An optical device and systems using an optical device are provided, where the optical device may be configured for collimating incoming light rays. The optical device may include a host medium substantially comprised of a transparent material and an array of substantially transparent structures embedded within the host medium. The structures of the array each include a convex side presented to the incoming light rays and a concave side that passes light rays through toward the output face of the host medium, collimating the rays. Multiple stages of arrays may be provided in the optical device, typically with lengthening aspect ratios and increasing indexes of refraction in a direction from the input face toward the output face. The systems may use the optical device for using an exterior light to illuminate an interior space in a building or to generate power.

The present invention relates to an optical system, wherein the optical system comprises a transparent optic defining an optical volume, the transparent optic comprising a first main face adapted to admit light into the optical volume and a first turning optic for turning the light admitted inside the optical volume such that the light is internally reflected within the optical volume.

A skylight system for a building is provided that includes an upper cover, an interior diffuser that resides below the cover and includes a lens, and a diffuser accessory. The diffuser accessory is carried by the lens, is detachable from the lens, and imparts a degree of translucency, a color, and/or texture to light traveling through it. The diffuser accessory may be a flexible substrate or film, or may be a rigid member, and may adhere to the lens, may be re-attachable to the lens, and may be carried upon either the upper or lower lens surface. The diffuser is both detachable from and re-attachable to the remaining skylight system, for example by threads. The lens and the diffuser frame may be integral.

A skylight comprising a frame that includes a light conductive path having a first end proximate to a light shaft and a second end distal to the light shaft. The frame may reside at the interior termination of the skylight light shaft. The light path may extend to the perimeter of the frame. A diffuser lens may also be provided, and the frame may be integral with the diffuser lens.

A method and apparatus for making reflective surfaces within optically transmissive materials. The method includes steps of providing a blade having a sharp cutting edge, penetrating an optically transmissive material with the cutting edge to a predetermined penetration depth and moving the blade relative to the transmissive material to produce a continuous slit with reflective walls. The apparatus includes a material feeding mechanism configured to feed a flexible sheet in predefined stepped increments, a slitting blade with a surface portion having a root mean square surface profile roughness parameter below 100 nanometers, and a linear drive operatively associated with the slitting blade to reciprocally move the slitting blade perpendicular to a feed direction of the flexible sheet, where a stepped feed operation of the material feeding mechanism is alternating with a reciprocal operation of the linear drive.

Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting assembly, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.

An example optical device for backlighting includes a receiver disposed in a mobile device to receive ambient light. The optical device also includes a concentrator to concentrate the received ambient light received through the receiver. The optical device further includes a channeler to direct the ambient light beneath a surface of the mobile device to a digital display of the mobile device.

An electromagnetic black hole may be fabricated as concentric shells having a permittivity whose variation is at least as great as an inverse square dependence on the radius of the structure. Such a structure concentrates electromagnetic energy incident thereon over a broad range of angles to an operational region near the center of curvature of the structure. Devices or materials may be placed in the operational region so as to convert the electromagnetic energy to electrical signals or to heat. Applications included solar energy harvesting and heat signature detectors.

An optical device and systems using an optical device are provided, where the optical device may be configured for collimating incoming light rays. The optical device may include a host medium substantially comprised of a transparent material and an array of substantially transparent structures embedded within the host medium. The structures of the array each include a convex side presented to the incoming light rays and a concave side that passes light rays through toward the output face of the host medium, collimating the rays. Multiple stages of arrays may be provided in the optical device, typically with lengthening aspect ratios and increasing indexes of refraction in a direction from the input face toward the output face. The systems may use the optical device for using an exterior light to illuminate an interior space in a building or to generate power.

A method and apparatus for making reflective surfaces within optically transmissive materials. The method includes steps of providing a blade having a sharp cutting edge, penetrating an optically transmissive material with the cutting edge to a predetermined penetration depth and moving the blade relative to the transmissive material to produce a continuous slit with reflective walls. The apparatus includes a material feeding mechanism configured to feed a flexible sheet in predefined stepped increments, a slitting blade with a surface portion having a root mean square surface profile roughness parameter below 100 nanometers, and a linear drive operatively associated with the slitting blade to reciprocally move the slitting blade perpendicular to a feed direction of the flexible sheet, where a stepped feed operation of the material feeding mechanism is alternating with a reciprocal operation of the linear drive.