Patent ID: 6993242

Claim:
An optical device for collecting light from a light source and outputting the light from the optical device, comprising: a base layer of optical index of refraction n 1 with a first and second surface converging to define at least one angle of inclination, the light exiting said base layer when the light being reflected therein decreases its angle relative to the normal to at least one of said first and second surfaces and achieves an angle of incidence less than a critical angle θ c relative to normals to said surfaces; a first layer of index of refraction n 2 wherein said first layer is coupled optically to said base layer and has an optical index of refraction such that an effective optical dielectric interface is formed between said base layer and said first layer and said interface has a greater critical angle θ c than another critical angle θ a characteristic of an ambient interface with said base layer to enable the light to enter said first layer after output from said base layer when the light in said base layer achieves the angle of incidence less than the critical angle θ c characteristic of the effective optical interface; and A redirecting layer for controlling angular location and intensity of the light being output from the optical device.