtains a large color gamut in excess of 110% of the NTSC (National Television System Committee) recommendation. A high performance thermal management design, the use of 'chip on board' technology, compact and efficient collection optics, and on board closed loop intensity control increase and maintain luminous performance and decrease cost relative to less efficient RGB LED approaches. One or more line sources can be generated for applications other than in lighting LCD displays.

LED backlighting system with closed loop control

The present invention provides a light engine having four LED light sources in combination with one or more laser light sources. A combination of collimators, bandpass filters, dichroic mirrors, and other elements is operative to direct light from the light sources onto a main optical axis from where it may be focused into a light guide for transport to a instrument or device. Particular embodiments of the invention provide for computer control, intensity control, color control, and light source modulation. The light engine provides light suitable for applications in microscopy, endoscopy, and/or bioanalytical instrumentation.

In various embodiments of the invention, a unique construction for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with at least one luminescent rod and extracting optical elements is used to generate a variety of high brightness light sources with different emission spectra. In an embodiment of the invention, forced air cooling is used to cool the luminescent rod. In an embodiment of the invention, totally internal reflected light can be redirected outward and refocused. In another embodiment of the invention, light emitted by the luminescent rod is out-coupled for use in a variety of applications. In various embodiments of the invention, a plurality of independent narrow band colors can be coaxially combined.

Growing community of inventors

Reading, MA, United States of America

Thomas John Brukilacchio