(Note: after posting this, I realize it is not at all clear unless you are an expert in optics, if then. I will try to post a diagram soon that explains the idea in greater detail.)
The idea is to build a large flat object that when fed light via a fiber optic cable or channel produces an even, diffuse source of light without any losses.
The idea is to build a large flat object that when fed light via a fiber optic cable or channel produces an even, diffuse source of light without any losses.
Such a device would make more practical the idea of using solar power for internal illumination, as well as allowing a single highly efficient light source to provide better lighting.
I expect this to require computer modeling, a basic understanding of optics and fiber optics, creative geometry, and possibly an exploration of surface properties.
Success criterion is to build a functional lamp (by which I mean a wall-hangable light fixture, not a desk lamp) that provide pleasant illumination.
If we define "perfect" mathematically as producing perfectly even light (which would have to have a definition of direction as well as brightness from a given part of the luminaire) this is an interesting mathematical problem in optics which doesn't require very much knowledge of materials.
I personally don't know if this is old-hat, or if it has never been researched. It is possible this problem has already been solved---if so, please enlighten me.
It seems to me this is an area in which amateur researchers could hope to make a significant contribution.
