Patent ID: 7386214

Claim:
An optical homogenizing and combining apparatus, comprising: a one piece hollow tubular body having a first input leg, a second input leg, and an output leg, the first input leg, the second input leg, and the output leg each having a polygonal cross-section with five or more sides and a highly reflective interior surface, with the first input leg, the second input leg, and the output leg each further having a width to length ratio range of approximately 1:5 to 1:7; wherein the first input leg is configured to receive a first light beam having a first intensity and spectral content that is reflected within the first input leg to provide a first leg output beam, the second input leg is configured to receive a second light beam having a second intensity and spectral content that is reflected within the second input leg to provide a second leg output beam; and wherein the output leg is configured to receive the first and second leg output beams, which are combined and reflected at least five times in the output leg to provide an output beam that is a combination of the first intensity and spectral content and the second intensity and spectral content and having a top hat profile.