TechSpec Light Pipes

Edmund Optics Inc.

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Homogenize Nonuniform Light Sources

BARRINGTON, N.J., June 28, 2007 -- Edmund Optics (EO) has released TechSpec light pipe homogenizing rods for OEM illumination which use total internal reflection to turn a nonuniform light source into uniform illumination and deliver it to the target site. The rods are suitable for applications in which point sources such as LEDs must be combined and made to deliver even lighting.

Unlike traditional square integrating rods, TechSpec rods have a hexagonal cross section which provides a better match to spherical point source wavefronts, resulting in a 35-percent increase in coupling efficiency and allowing the light pipes to deliver brighter illumination for a given light source.

Also known as integrating rods, light pipes use total internal reflection to effectively randomize entrance angles at their output apertures. The result is a homogenization of the original light source’s spatial intensity distribution, providing greater uniformity of illumination at the end of the rod.

Because the homogenizing effects of traveling through the rod are not wavelength or entry-angle dependent, the rods can mix the light from multiple sources into a uniform beam. This allows OEMs to use the rods to combine the light from several LEDs to increase illumination intensity, or to mix colors to obtain unusual spectral characteristics. TechSpec homogenizing rods are available in 2-, 5- and 10-mm apertures, in lengths approximately 12X the aperture size. Prices range from $60 to $85. Custom configurations are available for OEM applications.

For more information, visit: www.edmundoptics.com

Edmund Optics Inc.
101 East Gloucester Pike
Barrington, NJ 08007
Phone: (800) 363-1992
Fax: (856) 573-6295

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Published: June 2007