A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic
(e.g. a selectable color combination) uses an integrating cavity to
combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. The
cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for
allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Sources of radiant energy
of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant
energy into the interior of the integrating cavity. In the examples, the
points of entry of the energy into the cavity typically are located so
that they are not directly visible through the aperture. The cavity
effectively integrates the energy of different wavelengths, so that the
combined radiant energy emitted through the aperture includes the radiant
energy of the various wavelengths. The apparatus also includes a control
circuit coupled to the sources for establishing output intensity of
radiant energy of each of the sources. Control of the intensity of
emission of the sources sets the amount of each wavelength of energy in
the combined output and thus determines a spectral characteristic of the
radiant energy output through the aperture.