Optics - Light Pipes

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
LPV3-0500F-RW

LPV3-0500F-RW

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

RED 630NM/WHITE 7700 K

0

LPV3-0600FP

LPV3-0600FP

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE RIGID 2.92MM DIA

30

LPR3-1000-0700F-RY

LPR3-1000-0700F-RY

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

RED 640NM/YELLOW 572NM

0

5151094F

5151094F

Dialight

LIGHT PIPE 3MM BI-LEVEL

76773200

LPV4-0550F-G850

LPV4-0550F-G850

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

GREEN/520NM

100

PLP1-100-F

PLP1-100-F

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE PNL 3MM LENS 0.100"

16503

5151003F

5151003F

Dialight

LIGHT PIPE PCMCIA SINGLE ELEMENT

1977

LPV4-0750D-RGB

LPV4-0750D-RGB

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

RED 643NM/GREEN 515NM/BLUE 460NM

90

LPC_105_CTP

LPC_105_CTP

Visual Communications Company, LLC

LIGHT PIPE ROUND 4MM CLEAR

0

51513030600F

51513030600F

Dialight

LIGHTPIPE PNL MT DOME 0.600"

2109

LPR5-1000-1500F-R130

LPR5-1000-1500F-R130

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

RED/640NM

0

5151208F

5151208F

Dialight

LIGHT PIPE BI-LEVEL

800

RLP4-400-650

RLP4-400-650

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

RIGHT ANGLE LIGHT PIPE, 2.8MM

162

SZ1-6.00-F4P54

SZ1-6.00-F4P54

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

FLEXIBLE LIGHT PIPE, ZERO LIGHT

80

51513020350F

51513020350F

Dialight

LIGHTPIPE PNL MT CONVEX 0.350"

1087

SLP3-550-100-F

SLP3-550-100-F

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE

0

PLP1-313

PLP1-313

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE PNL REA 3MM RND .313"

0

51513621500F

51513621500F

Dialight

5MM PANEL MOUNT RIGHT ANGLE CONV

1804

RLP1-400-650

RLP1-400-650

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

RIGHT ANGLE LIGHT PIPE, 2.8MM

2

PLP5-250

PLP5-250

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE .250" ROUND PNL MT

39117

Optics - Light Pipes

1. Overview

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.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

TypeFunctional CharacteristicsApplication Examples
Hollow Light PipesMetal-coated hollow tubes for infrared/mid-wave transmissionThermal imaging systems, CO laser delivery
Solid Light PipesTransparent dielectric rods (glass/polymers) for visible/NIR wavelengthsEndoscopes, fiber optic couplers
Fiber Bundle Light PipesCoherent fiber arrays for image transferMilitary night vision, industrial borescopes
Flexible Light GuidesBendable polymer/clad silica fibers for dynamic routingDental curing lights, automotive lighting

3. Structure and Components

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

4. Key Technical Specifications

ParameterDescriptionImportance
Transmission Efficiency85-98% per meter (depends on wavelength)Determines signal strength and power loss
Operating WavelengthUV-VIS-NIR (200-2000nm) rangeMatches with light source and detector
Numerical Aperture (NA)0.2-0.5 (acceptance angle)Dictates coupling efficiency with light sources
Bend Radius5-50mm (flexible types) / >100mm (rigid)Affects mechanical integration limits
Thermal Stability-40 C to +200 C operational rangeEnsures performance under environmental stress

5. Application Fields

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)

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

ManufacturerRepresentative ProductKey Specifications
Schott AGOPTRAN Wavelength Flexible Light Guide400-1700nm, 0.37NA, 20mm bend radius
CorningClearCurve Ultra Low Bend Loss Fiber0.15dB/km loss, 10mm bend radius
3MLight Pipe Film Series95% transmission efficiency, 0.25mm thickness
Hamamatsu PhotonicsSingle Crystal Sapphire Light Pipes200-5000nm, 300 C thermal resistance

7. Selection Recommendations

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

8. Industry Trend Analysis

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

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