| Image | Part Number | Description / PDF | Quantity | Rfq |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHT PIPE 2 ARRAY 1.9MM HORZ |
866 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHTPIPE PNL MT CONVEX 0.700" |
9754 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHTPIPE VERT .300" CONVEX |
0 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHT PIPE 12 ELEMENT RJ45 |
0 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHTPIPE PNL MT CONVEX 0.375" |
3476 |
|
 |
Dialight |
5MM PANEL MOUNT RIGHT ANGLE CONV |
4513 |
|
 |
Dialight |
5MM PANEL MOUNT RIGHT ANGLE CONV |
2073 |
|
 |
Dialight |
5MM PMVLPDOME .162"x.250"LG |
416 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHTPIPE BILVL .060"DIA X.470"L |
1900 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHT PIPE 1 ELMNT PANEL MNT |
4875000 |
|
 |
Dialight |
5MM PANEL MOUNT RIGHT ANGLE FLAT |
1883 |
|
 |
Dialight |
5MM PANEL MOUNT RIGHT ANGLE FLAT |
1942 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHTPIPE PNL MT FLAT 1.200" |
1386 |
|
 |
Dialight |
5MM PANEL MOUNT RIGHT ANGLE CONV |
1868 |
|
 |
Dialight |
5MM PMVLPCONV .162"x.900"LG |
614 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHT PIPE 5 ELEMENT 5MM RECT |
0 |
|
 |
Dialight |
5MM PMVLPFLAT |
1742 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHT PIPE SINGLE ELEMENT |
15285 |
|
 |
Dialight |
LIGHT PIPE RIDGID 3MM DIA |
3892 |
|
 |
Dialight |
5MM PANEL MOUNT RIGHT ANGLE DOME |
711 |
|
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