| Image | Part Number | Description / PDF | Quantity | Rfq |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Visual Communications Company, LLC |
RUGGD FLEX LIGHTPIPE CLR 8" GRN |
0 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
LIGHT PIPE RIGID RA 4.93MM DIA |
100 |
|
 |
Visual Communications Company, LLC |
LIGHT PIPE ROUND 4MM CLEAR |
696 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
RED 650NM/BLUE 465NM |
0 |
|
 |
Lumex, Inc. |
LIGHT PIPE 3.2X3.18MM 4POS RECT |
2605 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
ORANGE 590NM/YELLOW 572NM |
0 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHTPIPE PNL MT DOME 0.350" |
2137 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHT PIPE 2X2 3MM ROUND |
1682 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
LIGHT PIPE PNL 2MM SQUARE 8MM |
0 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
FLEXIBLE LIGHT PIPE, ZERO LIGHT |
100 |
|
 |
Visual Communications Company, LLC |
LIGHTPIPE ASSY THREADED SEALED |
14635 |
|
 |
Visual Communications Company, LLC |
LIGHTPIPE FLEXIBLE 12" |
65 |
|
 |
Visual Communications Company, LLC |
LITEPIPE 4MM RND VERT 0.860" |
5431 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
RIGHT ANGLE LIGHT PIPE, 2.8MM |
38 |
|
 |
Visual Communications Company, LLC |
LIGHT PIPE ROUND 4MM CLEAR |
119 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
FLEXIBLE LIGHT PIPE, ZERO LIGHT |
100 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHTPIPE VERT .550" CONVEX |
517 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
RED 630NM/WHITE 7700 K |
0 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
RED 640NM/GREEN 520NM |
100 |
|
 |
Califia Lighting (Bivar) |
RIGHT ANGLE LIGHT PIPE, 2.8MM |
0 |
|
Light pipes (optical light guides) are physical structures designed to transmit light between different locations using total internal reflection. They serve as critical components in optoelectronic systems by enabling efficient light routing, signal transmission, and illumination distribution. Modern applications span telecommunications, medical imaging, industrial sensing, and consumer electronics, where precise light management is essential.
| Type | Functional Characteristics | Application Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Hollow Light Pipes | Metal-coated hollow tubes for infrared/mid-wave transmission | Thermal imaging systems, CO laser delivery |
| Solid Light Pipes | Transparent dielectric rods (glass/polymers) for visible/NIR wavelengths | Endoscopes, fiber optic couplers |
| Fiber Bundle Light Pipes | Coherent fiber arrays for image transfer | Military night vision, industrial borescopes |
| Flexible Light Guides | Bendable polymer/clad silica fibers for dynamic routing | Dental curing lights, automotive lighting |
Typical light pipe structures include: - Core Material: High-purity silica (up to 99.999%) or polymer (PMMA/PC) - Cladding Layer: Dielectric coating (refractive index 1-2% lower than core) - Protective Jacket: UV-resistant polymer (e.g., ETFE/PVC) for mechanical durability - Termination: Precision-ground facets with anti-reflective coatings (transmission >99%) - Geometric Design: Circular/rectangular cross-sections with tolerances 0.001mm
| Parameter | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Efficiency | 85-98% per meter (depends on wavelength) | Determines signal strength and power loss |
| Operating Wavelength | UV-VIS-NIR (200-2000nm) range | Matches with light source and detector |
| Numerical Aperture (NA) | 0.2-0.5 (acceptance angle) | Dictates coupling efficiency with light sources |
| Bend Radius | 5-50mm (flexible types) / >100mm (rigid) | Affects mechanical integration limits |
| Thermal Stability | -40 C to +200 C operational range | Ensures performance under environmental stress |
Key industries include: - Telecommunications: Fiber optic network backbones (e.g., 100G+ transceivers) - Medical: Minimally invasive surgery systems (e.g., Olympus endoscopes) - Industrial: Laser material processing (e.g., Trumpf cutting machines) - Consumer Electronics: Display backlighting (e.g., Apple Pro Display XDR) - Defense: Missile guidance systems (e.g., Raytheon thermal seekers)
| Manufacturer | Representative Product | Key Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Schott AG | OPTRAN Wavelength Flexible Light Guide | 400-1700nm, 0.37NA, 20mm bend radius |
| Corning | ClearCurve Ultra Low Bend Loss Fiber | 0.15dB/km loss, 10mm bend radius |
| 3M | Light Pipe Film Series | 95% transmission efficiency, 0.25mm thickness |
| Hamamatsu Photonics | Single Crystal Sapphire Light Pipes | 200-5000nm, 300 C thermal resistance |
Consider: - Match NA and core diameter to light source (e.g., 200 m fiber for 0.3NA LED) - Environmental factors (e.g., 150 C rating for automotive headlamps) - Cost-performance tradeoffs: Polymer vs. silica in visible spectrum - Termination requirements: AR-coated vs. bare cleave - Case Study: Semiconductor inspection system using Schott rigid light pipes achieved 92% throughput improvement
Emerging trends include: - Miniaturization: Sub-mm diameter pipes for wearable devices - Multi-core Integration: Parallel data transmission in Li-Fi systems - Smart Materials: Electrochromic coatings for dynamic light control - Photonic Crystal Pipes: Bandgap engineering for terahertz applications - Market growth projected at 7.2% CAGR (2023-2030) driven by 5G and autonomous vehicle sensors