Looking for combined optics/reflector

[Frobe22]

Ordinary optics for LED are designed to interface with air, if we try to pot the optics the light output will decrease. A reflector can be potted without any problems, but it will most likely have air inside the reflector.

We are looking for optics with reflective sidewalls, or a plastic filled reflector. Then we can add some clear gel between the LED and the optics and fill the rest of the body with non optical potting mass. The result will be a massive light engine without air inside. (There will be no potting in front of the light...)

Do any have any suggestions where we can buy this, or does it have to be designed?

 

[saabluster]

Ordinary optics for LED are designed to interface with air, if we try to pot the optics the light output will decrease. A reflector can be potted without any problems, but it will most likely have air inside the reflector.

We are looking for optics with reflective sidewalls, or a plastic filled reflector. Then we can add some clear gel between the LED and the optics and fill the rest of the body with non optical potting mass. The result will be a massive light engine without air inside. (There will be no potting in front of the light...)

Do any have any suggestions where we can buy this, or does it have to be designed?

What you are describing is a TIR optic like that in the Inovas. I doubt highly that putting gel with a reflector and optic is going to give you a good beam unless they were designed for that from the outset. As far as I know this does not exist.

 

[Frobe22]

Yes, when I referred to optics I meant TIR optics. If we pot or coat TIR optics it ends up as a NIR (No Internal Reflection) piece of plastic. The TIC is dependent on the plastic/air interface to reflect the light out, we are looking for a reflective coated optics, this will accept coating or potting on the sides without loosing output.

I agree that adding gel may change the beam distribution from the LED to the optics slightly, but gel can give less light loss than air so hopefully we will still have good enough output.

 

[saabluster]

Yes, when I referred to optics I meant TIR optics. If we pot or coat TIR optics it ends up as a NIR (No Internal Reflection) piece of plastic. The TIC is dependent on the plastic/air interface to reflect the light out, we are looking for a reflective coated optics, this will accept coating or potting on the sides without loosing output.

I agree that adding gel may change the beam distribution from the LED to the optics slightly, but gel can give less light loss than air so hopefully we will still have good enough output.

If you don't mind my asking what are you trying to accomplish?

 

[HumanLumen]

Is it possible to sputter coated the optic? This woulld help you achieve your goals.

 

[Frobe22]

My goal is to have a small light engine without any air inside. There is no problem achieving that with a bare led, some silicone/gel and some glass, but then I wouldn't be able to focus the light at all.

Sputter coating TIR optics may work, but will the reflected rays focus the same way as a non-coated optics relying on air/plastic, or will the optics have to be reconstructed? My guess is that it will not work, but I can't prove it. I have tried silver spray paint, but it is not reflective enough.

 

[saabluster]

My goal is to have a small light engine without any air inside.

Whats wrong with air? I can understand you wanting to put the gel in between the small space where the LED sits and the optic but why the rest?

 

[blesbok]

I believe Ledil offers coated optics that will do what you want. They don't seem to mention any changes in beam pattern. See the last section of this datasheet.

www.ledil.fi/apollo.pdf

 

[Doh!Nut]

Not small - or cheap, but its a mirrored optic.

http://www.carclo-optics.co.uk/Shop.70.0.html

Nick

 

[Frobe22]

Thanks for the two links, at least I know where to look.
I was just told that a small pocket of air may be allowed, but it may be cheaper to produce by using mirrored optics and just fill the body with potting.