Understanding LED Light Pipes: How They Work and Their Composition

[likephysics]

I have a basic question about light pipes -

How exactly does it work? Is it like Fiber optic cable (total internal reflection)?
or does it leak since the light pipe is fully made of glass.

 

[berkeman]

I have a basic question about light pipes -

How exactly does it work? Is it like Fiber optic cable (total internal reflection)?
or does it leak since the light pipe is fully made of glass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pipe

.

 

[likephysics]

Berkeman,

So it does work like fiber optic.
Are you aware of any side emitting light pipe or LED?

 

[berkeman]

Berkeman,

So it does work like fiber optic.
Are you aware of any side emitting light pipe or LED?

What do you mean by side emitting? What exactly are you wanting to do?

 

[likephysics]

Side emitting like a halo ring. Something like 5-10mm dia.

 

[berkeman]

What's a halo ring? Can you post a sketch of what you want? Or use Google Images to search for what you want?

 

[likephysics]

What's a halo ring? Can you post a sketch of what you want? Or use Google Images to search for what you want?

Here you go - http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/LED-Light-Pipe-features-splash-proof-dual-color-design-595296

This is exactly what I want but for less cost. This thing has dual color, splash proof case etc, all of which I don't need.

 

[boredat20]

You could look into EL wire.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_wire

 

[MATLABdude]

If you have something similar, you might be able to scratch up the surface. It'd be like a leaky pipe, so the light probably won't be as well-distributed. Or it might just result in a lit spot right where the light source is.