Led illumination device with cubic zirconia lens

Abstract

A lens element has a curved surface mounted adjacent an LED for improving the light transmission efficiency and the dispersal pattern of radiation emitted by the LED.

1 - 52 . (canceled) 
   
   
       53 . An illumination device, comprising:
 a light emitting diode;   a generally hemispherical shaped lens having a flat surface positioned adjacent to a light emitting surface face of the light emitting diode; and   the hemispherical shaped lens having an index of refraction relative to light emitted by the diode greater than about 1.65.   
   
   
       54 . The illumination device of  claim 53  wherein the flat surface of the hemispherical shaped lens is in contact with the light emitting surface face of the light emitting diode. 
   
   
       55 . The illumination device of  claim 53  wherein the flat surface of the hemispherical shaped lens is positioned within a predetermined distance from the light emitting surface face of the light emitting diode, the predetermined distance being less than or equal to a diameter of the hemispherical shaped lens. 
   
   
       56 . The illumination device by  claim 53  and further comprising an intervening optically transparent material selected from the group consisting of fluid, grease, gel and elastomer having an index of refraction of less than about 1.50, the material filling a space between the flat surface of the hemispherical lens and the light emitting surface face of the light emitting diode.