Patent Publication Number: US-11028997-B2

Title: Semi-cylindrical illuminator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/435,893, filed Jun. 10, 2019, and claims the benefit of priority U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/684,816, filed on Jun. 14, 2018, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an illuminator system and more particularly to an illumination system having a diffuser that delivers an optical transmission that is uniformly distributed across a wide angle of about 180°. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In automotive and aerospace displays, diffusers are used in light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems. Such systems use light to image objects on displays. In these systems, diffusers are crucial for enhancing viewing angles and enhancing the brightness and efficiency of displays used in avionic and automotive devices and in consumer electronics. There is a need for diffusers that provide a wide angle of distribution with a high transmission efficiency. 
     Many illumination systems include a diffuser as an optical component that evenly distributes white light in a uniform pattern of evenly distributed light with a minimum of bright spots, and is used in a variety of industrial applications. There is a need for diffusers that eliminate hot spots, color diffraction, and light scattering, to generate uniform beams of light in shaped beam patterns. 
     Many systems such as automotive LIDAR systems include illuminator systems that project a beam of light into a light transmission output having a beam path of 180.degree. or greater, where the light transmission output provides a uniform distribution of light in a desired shape. Vision/optical systems that require a very wide field of view, such as such as robotic, automotive, and gaming systems can require a light transmission having such a wide beam path of uniformly diffused light. 
     There is a need for a robust illumination system having diffuser suitable for laser applications, especially where high temperatures, laser power, and UV transmissions can have a negative impact on other surfaces. There is a need for diffusers that direct a beam of light accurately to a target, either for viewing or for data collection under such conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an illumination system which accepts a beam of collimated light travelling in a vertical direction and puts out a horizontal uniform illumination transmission having a viewing angle of up to 180.degree. In this illumination system, a laser beam or collimated beam of light enters a cylindrical member of the apparatus. Then light beams are internally reflected from a conical structure via total internal reflection (TIR) effects. A first half of the light is reflected to exit on one side of the cylindrical member through a diffuser; a cylinder being the member&#39;s macro structure and a diffuser being its micro structure. A second half of the light continues to be reflected off second and third angled surfaces in a TIR manner, to exit through the cylindrical member at a slightly displaced location. The horizontal direction of both light paths is spread 180 degrees uniformly. The light paths can travel through a diffuser chosen to be different values of an elliptical such as 10×1, 20×1, 30×1 etc., where the first number indicates the spread in the vertical direction (in degrees), for providing the light path with a vertical direction in a varying range of degrees. 
     In the subject invention, a light beam enters from the bottom of the illumination system as a collimated beam. The light beam hits a 45° TIR right circular conical surface at the top end of the illumination system. The portion of the light beam that strikes the right side of the angled conical surface spreads 180.degree. in the horizontal direction, on a first path and the light beam exits the side of the cylindrical surface. A diffuser, such as a 35° diffuser, can be applied to the cylindrical surface in the vertical direction in order to spread the light beam in the vertical direction. The light beam that strikes the left side of a first conical surface and hits a second angled surface on a second path. The light beam continues and hits a third angled surface, where it spreads towards the right of the diagram 180.degree. in the horizontal direction. The light beam exits the cylindrical surface, on second path, which is lower than the light beam on first path. 
     The subject invention allows for a very efficient and uniform spreading of light in a 180 degree spread. The only losses of light will be from the Fresnel surface reflection losses and material transmission. The entrance and exit losses can be further minimized by a thin film coating if desired. A uniform distribution for very high angles 100 to 180 degrees, is very difficult (or impossible) to achieve without significant light loss, using flat optics, since the severe angles start to violate TIR effects in refractive optics to escape the surface. The output cylindrical macro surface can have a diffuser attached for spreading the light in the vertical direction. This can be a classical holographic diffuser or a flat top diffuser, for example, to provide uniform distribution of the light in the vertical direction. 
     An embodiment of the invention relates to an illuminator comprising: a) a cylinder having a depression at a distal end of the cylinder, the depression having a right circular cone shape and a first sloped surface sloping between 40-60° from the distal end, and the cylinder having at least one diffuser; b) a first flaring skirt member depending from a first portion of the cylinder, the first flaring skirt member having a second sloped surface sloping between 40-60° from the distal end of the cylinder; and c) a second flaring skirt member depending from a second portion of the cylinder, the first flaring skirt member having a third sloped surface of sloping between 40-60° from a proximal end of the cylinder; the flaring skirt members meeting to define an equatorial ridge; each flaring skirt member having first and second side surfaces meeting the first and second side surfaces of the other flaring skirt member; such that when a light beam enters the proximal end of the cylinder, i) the light beam strikes a first portion of the first sloped surface and is reflected to exit the cylinder on a first path, or ii) the light beam strikes a second portion of the first sloped surface and is reflected against the second sloped surface, then the third sloped surface, and then exits the cylindrical member on a second path parallel to the first path; and such that at least one of the first and second paths pass through the diffuser. 
     An aspect of the illuminator includes: the first flaring skirt member depends from a half portion of the distal end of the cylinder; and the second flaring skirt member depends from a half portion of the proximal end of the cylinder. 
     Another aspect of the illuminator includes the second and third sloped surfaces being sloped between 44-46° 
     Yet another aspect of the illuminator includes the diffuser providing a vertical angle in the range of 0-35.degree. to the path passing through it. 
     An additional aspect of the illuminator includes a flat-top diffuser providing a vertical angle to the path passing through it, chosen from the following: 0.5, 1, 2, 3.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 degrees. 
     Another aspect of the illuminator includes: the first path being proximate to the distal end of the cylinder; the second path being proximate to the proximal end of the cylinder; and both paths being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to an illumination system comprising: a) a cylindrical member having: i) a sidewall comprising a diffuser; ii) a longitudinal axis; and iii) a top portion comprising a cavity having an inverted right-angled cone shape, the cavity including a first angled surface being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis; and b) a half-torus member adjacent to the cylindrical member, the half-torus member having: i) an inner radius adjacent to the cylindrical member; ii) a second angled surface extending outward and downward from the top portion of the cylindrical member; iii) a third angled surface extending outward and upward from a bottom portion of the cylindrical member; the second and third angled surfaces meeting to define an outer radius of the half-torus member; and iv) first and second end surfaces, each end surface connecting the second and third angled surfaces, and each end surface extending outward from the cylindrical member; such that a light beam entering the bottom portion of the cylindrical member hits the first angled surface and is reflected to exit through the cylindrical member; such that when the light beam strikes a first portion of the first angled surface, the light beam is reflected to exit the cylindrical member on a first path, the first path being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and when the light beam strikes a second portion of the first angled surface, the light beam reflects against the second angled surface, then the third angled surface, and then exits the cylindrical member on a second path parallel to the first path; and such that at least one of the first and second paths pass through the diffuser. 
     An aspect of the illumination system includes each of the first and second angled surfaces extend from the cylindrical member at an angle between 40-60°; and the second and third angled surfaces meet at an angle between 60-120° to define the outer radius of the half-torus member. 
     Another aspect of the illumination system includes each of the first and second angled surfaces extend from the cylindrical member at an angle between 44-46°; and the second and third angled surfaces meeting at a right angle to define the outer radius of the half-torus member. 
     An additional aspect of the illumination system includes the light beam being collimated when entering the cylindrical member. 
     Another aspect of the illumination system includes a flat-top diffuser providing a vertical angle in the range of 0-35° to the path passing through it. 
     Yet another aspect of the illumination system includes the diffuser providing a vertical angle to the path passing through it, chosen from the following: 0.5, 1, 2, 3.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 degrees. 
     An additional aspect of the illumination system including the inverted angled surface being divided into a first half section distal from the semicircular body member and a second half section proximate to the semicircular body member; such that when the light beam strikes the first half section of the inverted angled surface, the light beam is reflected to exit the cylindrical body member on a first path through the top portion of the cylinder; and when the light beam strikes the second half section of the inverted angled surface, the light beam reflects against the semicircular upper segment, then the semicircular lower segment, and then exits the cylindrical body member on a second path through the bottom portion of the cylinder, the first and second paths being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to an illumination system including a) a cylindrical body member having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a longitudinal axis; the top portion having a depression in a shape of an inverted right circular cone with an inverted angled surface, the inverted angled surface being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, and at least one of the top and bottom portions comprising a diffuser; and b) a semicircular body member adjacent to the cylindrical body member, the semicircular body member having: i) an semicircular upper segment flaring downward from the cylindrical body member; ii) a semicircular lower segment flaring upward from the cylindrical body member, the semicircular segments meeting and defining a semicircular equator; and iii) first and second side surfaces attaching to opposite sides of the cylindrical body member, the side surfaces defining a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body member; such that a light beam entering the bottom portion of the cylindrical body member hits the inverted angled surface and spreads in a 360° angle direction; and such that when the light beam strikes a first portion of the inverted angled surface, the light beam is reflected to exit the cylindrical body member on a first path; and when the light beam strikes a second portion of the inverted angled surface, the light beam reflects against the semicircular upper segment, then the semicircular lower segment, and then exits the cylindrical body member on a second path parallel to the first path; and such that at least one of the first and second paths pass through the diffuser. 
     An aspect of the illumination system includes the semicircular segments flaring at a 45.degree. angle from the cylindrical body member; and the semicircular segments meeting at a right angle at the semicircular equator. 
     Another aspect of the illumination system such that when the light beam strikes one half of the inverted angled surface, the light beam is reflected to exit the cylindrical body member on a first path; and when the light beam strikes the other half of the inverted angled surface, the light beam reflects against the semicircular upper segment, then the semicircular lower segment, and then exits the cylindrical body member on a second path parallel to the first path. 
     An additional aspect of the illumination system is that the second half of the inverted angled surface faces the semicircular body member. 
     Another aspect of the illumination system includes the semicircular segments flaring at an angle between 44-46°. 
     Yet another aspect of the illumination system includes the diffuser providing an outer surface of the cylindrical body. 
     Still another aspect of the illumination system includes the diffuser providing a vertical angle in the range of 0-35° to the path passing through it. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention and together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the invention. 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of the illumination system, showing the cylindrical member adjacent to the semicircular member, with the illumination system providing a structure through which light is diffused and reflected. Individual beams of light can enter through a first end of the illumination system, then be reflected off the surface of a cone-shaped depression. Depending on which portion of the depression the light beam strikes, the light beam can be reflected once to exit via near the second end of the illumination system, or the light beam can be reflected off multiple surfaces of the illumination system, to exit near the first end of the illumination system. Regardless of which pathway the light beam follows, the exiting paths of the light beams are preferably parallel to each other. 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  shows perspective views of embodiments of a cylindrical member of the illumination system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a semicircular or semi-annular member of the illumination system. 
         FIG. 4A  shows a representation of an embodiment of the illumination system, including a cylindrical member adjacent to a semicircular member. 
         FIG. 4B  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  shows a top perspective view of an illumination system. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of an illumination system, with portions of the cylindrical member and semicircular member visible. 
         FIG. 7  shows a front perspective view of an illumination system, with the semicircular member behind the cylindrical member. 
         FIG. 8  shows a bottom perspective view of an illumination system, with semicircular member engaging the cylindrical member. 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic of multiple beams of light entering a proximal end of the illumination system, traversing the cylindrical member to strike the surface of the inverted cone-shaped top surface of the cylindrical member. Light beams striking the side of the inverted cone distal from the semicircular member are reflected to exit the illumination system through the cylindrical member on pathways near the distal end of the cylindrical member. Light beams striking the side of the inverted cone proximal to the semicircular member are reflected to strike the upper and lower surfaces of the semicircular member, and then to exit the illumination system through the cylindrical member on pathways near the proximal end of the cylindrical member. 
         FIG. 10  shows an alternate view of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  shows a top view of the illumination system and illustrates the distribution of light beams exiting the illumination system. The light beams have a 180 degree distribution in the horizontal direction. 
         FIG. 12  shows a top view of the illumination system and illustrates the distribution of light beams exiting the illumination system. The light beams have a 180 degree distribution in the horizontal direction and a 5 degree distribution in the vertical direction. 
         FIG. 13  shows the measurement strength of the signal obtained by the diffused light shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  shows a top view of the illumination system and illustrates the distribution of light beams exiting the illumination system. The light beams have a 180 degree distribution in the horizontal direction and a 10 degree distribution in the vertical direction. 
         FIG. 15  shows the measurement strength of the signal obtained by the diffused light shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  shows a top view of the illumination system and illustrates the distribution of light beams exiting the illumination system. The light beams have a 180 degree distribution in the horizontal direction and a 20 degree distribution in the vertical direction. 
         FIG. 17  shows the measurement strength of the signal obtained by the diffused light shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  shows a top view of the illumination system and illustrates the distribution of light beams exiting the illumination system. The light beams have a 180 degree distribution in the horizontal direction and a 30 degree distribution in the vertical direction. 
         FIG. 19  shows the measurement strength of the signal obtained by the diffused light shown in  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiment. 
     The features of the invention disclosed herein in the description, drawings, and claims can be significant, both individually and in any desired combinations, for the operation of the invention in its various embodiments. Features from one embodiment can be used in other embodiments of the invention. 
     Referring to the Figures,  FIGS. 1-19  show embodiments of an illumination system. 
     Embodiment 1 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4-10 , the illumination system  10  comprises a cylindrical member  20  and a semicircular member  40  adjacent to each other. 
     The cylindrical member  20  can have an elongated body that is generally tubular or rod-shaped, such as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B . The cylindrical member  20  has a top portion  21 , bottom portion  25 , and a central portion  23  therebetween. The cylindrical member  20  has a top surface  24  opposed to a bottom surface  26  with a sidewall  28  extending between the top and bottom ends  24 ,  26 . The cylindrical member  20  is preferably symmetrical about a longitudinal axis; preferably, the top and bottom surfaces  24 ,  26  are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In a cross-section formed by a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the cylindrical member  20  can define a round or oblong shape or outline, though a circular shape is preferred. 
     The top surface  24  of the cylindrical member  20  includes a depression  30  or cavity in a central portion of the top surface  24 . The depression  30  has the shape of an inverted cone, so that the top edge of the depression  30  is contiguous with the top surface  24  of the cylindrical member  20 . The top edge can possess a round perimeter  32 ; preferably the perimeter  32  of the depression  30  is contiguous with the outer perimeter  34  of the top surface  24 . The perimeter of the depression  30  can also be the perimeter of the top surface  24 . The surface  29  of the depression can extend inward from its perimeter  32 , defining an angle, preferably between 10-80°, 30-60°, 40-50°, or most preferably at approximately 45° with respect to the top surface  24  (or with respect to a plane defined by the top edge  24 ). 
     The depression  30  or cavity has an inverted cone shape (and so too the depression surface  29 ), so that the tip  36  of the depression  30 , extends into an interior portion of the cylindrical member. Preferably, the cone-shaped depression  30  has the shape of a right-angle cone with the tips defining an angle that is approximately 90°; that is, a cone that has its apex aligned directly above the center of the cone&#39;s base. Here, the apex can intersect a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member  20 . The central longitudinal axis of the cone-shaped depression  30  can share the same longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member  20 . Preferably, the cone-shaped depression  30  is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member  20 . 
     The illumination system  10  includes an additional structure adjacent to the first cylindrical member  30 ; it includes a second member  40  having a shape similar to a semicircle, or a portion of a torus. Where a torus has a three-dimensional annular or ring shape, the semicircular member  40  generally has a C-shape or a shape similar to that of one-half of a torus (as defined by a plane running along a longitudinal axis of the torus), such as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4A-4B . The semicircular member  40  has an inner radial surface  42  and an outer radial surface  44  parallel to and encircling the inner radial surface  42 . In the illumination system  10 , the inner radial surface  42  is adjacent to or in communication with the sidewall  28  of the cylindrical member  20 . 
     The semicircular member  40  includes an upper angled surface  46  and a lower angled surface  48  that meet each other. The upper angled surface  46  angles outward and downward from the top portion  21  of the cylindrical member  20 . The lower angled surface  48  angles outward and upward from the bottom portion  25  of the cylindrical member  20 . The upper and lower angled surfaces  46 ,  48  meet each other, defining an angle preferably between 45-135°, 60-120°, 80-100°, or most preferably at approximately 90° The angled surfaces  46 ,  48  can have flat surfaces, curved surfaces, or irregular surfaces. 
     Preferably, the cylindrical and semicircular members  20 ,  40  have heights that are similar or the same. The upper and lower angled or sloped surfaces  46 ,  48  can meet to define a point or ridge  50 . The ridge  50  can define, or run along, the outer radius or outer radial surface  44  of the semicircular member  40 . The ridge  50  can lie in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member  20 . The ridge  50  can define an equatorial line encircling a central portion or the midline of the semicircular member  40 . The ridge  50  can define an equatorial line encircling a central portion or the midline of the cylindrical member  20 . 
     The semicircular member  40  can be adjacent to a portion of the sidewall  28 ; preferably, the semicircular member  40  communicates with one longitudinal portion of the sidewall  28 , extending between and communicating with the top portion  21  through the bottom portion  25  of the cylindrical member  20 . Preferably, the semicircular member  40  communicates with approximately one half of the outer surface of the sidewall  28 . 
     If the semicircular member  40  completely encircled the outer surface of the cylindrical member  20 , its exterior surface would include only the angled upper and lower surfaces  46 ,  48  and the ridge  50  where the angled upper and lower or sloped surfaces  46 ,  48  join each other. In embodiments of the present invention, such as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B, 5, and 7 , the semicircular member  40  encircles a corresponding portion of the cylindrical member  20 . If the semicircular member  40  defines a half-torus or a half-circular curve, then the semicircular member  40  communicates with one-half of the sidewall  28 . That is, the inner radial surface  42  is adjacent to or in communication with the one-half of the outer surface of the sidewall  28  of the cylindrical member  20 . If the semicircular member  40  defines a quarter-torus or a quarter-circular curve, then the semicircular member  40  communicates with one-quarter of the sidewall  28 , and so on. 
     Where the semicircular member  40  encircles less than all of the cylindrical member  20 , the upper angled surface  46  extends from the top portion  21  of the cylinder and ends at the ridge  50 . The upper angled surface  46  includes first and second end surfaces  52 ,  54  extending between and connecting the sidewall  28  and the ridge  50 . Similarly, the lower angled surface  48  extends from the bottom portion  25  of the cylinder and ends at the ridge  50 . The lower angled surface  48  includes first and second end surfaces  58 ,  60  extending between and joining the sidewall  28  and the ridge  50 . The first ends surfaces  52 ,  58  can form a continuous or contiguous first side surface  62  for the semicircular member  40 . The second ends surfaces  54 ,  60  can form a continuous or contiguous second side surface  64  for the semicircular member  40 . The first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  can define surfaces that are parallel to each other. The first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  can define a common plane that is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member  20 . The first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  preferably define a longitudinal line along the sidewall  28  and extend outward from the sidewall  28  at a right angle. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  can have a triangular shape. Where the upper and lower angled surfaces  46 ,  48  meet at a 90°. angle, the first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  can define right triangles. The first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  can have a triangular tip  66  that contacts the ridge  50 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the angled upper surface  46  can be said to define the upper surface of a semicircular upper segment  70  flaring outward and downward from the top portion  21  of the cylindrical body member  40 . The angled lower surface  48  can be said to define the lower surface of a semicircular lower segment  72  flaring outward and upward from the bottom portion  25  of the cylindrical body member  40 . As the angled upper and lower angled surfaces  46 ,  48  meet to define an equatorial ridge  50 , the semicircular upper and lower segments  70 ,  72  can meet to define an equatorial plane that extends to intersect the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body member  20 , preferably through the central portion  23  of the cylindrical body member  20 . That equatorial plane is preferably oriented to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body member  20 . 
     The semicircular upper and lower segments  70 ,  72  can define upper and lower flaring skirt members  74 ,  76  depending from portions of the cylindrical member  20  to define the semicircular member  20 . The semicircular member  40  can include an flaring skirt member  74  and a lower flaring skirt member  76  that meet each other at an angled or pointed ridge  50 . The upper flaring skirt member  74  slopes or flares outward and downward from the top surface  24  (or the distal end) of the cylindrical member  20 . The lower flaring skirt member  76  slopes or flares outward and upward from the bottom surface  26  (or the proximal end) of the cylindrical member  20 . The upper and lower flaring skirt members  74 ,  76  can define an angle preferably between 45-145°, 60-120°, 80-100°, or most preferably at approximately 90° between them and the adjoining portion of the cylindrical member  20 . 
     The upper and lower flaring skirt member  74 ,  76  meet each other, defining an angle preferably between 45-145°, 60-120°, 80-100°, or most preferably at approximately 90°. 
     Each flaring skirt member  74 ,  76  can include an interior surface that joins the interior surface of the other flaring skirt member  74 ,  76 . Each flaring skirt member  74 ,  76  can include first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  that extend between the cylindrical member  20  and the ridge  50 . Preferably, the first and second sides surfaces  62 ,  64  of one flaring skirt member (e.g.  74 ) are continuous or contiguous with the first and second sides surfaces  62 ,  64   24  of the other flaring skirt member (e.g.  76 ). 
     The illumination system  10  can comprise components that are solid or define a structure with a hollow interior. 
     Briefly, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9-10 , when a light beam  333  enters the bottom portion  25  of the cylindrical member  20 , it can strike the angled surface  29  of the depression  30  and be reflected, directly or indirectly, to exit the sidewall  28  of the cylindrical member  20 . When a light beam  333  enters the proximal end  26  of the cylindrical member  20 , i) the light beam  333  strikes a first portion of the first sloped or angled depression surface  29  and is reflected to exit the cylindrical member  20  on a first path, or ii) the light beam  333  strikes a second portion of first sloped or angled depression surface  29  and is reflected against the second upper sloped surface  46 , then the third lower sloped surface  48 , and then exits the cylindrical member  20  on a second path parallel to the first path. 
     Embodiment 2 
     In some embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 2B  the subject invention includes an illuminator  10  having a cylinder  20 , with an inverted right circular cone  82  with sides  84  of approximately 45.degree. at a distal end  88  of the cylinder  20  and an outwardly pointing cone  40  attached to a side  86 . The cylinder  20  is symmetrical about an axis and the inverted right circular cone  82  is symmetrical about the axis. A second angled surface  46  is on one side  86  of the cylinder  20  and a third angled surface  48  is on the same side  86  of the cylinder  20 , each with a slope of approximately 45°, wherein a light beam  333  entering the cylinder  20  at a proximal end  90  of the cylinder  20  hits the inverted right circular cone  82  and exits the outer cylindrical sidewall surface  96  on a first path  102 . The light beam  333  on the one side  86  of the cylinder  20  hits the second angled surface  46  and continues on to hit the third angled surface  48  to then travel through the cylinder  20  and exit the cylinder  20  on a second path parallel  104  to the first path  102 . 
     As shown in as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9-10 , the inverted right circular cone  82  extends into an interior portion  94  of the cylinder  20 . The inverted cone  82  preferably has a right angle at one end and an external cone on a side. The cylindrical part  20  of the structure is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis. The outwardly pointing cone  40  can be located adjacent to or joining the outer side  86  of the cylinder  20 . The base of the outwardly pointing cone  40  contacts the outer side  86  of the cylinder  20  and extends outward. The outwardly pointing cone  40  extends around a central portion  23  of the cylinder  20 , with the tip or apex defining a curved path surrounding a portion of the cylinder  20 . Following the apex from one end to the other, the apex can define a ridge  50  encircling a portion of the cylinder. 
     Using the Illumination System 
     As shown in as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9-10 , a beam of light  333  can be from provided from a laser, LED, synchrotron, lenses and mirrors, or other source. The light or other electromagnetic radiation (e.g. x-rays) should be collimated (having rays that travel in parallel paths); that is, the light or other electromagnetic radiation should travel in parallel rays that spread minimally as it travels. The light should also have a symmetric shape, preferably a circularly symmetric shape. 
     The light beam  333  enters the illumination system  10  from the bottom end or bottom surface  26  of the cylindrical member  20  and travels toward the top end or surface  24  (light travels from south to north). The entry of the light beam  333  is nominally flat. If the light beam  333  is not yet collimated, the bottom surface  26  can be made into a Fresnel lens or classical lens (or other) to collimate the light beam  333  as it enters and travels upwards inside the cylindrical member  20 . 
     After entry into the cylindrical member  20 , the next surface the light beam  333  will strike is the circular cone  82  on the top end or surface  24  (north surface) of the cylindrical member  20 , such as shown in  FIG. 1 . This circular cone  82  has a longitudinal axis (similar to global axis of rotation) of symmetry as defined in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the light beam  333  will strike is the depression surface  29  located in the top end or surface  24  (north surface) of the cylindrical member  20 , such as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The circular cone  82  is preferably a right circular conical solid component or member. 
     After the light beam  333  strikes one of these this conical surfaces (e.g.,  82 ,  29 ), the TIR action will spread the light beam  333  in a full 360 degrees direction. The vector directions originate from the center of a sphere or globe and travel in an equatorial direction. This is shown in  FIG. 1  with the top horizontal vectors (travelling left and right, or west and east, from the conical structures within the cylindrical member  20 ). 
     After striking a conical structure, the light beam  333  travels to the right or eastern direction (180 degrees of the 360 degrees, first path  102 ) will next strike the cylinder sidewall surface  96 . The cylindrical member can comprise a material that acts as a diffuser. 
     A diffuser  98  on first path  102  can be applied to this cylindrical surface  96  to cause the light beam  333  to spread in a vertical direction, such as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The amount or degree of spread can be customized with either a standard light shaping diffuser or a flat top diffuser or the like. The diffuser  98  has a very low angle (such as less than 20 degrees, less than 10 degrees, less than 5 degrees, or 1 degree or less) in the horizontal direction and a custom angle in the vertical direction. The diffuse light  335  exiting the cylindrical member  20  is now travelling 180 degrees in the horizontal direction and a custom angle in the vertical direction. 
     A light beam  333  that is reflected to the opposite direction (to the left or 180 degrees of the 360 degrees, second path  104 ) will next strike another conical structure provided by the semicircular member  40 . As the light beam strikes the semicircular member  40 , it is reflected against first the upper angled or sloped surface  46 , which directs it to be reflected against the lower angled or sloped surface  48 . Where the upper and lower angled surfaces meet at an 90° angle, the light beam  333  will be reflected at 90.degree. angles from these surfaces. 
     When the light beam  333  is reflected against the conical structure and then the upper angled surface  46 , it undergoes another total terminal reflection and is reflected in a from a vector originally travelling north to a vector travelling south. Next, the light beam (from second path  104 ) will strike lower angled surface  48  in  FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 8 . The reflection from the TIR will send the light beam  333  to the right (or east). This light beam  333  will spread out in 180 degrees horizontal direction. The light beam  333  will head towards to be output via cylindrical sidewall surface  96 . 
     A diffuser  98  can be applied to this cylindrical surface  96  to cause the light beam  333  on second path  104  to spread in a vertical direction. The amount or degree of spread can be customized with either a standard light shaping diffuser or a flat top diffuser or the like. The diffuser  98  has a very low angle (such as less than 20 degrees, less than 10 degrees, less than 5 degrees, or 1 degree or less) in the horizontal direction and a custom angle in the vertical direction. The diffuse light  335  exiting the cylindrical member  20  is now travelling 
     The light beams  333  exit the output cylindrical surface  96 , whether the light beams  333  travel first path  102  or second path  104 . For light beams  333  travelling both paths, the characteristic directional spread of the output light diffusion will be identical. The only difference is the exit location of the path on the cylindrical member  20 . Light beams  333  travelling on first path  102  will exit the top portion  24  of the cylindrical member  20 . Light beams  333  travelling on second path  104  will exit the bottom portion  25  of the cylindrical member  20 . Although Paths  1  and Paths  2  are described as singular pathways,  FIG. 9  reveals that each path covers a range of exit locations, rather than a single discrete pathway. However, the output area on the cylindrical member  20  defined by first path  102  is discrete, separate, and non-overlapping with the output area on the cylindrical member  20  defined by second path  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the inverted angled depression surface  29  is divided into a first half section distal from the semicircular member  20  and a second half section proximate to the semicircular body member  20 . The second half of the inverted angled depression surface  29  preferably faces the semicircular body member  40 . 
     When the light beam  333  strikes the first half section of the inverted angled depression surface  29  distal from the semicircular body member  20 , the light beam  333  is reflected to exit the cylindrical body member  20  on a first path through the top portion  21  of the cylinder  20 ; and when the light beam  333  strikes the second half section of inverted angled depression surface  29 , the light beam  333  reflects against the semicircular upper segment  70 , then the semicircular lower segment  72 , and then exits the cylindrical body member  20  on a second path through the bottom portion  25  of the cylinder  20 , the first and second paths being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member  20 . 
     Utilizing this illuminator  10 , since the majority of light undergoes TIR, the only losses of light (other than material transmission) are believed to occur during the entry and exit of the light beam  333  if the illuminator  10  has no coating. This is a highly efficient system since most optical systems just cut off the light which does not go in the direction desired with an aperture stop. In some embodiments, the exterior surfaces of the cylindrical member  20 , conical depression  29  or the semicircular member  40 , or other exterior surfaces of the illuminator  10 , can include a film or coating  99 , such as shown in  FIGS. 6-7 . Such coating  99  can provide enhancements, such as improved reflection or decreased scatter in the travelling light beam  333 . 
     The subject invention allows for a very efficient and uniform spreading of light in a 180 degree spread. The only losses will be from the Fresnel surface reflection losses and material transmission. The entrance and exit losses can be further minimized by a thin film coating if desired. The illuminator  10  could optionally be coated with anti-reflection coating; hardness coating; bandpass filters, wavelength filters, scratch-resistant coatings, oxides, and the like. 
     A uniform distribution for very high angles 100 to 180 degrees, is very difficult (or impossible) to achieve without significant light loss, using flat optics, since the severe angles start to violate TIR effects in refractive optics to escape the surface. 
     The illumination system  10  can be molded or made in size, as long as it captures the incoming collimated light, since the TIR angles of the surfaces are essential features of this invention. Incoming light beams  333  that are rotationally symmetric will generate output light transmissions  335  that having uniform brightness and distribution. 
     The output cylindrical macro surface  96  can have a diffuser  98  attached which spreads the light in the vertical direction. Diffusers can be supplied as strips, sheets, films, or the like, to convert a beam of light from a focused or collimated beam into a preferred shape. For example, diffusers can convert a collimated beam into a light transmission having a predetermined shape, such as circular, elliptical, or extreme elliptical which can resemble a flattened or elongated bar). Diffusers can cause a beam of light to spread in a vertical or horizontal direction; for example, providing a light transmission spreading in a horizontal direction for a wide angle of distribution, such as 180 degrees, or for narrower angles, such less than 35 degrees. Ideally, an efficient diffuser transmits most or all of the light passing through it. 
     The diffuser  98  can be a classical holographic diffuser, such as a light shaping diffuser of angle “A”×1 degree, where “A”, is an angle in the vertical direction, selected by the customer. As shown in  FIGS. 11-19 , the diffuser  98  can be a “A”×1 degrees elliptical diffuser so that the angle “A” is in the vertical direction and the 1 degree is in the horizontal or direction of the 180 degree spread. For example, the diffuser  98  can have an angle in the range of 0-90, 0-60, 0-45, 0-35, or 0-30 degrees. The diffuser  98  can be applied as a vertical strip or elongated surface, with the longitudinal axis in the vertical direction or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member  20  in order to spread the light in a vertical direction, the diffused light transmission  335  having at an angle of 0.5, 1, 2, 3.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 degrees in the vertical direction relative to the cylindrical surface in order to spread the light beam uniformly in the vertical direction (preferably while the light transmission  335  has a 180 degree spread in the horizontal direction). 
     Optionally, the diffuser  98  can be a flat top diffuser distribution, where the vertical direction is also uniform. This allows the flexibility in the design to customize the output distribution. The final output will be “A”×180 degrees. The diffuser  98  can be a flat-top diffuser providing a vertical angle in the range of 0-90, 0-60, 0-45, 0-35, or 0-30 degrees to the diffused light transmission  335 . Such a flat-top diffuser  98  can provide an angle of 0.5, 1, 2, 3.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 degrees in the vertical direction to the cylindrical surface (or relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member  20 ) for transmitting the light beam in the vertical direction. 
     The material of the cylinders and cones (e.g., cylindrical and semicircular members  20 ,  40 ) of the subject invention is a polymer which will propagate light in the media, such as acrylic, polycarbonate, zeonex or any other material which is transparent to the wavelength of interest. The material can include transparent plastic materials of construction: acrylic, PC, poly-olefin, POC, PE, PET, polyurethane, and mixtures and blends thereof; could also be glass materials, inorganic glasses, transparent ceramics, and mixtures thereof. The main purpose is choice of material is to make the form functional and inexpensive. The material must have an optical index of refraction high enough for Total Internal Reflection (TIR) to operate at 45 degrees angle of incidence, therefore, using Snell&#39;s Law, the index of refraction must be greater than square root of 2 (1.4142). 
     The wavelengths of interest include, but are not limited to, ultraviolet, visible, near infrared, and infrared lights and includes electromagnetic energy. 
     Light sources providing the light beams  333  include light-emitting diodes (LED), lasers, laser diodes, gas lasers, SLEDs, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSEL), CSELs, organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), QLEDs, fire, lamps, incandescent lamp, mercury lamp, metal halide lamp, or any other light source that could be collimated. Light source could also be collimated using a fiber/lens assembly. 
     It is preferred that the cylindrical and semicircular members  20 ,  40  be made of the same material. The cylindrical and semicircular members  20 ,  40  can be manufactured as separate components or comprise a unitary structure. 
     The illumination system  10  can be of any size, provided it is large enough to capture the incoming light beams  333 . Overall, the size of the illumination system  10  could be scaled geometrically. The illumination system  10  could be size approximately 1 cubic millimeter through 1 cubic meter, but is preferably configured to accept a collimated source beam  333  of approximately 1 mm to 1 cm in diameter or width. 
     The illumination system  10  can be coupled to other components to provide a variety of functions. For example, the illumination system  10  can be configured to rotate, with or without the light source rotating, to create a scanning device. Some embodiments. A illumination device could incorporate an illumination system for proving light transmissions  335  having an angle of 360 degrees, eliminating the need for scanning. 
     Specific embodiments of a illumination system  10  according to the present invention have been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention can be made and used. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of this invention and its different aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that this invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. Features described in one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments. It is understood to encompass the present invention and any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.