Application Note AN16 – Optical Considerations for Bridgelux LED Arrays

The Bridgelux family of LED Array products delivers high performance, compact, and cost-effective solidstate lighting solutions to serve the general lighting market. These products combine the higher efficiency, lifetime, and reliability benefits of LEDs with the light output levels of many conventional lighting sources.

Bridgelux LED Arrays have been uniquely designed to produce a smooth Lambertian light emission pattern suitable for a wide variety of lighting applications. Some applications, however, may require a different distribution of light. Secondary optics components such as lenses, reflectors or collimators can be used to create a wide variety of optical effects in order to meet specific lamp and luminaire design requirements.

The purpose of this application note is to provide a general understanding of basic optical concepts that can be used to modify the spatial light distribution produced by Bridgelux LED Arrays and guidance as to how to change the light distribution to meet application driven requirements. Included in this note is an overview of geometric optics, a description of Bridgelux LED Array optical performance, guidelines for specifying optical performance requirements, and information regarding commercially available secondary optics for use with Bridgelux LED Arrays. A list of companies specializing in the development and manufacturing of custom optics is also included to assist customers with needs for unique optical solutions.