A light mixing apparatus and method for mixing two Gaussian profile input
light beams of different frequencies to form a third, homogenized output
light beam having a top hat profile. The apparatus includes a first
homogenizer tube having interfaced to it a second homogenizer tube. The
second homogenizer tube includes an outer tubular portion which receives
inside of it a tubular subassembly having an optical element at one end.
The optical element is positioned to reside within the first homogenizer
tube at a 45.degree. angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the first
homogenizer tube. The optical element is transmissive on one surface and
on the opposite surface includes a reflective surface for reflecting
light traveling through the second homogenizer tube along the
longitudinal axis of the first homogenizer tube. The apparatus forms a
robust yet efficient means for mixing Gaussian profile light beams of
different wavelengths to produce an output light beam having a top hat
profile and a desired color.