WAVEGUIDE SHEET AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
In one aspect, an illumination structure includes a substantially non-fiber waveguide, which itself includes a discrete in-coupling region for receiving light, a discrete propagation region for propagating light, and a discrete out-coupling region for emitting light.
1 . An illumination structure comprising:
a substantially non-fiber waveguide; and
a discrete light source disposed proximate a bottom surface of a first portion of the waveguide,
wherein light is absorbed into the structure through the bottom surface of the first portion and is emitted from a top surface of a second portion of the waveguide having substantially no overlap with the first portion of the waveguide.
2 . The illumination structure of claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the waveguide are spaced apart from each other, and light is emitted only from the second portion of the waveguide.
3 . An illumination structure comprising:
a substantially non-fiber waveguide; and
a discrete light source disposed proximate a bottom surface of a first portion of the waveguide,
wherein a propagation direction, within a second portion of the waveguide, of light from the discrete light source is substantially perpendicular to an in-coupling direction of the light.
4 . The illumination structure of claim 3 , wherein the propagation direction of the light is substantially perpendicular to an out-coupling direction of the light in a third portion of the waveguide, the out-coupling direction being parallel to the in-coupling direction.
5 . The illumination structure of claim 3 , further comprising a phosphor material for converting some of the light to a different wavelength, the converted light mixing with unconverted light to form mixed light spectrally different from both the unconverted light and the converted light.
6 . The illumination structure of claim 5 , wherein an out-coupling direction of the mixed light is substantially perpendicular to the propagation direction.
7 . A method of forming a substantially non-fiber waveguide, the method comprising forming a plurality of joined core structures, at least one of which is substantially free of scattering particles.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein at least some of the core structures comprise a plurality of scattering particles, and wherein at least one of a size, a concentration, or a type of the scattering particles varies among at least two of the core structures.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein forming the plurality of joined core structures comprises at least one of co-injection molding, coextrusion, coating, lamination, bonding, or welding.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising forming a cladding layer on at least one of a top surface or a bottom surface of the plurality of joined core structures.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein, across a thickness thereof, there is substantially no overlap between adjoining core structures.
12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the waveguide is substantially planar.