Highly efficient illuminator and method of use thereof

Abstract

Systems and methods for high efficiency illuminators are described. An illuminator includes an elliptical reflector defining a first focal point, a second focal point, a first focal plane and a second focal plane, the first focal point and the second focal point defining a principle axis; an output coupler optically coupled to the elliptical reflector, the output coupler including a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first proximal end defining an output coupler axis that is substantially coaxial with the principle axis; and a hollow conical reflector optically coupled to the output coupler, the hollow conical reflector including a first end defining an first aperture and a second end defining a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture defining a hollow conical reflector axis, the hollow conical reflector being positioned such that i) the hollow conical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with the principle axis and ii) a plane defined by the input aperture is substantially coincident with the second focal point, the second end of the hollow conical reflector being mechanically connected to the proximal end of the output coupler. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the efficiency of coupling between the light source and the coupler is substantially improved, albeit through an opening formed between the conical and spherical reflectors that is of smaller diameter than that of the coupler.