A laser-excited phosphor light source and method includes a heat sink; a plurality of lasers, each mounted in thermal contact to the heat sink, wherein each of the plurality of lasers emits one or more first (e.g., blue) wavelengths. A crystal phosphor rod having two ends and at least one side face is operatively coupled to receive the laser light from one or more of the plurality of lasers. The rod emits light of one or more longer wavelengths. A compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) receives the light from the crystal phosphor rod. The light source outputs an output light beam that includes the light of one or more longer wavelengths from the first crystal phosphor rod and light of the one or more first (e.g., blue) wavelengths. Some embodiments include multiple phosphor light sources of different colors, and/or a blue light source not using phosphors.

A large-area, waveguide-based, high-speed ultraviolet and visible light photodetector system for optical wireless communication includes a substrate; plural, parallel, waveguides formed directly on the substrate and including a high quantum-yield wavelength-converting material of semiconductor nature; an optical coupling system optically connected to each one of the plural, parallel, waveguides; and a photodetector optically connected to the optical coupling system and configured to detect an outgoing light. The wavelength-converting material converts a first wavelength of an incoming light at high-speed, received by the plural, parallel, waveguides, into a second wavelength of the outgoing light. The first wavelength is different from the second wavelength, and the first and second wavelengths are between 200 and 800 nm.

The light emitting structure of the present invention includes a sheet-shaped structure which absorbs excitation light and emits light with wavelength conversion and which has a maximum emission wavelength of 400 nm or more; and an antireflection material provided on a side surface of the sheet-shaped structure.

A plastic scintillating fiber capable of detecting radiation having a weakly penetrating property is provided. A plastic scintillating fiber according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plastic optical fiber, and further includes a core containing at least one type of a fluorescent agent, a cladding layer having a refractive index lower than that of the core disposed at a center, and an outermost layer covering an outer peripheral surface of the cladding layer. The outermost layer contains a base material that generates scintillation light, and at least one type of a fluorescent agent that converts the scintillation light into light having a wavelength longer than that of the scintillation light.

An energy harvesting system is provided. The system includes a waveguide operable for trapping at least some light energy. The waveguide defines a surface and an edge. A photovoltaic cell is coupled to the surface or the edge of the waveguide. A waveguide redirecting material is provided on the surface of the waveguide. The waveguide redirecting material is formed of a solidified colored luminescent paint. The paint is configured to be applied and adhere to the surface of the waveguide and redirect light energy to the photovoltaic cell. A method of generating and demonstrating solar power using the system is also provided.

An illumination system includes: a laser array assembly including: a laser configured to generate a laser light; a crystal phosphor waveguide, adjacent to the laser and in the laser light, configured to: generate of a luminescent light based on receiving the laser light, and direct the luminescent light away from a base end; and a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC), coupled to the crystal phosphor waveguide opposite the base end, configured to: collect the luminescent light from the crystal phosphor waveguide, project the luminescent light away from the crystal phosphor waveguide.

An enhanced light diffusion film structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first light guide diffusion layer and a second light guide diffusion layer. The first light guide diffusion layer includes a first light guide diffusion material having a first degree of light guide diffusion to guide and diffuse incident light exited by the first substrate to form first-stage guided and diffused light. The second light guide diffusion layer includes a second light guide diffusion material having a second degree of light guide diffusion to further guide and diffuse the first-stage guided and diffused light exited by the first light guide diffusion layer to form second-stage guided and diffused light. The first degree of light guide diffusion of the first light guide diffusion material is relatively higher or lower than the second degree of light guide diffusion of the second light guide diffusion material.

A phosphorescent sight system is provided comprising a rear sight for disposition along a proximal portion of a slide substrate of a firearm and a front sight for disposition along a distal portion of the slide substrate. The sight system may further comprise an optical waveguide disposed within a waveguide cavity of the rear sight or the front sight. Further, a phosphorescent element may be disposed adjacent a proximal portion of the optical waveguide.

A substrate can include an optical light guide including a core. The core can include a fluorescent material in a content of greater than 0.5 wt. % for the total weight of the core. In an embodiment, the optical light guide can include a scintillator material. In another embodiment the core can include polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and a polyvinylidene difluoride cladding.

A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element, a light guide member surrounding the light-emitting element, a diffuser plate located on the light-emitting element and on the light guide member, and a metal pattern located at an upper surface of the diffuser plate. The diffuser plate contacts the light-emitting element and diffuses light emitted from the light-emitting element. A proportion of a region of the upper surface of the diffuser plate where the metal pattern is not located increases as a distance from the light-emitting element increases.