We deliver excellence in illumination solutions to our customers and their end consumers. An investment in quality light guides often results in long-term cost savings, increased product longevity, more brightness while using less power and enhanced end-user experiences. Our proprietary high-performance technology, backed by an impressive portfolio of 350+ issued patents and an additional 10+ pending, contributes to these benefits.

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When certain objects are heated to a high temperature, they begin to emit light. Both infrared and visible light is produced in the process.

Light guides have hundreds of applications across many industries and are crucial to modern devices. Think of a laptop keyboard, exit sign in a commercial building, smart home hub device or illuminated medallion on the front of a car; each uses the power of light guides to enhance end-user experience.

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Light can be produced by accelerating charges in a luminescent material. One common way of doing it is by passing current through the material.

Another component found in quality light guides is high-performance LEDs. They should be designed to couple and work with edge-lit light guide technology seamlessly.

The positive impact of a high-quality and high-performance light guide can be transformative for your product or application. When you’re ready to begin your next illumination project, our team will be there to provide guidance and a wealth of experience every step of the way.

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The universe is filled with objects that emit light. Some light from these sources reaches the earth. The following things in nature have the ability to emit light:

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Not all light guide manufacturers are the same. While some offer a one-size-fits-all solution, we customize each design to meet the needs of your unique application.

Its primary function is to efficiently transmit and distribute light from a source to a desired location or surface. Light guides are designed to guide and control the propagation of light, ensuring it reaches its intended destination with minimal loss or dispersion.

Our proprietary optical pattern used in the micro-structures is meticulously designed to achieve a uniform light output.

Apart from natural sources, light can be produced artificially too. The different light sources produced artificially can be put under three broad categories-

Across every industry and application, I believe the significance of light guides in illumination can’t be overstated; but you may be asking, “What is a light guide?” Light guides enhance illumination, and illumination enhances the functionality and aesthetics of many applications. Light guides accomplish this by achieving optimal brightness and ensuring uniformity and visibility in desired areas.

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As you evaluate different light guide manufacturers, there are important component characteristics to consider. A hallmark of high-quality light guide design is an optical pattern that is replicated via a repeatable process like embossing or injection molding. This ensures your final assembly can be manufactured at scale and create cost savings for you.

When we look at a leaf we know that it is green because light bounces off the leaf to our eyes to tell us that it is green. But what is light? Which are the sources of light from which light originated? Light is electromagnetic radiation. A particular frequency of this radiation (around 390-700 nm) is visible to the human eye. Everything that we see around us is because of light. Light is a form of energy and like all energies, it is produced from a source. In Physics, these are called light sources.

Additionally, our company-owned Asian manufacturing facilities help maintain a competitive cost base and manufacturing efficiencies that allow us to provide cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality. Beyond our cutting-edge technology and manufacturing capabilities, we are a company of engineers who understand the unique complexities of illumination and have an in-depth understanding of both optical and mechanical design.

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Light guides are typically made from a polymer material, and precision in crafting these components is crucial for optimal light transmission. Core components of light guides like those we create at Global Lighting Technologies are:

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At its core, a light guide is a transparent material that allows the light from a light source to enter and travel through the material.

Our patented technology and engineering experience also enable us to create smaller, more efficient light guides. From consumer electronics to the automotive industry, common applications for our custom light guide solutions include:

I hope you explore the rest of this helpful primer on light guides and their components with insights from our engineers.

After components are identified and initial designs are approved, light guide manufacturers like Global Lighting Technologies will work with you to prototype and test. Learn more about prototyping here.

Light guides contribute to both aesthetic and functional enhancements. Read on to explore the components that help light guides function.