Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus, comprising at least one light emitting source embedded in a waveguide material is disclosed. The waveguide material is capable of propagating light generated by light emitting source(s), such that at least a portion of the light is diffused within the waveguide material and exits through at least a portion of its surface.
1. An illumination apparatus comprising:
a substantially planar waveguide; and
embedded within the waveguide, (i) at least one light source, and (ii) at least one photoluminescent material for converting a wavelength of a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source, unconverted light from the at least one light source mixing with light converted by the at least one photoluminescent material to produce substantially white light,
wherein the waveguide (i) retains therein substantially all light emitted by the at least one embedded light source, and (ii) causes light to propagate and diffuse within the waveguide until light is caused to exit from an exit region of a surface thereof.
2. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each said at least one light source is a bare die LED.
3. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each said at least one light source is an organic LED.
4. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an optical element for redirecting at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source out of the exit region.
5. The illumination apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the optical element comprises at least one of a plurality of impurities, one or more prisms, one or more gratings, one or more microlenses, or a non-smooth surface.
6. The illumination apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the optical element is spaced away from the at least one light source toward the exit region.
7. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the exit region comprises a portion of a top surface of the waveguide displaced from the at least one light source.
8. The illumination apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the at least one light source is embedded proximate the bottom surface of the waveguide.
9. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is embedded proximate the bottom surface of the waveguide.
10. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an encapsulation material disposed between the at least one light source and the waveguide.
11. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a reflective material proximate a bottom surface of the waveguide.
12. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one said light source is an LED incorporating at least one said photoluminescent material.
13. The illumination apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising an optical element for redirecting at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source out of the exit region.
14. The illumination apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the optical element comprises at least one of a plurality of impurities, one or more prisms, one or more gratings, one or more microlenses, or a non-smooth surface.
15. The illumination apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the optical element is spaced away from the at least one light source toward the exit region.
16. The illumination apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the exit region comprises a portion of a top surface of the waveguide displaced from the at least one light source.
17. The illumination apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the at least one light source is embedded proximate the bottom surface of the waveguide.
18. The illumination apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the at least one light source is embedded proximate the bottom surface of the waveguide.
19. The illumination apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising an encapsulation material disposed between the at least one light source and the waveguide.
20. An illumination apparatus comprising:
a substantially planar waveguide; and
embedded within the waveguide, (i) at least one light source, and (ii) at least one photoluminescent material for converting a wavelength of a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source, unconverted light from the at least one light source mixing with light converted by the at least one photoluminescent material to produce substantially white light,
wherein the waveguide (i) has a planar top surface above the at least one embedded light source, (ii) retains therein substantially all light emitted by the at least one embedded light source, and (iii) causes light to propagate and diffuse within the waveguide until light is caused to exit from an exit region of a surface thereof.
21. The illumination apparatus of claim 20 , wherein each said at least one light source is a bare die LED.
22. The illumination apparatus of claim 20 , wherein at least one said light source is an LED incorporating at least one said photoluminescent material.