High efficiency optical combiner for multiple non-coherent light sources

Abstract

An optical combiner that combines light from a plurality non-coherent light sources and directs it to a single output is described. The non-coherent light sources are arranged within a housing in a linear fashion, with light emitted from at least two of the non-coherent light sources directed towards a focusing lens by reflection from wavelength-selective mirrors, with the focus of the focusing lens directed to an input of an optical waveguide. Reflected light from at least one non-coherent light source passes through at least one wavelength-selective mirror that reflects light from a different non-coherent light source. A terminal non-coherent light source passes through all the wavelength-selective mirrors. Emitted light is transmitted or reflected along a plurality of optical axes that are parallel but offset to correct for refraction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for combining light from different light sources, comprising:
 a focusing lens aligned to provide a focal point along a primary optical axis;   a first non-coherent light source configured to emit a first wavelength, a second non-coherent light source configured to emit a second wavelength, and a third non-coherent light source configured to emit a third wavelength;   a first dichroic mirror positioned relative to the first light source along a first axis and aligned along the primary optical axis, configured to at least partially reflect the first wavelength;   a second dichroic mirror positioned relative to the second light source along a second axis and aligned along a secondary optical axis that is parallel to the primary optical axis, configured to at least partially reflect the second wavelength,   wherein the third non-coherent light source is aligned along a tertiary optical axis that is parallel to the primary optical axis, such that the emitted second wavelength passes through the first dichroic mirror and the third wavelength passes through both the second dichroic mirror and the first dichroic mirror.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary optical axis is offset from the primary optical axis by a first offset distance, wherein the first offset distance is essentially equal to a first distance that the second wavelength is refracted upon passing through the first dichroic mirror. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tertiary optical axis is offset from the primary optical axis by a second offset distance, wherein the second offset distance is essentially equal to a second distance that the third wavelength is refracted upon passing through both the second dichroic mirror and the first dichroic mirror. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first collimating lens positioned between the first non-coherent light source and the first dichroic mirror, a second collimating lens positioned between the second non-coherent light source and the second dichroic mirror, and a third collimating lens positioned between the third non-coherent light source and the second dichroic mirror. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the focal point aligns with an inlet end of an optical waveguide. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first wavelength is an ultraviolet wavelength. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the first collimating lens comprises sapphire. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first wavelength is a red or infrared wavelength. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first non-coherent light source, the second non-coherent light source, and the third non-coherent light source is an LED. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a waveguide with an inlet facet. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the inlet facet is positioned at or near the focal point of the focusing lens.