Planar remote phosphor illumination apparatus

Abstract

In various embodiments, an illumination apparatus features spatially separated input and output regions, a light source, a phosphor for light conversion, and an out-coupling structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . An illumination apparatus comprising:
 a waveguide having (i) top and bottom opposed surfaces, (ii) a side surface spanning the top and bottom surfaces, (iii) an input region for receiving light, and (iv) spatially separated from the input region, an output region for emitting light, the output region having an output surface comprising at least a portion of the top surface of the waveguide;   at least partially embedded within the bottom surface of the waveguide in the input region proximate the side surface, a light source for emitting light into the input region;   disposed on at least one of the top surface or the side surface of the waveguide in the input region, a layer of phosphor material for converting a portion of light emitted from the light source to a different wavelength; and   an out-coupling structure, disposed in the output region, for causing light to be emitted from the output surface.   
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the output surface comprises only a portion of the top surface of the waveguide. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the side surface of the waveguide is perpendicular to the top surface of the waveguide. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the waveguide comprises silicone. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the out-coupling structure is disposed at the bottom surface of the waveguide. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the waveguide is substantially planar. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the output surface is substantially planar. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein no phosphor material is disposed within the output region or on the output surface. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the layer of phosphor material is disposed on the top surface of the waveguide. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the layer of phosphor material is also disposed on the side surface of the waveguide. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the layer of phosphor material is disposed on the side surface of the waveguide. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising one or more reflectors (i) disposed over a portion of the top surface of the waveguide and/or (ii) disposed over the side surface of the waveguide. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein each reflector is disposed over at least a portion of the layer of phosphor material. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the light source is disposed on a substrate, a top surface of the substrate (i) facing the waveguide and (ii) being reflective. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
         58 . An illumination apparatus comprising:
 a waveguide having (i) top and bottom opposed surfaces, (ii) a first side surface spanning the top and bottom surfaces, (iii) a second side surface, opposite the first side surface, spanning the top and bottom surfaces, (iv) a first input region for receiving light, (v) a second input region for receiving light, and (vi) spatially separated from the first and second input regions, an output region for emitting light, the output region having an output surface comprising at least a portion of the top surface of the waveguide;   at least partially embedded within the bottom surface of the waveguide in the first input region proximate the first side surface, a first light source for emitting light into the first input region;   at least partially embedded within the bottom surface of the waveguide in the second input region proximate the second side surface, a second light source for emitting light into the second input region;   disposed on at least one of the top surface or the side surface of the waveguide in the first input region, a first layer of phosphor material for converting a portion of light emitted from the first light source to a different wavelength;   disposed on at least one of the top surface or the side surface of the waveguide in the second input region, a second layer of phosphor material for converting a portion of light emitted from the second light source to a different wavelength; and   an out-coupling structure, disposed in the output region, for causing light to be emitted from the output surface.   
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the output surface comprises only a portion of the top surface of the waveguide. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein:
 the first side surface of the waveguide is perpendicular to the top surface of the waveguide; and   the second side surface of the waveguide is perpendicular to the top surface of the waveguide.   
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the output surface is substantially planar. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , further comprising one or more reflectors (i) disposed over the first layer of phosphor material and/or (ii) disposed over the second layer of phosphor material.