초록 ▼

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to enhancing the brightness of displays that employ illumination systems. In some embodiments, the illumination systems include light guides, diffractive microstructure, and light-turning features. The diffractive microstructure may be configured t

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to enhancing the brightness of displays that employ illumination systems. In some embodiments, the illumination systems include light guides, diffractive microstructure, and light-turning features. The diffractive microstructure may be configured to receive ambient light at a first angle and produce diffracted light at a second angle greater than the first angle and greater than the critical angle for of light guide. The light is thereby guided within the light guide. The light-turning features may be configured to turn the light guided within the light guide out of a light guide and onto, for example, a spatial light modulator at near normal incidence.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An illumination apparatus comprising:a light guide that guides light propagating therein at an angle greater than a critical angle for the light guide and ejects light from the light guide to provide illumination;diffractive microstructure disposed to receive an ambient light

What is claimed is: 1. An illumination apparatus comprising:a light guide that guides light propagating therein at an angle greater than a critical angle for the light guide and ejects light from the light guide to provide illumination;diffractive microstructure disposed to receive an ambient light at a first angle smaller than said critical angle and to diffract said ambient light to produce diffracted light at a second larger angle, such that said diffracted light propagates through the light guide; andlight-turning features configured to turn the diffracted light and direct the turned light out of the light guide,wherein the light guide, the diffractive microstructure, and the light-turning features are disposed with respect to a spatial light modulator such that light ejected from the light guide illuminates said spatial light modulator, wherein said spatial light modulator comprises a MEMS device, wherein said MEMS device comprises interferometric modulators, wherein said MEMS device comprises first and second reflective surfaces, one of which is movable with respect to the other.