Lighting structure for intensely illuminating narrow linear region

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a lighting structure for intensely illuminating a narrow linear region.
A light source emits light into an end of a hollow, elongate light guide.
A longitudinal slit light-emitting aperture extends through an external wall of the light guide.
A lens is mounted in the aperture.
The lens bears a plurality of prisms which extend substantially perpendicular to the slit, on an inwardly directed face of the lens.
The lens may be formed of a film material such as TRAF.
TM.
material available from 3M Corporation, St.
Paul, Minn.
A mechanism may be provided to maintain the lens flat.
A diffuser may be mounted outwardly of the lens.
The diffuser bears a plurality of thin striations extending transversely, relative to the longitudinal slit aperture.