System for variable distribution of light to a plurality of projectors
A system for variable distribution of light is provided. The system comprises: a plurality of reflective optical devices having a first variable reflective beam splitter configured to receive light along an input light path and direct a first portion of the light along a first light path and direct a second portion of the light to another one of the plurality of reflective optical devices, and a last reflective optical device configured to receive remaining light from a second last reflective optical device and to perform one of: direct the remaining light along a last light path; and, divide the remaining light into two portions, and direct the two portions along two different light paths. At least one optical property of one or more of the plurality reflective optical devices is adjustable to variably apportion received light.
1. A system comprising:
a light source comprising a blue laser source or one or more of: a white light source, and a white laser light source;
a plurality of reflective optical devices arranged along a light path of light from the light source; and,
a plurality of projectors in at least a one-to-one relationship with the plurality of reflective optical devices,
the plurality of reflective optical devices comprising: a first variable reflective beam splitter configured to receive the light from the light source along the light path; direct a first portion of the light along a first light path to a first one of the plurality of projectors; and direct a second portion of the light to a next one of the plurality of reflective optical devices downstream from the first variable reflective beam splitter along the light path; a last reflective optical device configured to receive remaining light from a second last reflective optical device along the light path, the last reflective optical device comprising one of: a mirror configured to direct the remaining light along a last light path to a last one of the plurality of projectors; or a last variable reflective beam splitter configured to: divide the remaining light into two portions, and direct the two portions along two different light paths, to each of the last one of the plurality of projectors and the second last one of the plurality of projectors; and,
a plurality of variable reflective beam splitters located between the first variable beam splitter and the last reflective optical device along the light path, each of the plurality of variable reflective beam splitters configured to: receive previous light from a previous variable reflective beam splitter along the light path; direct one portion of the previous light along a respective light path to a respective one of the plurality of projectors; and direct another portion of the previous light to a successive one of the plurality of reflective optical devices;
wherein the reflectivity of each of the first variable reflective beam splitter, the plurality of variable reflective beam splitters, and the last variable reflective beam splitter is continuously variable from approximately 1% to approximately 100% to variably convey received light to respective projectors.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system in communication with each of the first variable reflective beam splitter, the plurality of variable reflective beam splitters, and the last variable reflective beam splitter, the control system configured to adjust the reflectivity of one or more of the plurality first variable reflective beam splitter, the plurality of variable reflective beam splitters, and the last variable reflective beam splitter to control a respective amount of light conveyed to each of the plurality of projectors.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first variable reflective beam splitter, the plurality of variable reflective beam splitters, and the last variable reflective beam splitter comprises one or more of: a variable neutral density filter and a digital micromirror device (DMD).
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the variable neutral density filter comprises a variable thickness optical coating.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the variable thickness optical coating comprises a dielectric coating.
6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the variable neutral density filter comprises a variable stepped filter.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of optical fiber cables each configured to convey light from one of the plurality of reflective optical devices to a respective one of the plurality of projectors.
8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of intermediate optics each configured to relay light from one of the plurality of reflective optical devices to a respective one of the plurality of optical fiber cables.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of intermediate optics is further configured to one or more of:
homogenize the light;
split the light into one or more wavelengths; and
collimate the light.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising relay optics located prior to the plurality of reflective optical devices along the light path.