Optics - Light Pipes

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
LPR3-1000-1500D-OY

LPR3-1000-1500D-OY

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

ORANGE 590NM/YELLOW 572NM

0

LPR5-0800-3000DP

LPR5-0800-3000DP

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE RIGID RA 4.93MM DIA

90

LPCR050CTP

LPCR050CTP

Visual Communications Company, LLC

LTP RIGID RND .171"D .500"L

2712

LPC_054_CTP

LPC_054_CTP

Visual Communications Company, LLC

LIGHT PIPE ROUND 4MM CLEAR

410

PLP1-4MM

PLP1-4MM

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE PNL REAR 3MM RND 4MM

0

PLPC3-125

PLPC3-125

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE PNL MNT 3MM RND .125"

8948

LPV3-0550D-RW

LPV3-0550D-RW

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

RED 630NM/WHITE 7700 K

0

51513610350F

51513610350F

Dialight

5MM PANEL MOUNT RIGHT ANGLE FLAT

1507

PLW5-5MM

PLW5-5MM

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE PNL 5MM WIDE LENS 5MM

2245

51513021000F

51513021000F

Dialight

LIGHTPIPE PNL MT CONVEX 1.000"

2041

7511A44

7511A44

Visual Communications Company, LLC

LIGHT PIPE 1" VERTICAL

5186

LPA-C011301S-15

LPA-C011301S-15

Lumex, Inc.

LIGHT PIPE 15MM SINGLE VERT SMD

5370

LPV4-1000D-R130

LPV4-1000D-R130

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

RED/640NM

0

LPR5-0800-0700D-G850

LPR5-0800-0700D-G850

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

GREEN/520NM

100

PLTR2-64MM-PR1

PLTR2-64MM-PR1

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE RIGID SINGLE 3.5MM

84

SLP3-150-100-F

SLP3-150-100-F

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE 90DEG VAR 0.100"FLAT

11413

PLTR2-72MM-PR1

PLTR2-72MM-PR1

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE RIGID SINGLE 3.5MM

45

LPR5-0800-0700D-RGB

LPR5-0800-0700D-RGB

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

RED 643NM/GREEN 515NM/BLUE 460NM

100

LPR4-1250-0700FP

LPR4-1250-0700FP

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE RIGID RA 3.91MM DIA

100

VLPR-24-650-2

VLPR-24-650-2

Califia Lighting (Bivar)

LIGHT PIPE VERT .650" RECTANGULR

700

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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