10 Questions You Should to Know about diffuser board

1. What is a Light Shaping Diffuser®?

Light Shaping Diffusers® are micro-structures pseudo-randomly embedded on a substrate (such as film) which perform optical diffusion. When applied to a lighting structure, the Light Shaping Diffuser® can manipulate light by changing the direction of its energy. This allows our Light Shaping Diffusers® to clean up and shape a light beam to suit a particular purpose.

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2. Where are optical diffusers used?

Light Shaping Diffusers® are often applied in architectural lighting, can lights, decorative lighting, pool lighting, set/event lighting and wall wash lighting where the effects of the Light Shaping Diffuser® can be quite dramatic. LED Light Shaping Diffusers® are also used in illumination systems such as aircraft inspection lights; backlit systems such as cellphone and PDA displays; LCD screens and more. One of the most common uses for our light diffusers is to eliminate hot spots on LED light strips. 

3. What sizes of LED light diffusers are available?

Thin-film Light Shaping Diffusers® are available in rolls, sheets or parts cut to your specifications. Standard rolls are 20' wide and 500' long. Strip rolls are also available in your specified width. 24"x 24" rigid sheets are available on polycarbonate in various thicknesses. Contact sales for a quote. 

4. Are the diffusers available for smaller applications?

Yes, Luminit Light Shaping Diffusers® are available in various circular and elliptical angles in pre-cut sheet format for lower volume applications.

5. What diffusion angles are available?

Luminit's unique LED optical diffuser material is available in a variety of circular and elliptical angles from 1° to 100° on thin film or rigid substrates. Standard angles include: 80ºx50º, 60ºx10º, 80º, 60º, 40º, 30°, 20°, 10°, and 5°. We also offer non-standard angles, including 1°, 2°, 3.5°, 30°×35° 40°×1°, 60°×1°, 69°×30°, 75°×45°, and 90°×10°.

6. What is the transmission efficiency of Luminit LED diffusers?

The transmission efficiencies of Luminit optical diffusers are rated between 85-92% (depending on the angle). This very high-efficiency rating is due to the fact that our technology is based on diffractive microstructures. Smaller angle diffusers have the highest transmission.

7. Is the angle of diffusion and transmission wavelength dependent on a Luminit holographic diffuser?

Since our microstructures are random and non-periodic, the Light Shaping Diffuser® is not wavelength-dependent, so it works well from 400nm to 700nm.

8. Can a Luminit LED lighting diffusers reduce LED hotspots?

Yes, Luminit Light Shaping Diffusers® are commonly used as an LED strip light diffuser to eliminate the hotspots without a significant reduction in the amount of the light, provided that the diffuser is placed a sufficient distance from the LEDs. A rule of thumb is that the diffuser must be at least as far away from the LEDs as the LEDs are spaced apart.

9. Can Light Shaping Diffusers shape light beams?

Yes, Luminit optical diffusion films are so precise that beam shaping is possible. Our patented holographic master recording process allows a variety of circular and elliptical light patterns. Standard circular angles range from 0.5˚ to 100˚ FWHM. A wide variety of standard elliptical angles, ranging from 10˚x0.2˚ to 95˚x35˚, are available.

10. What does FWHM mean?

FWHM is an abbreviation for Full-Width Half-Maximum which is the angle of diffusion that would be seen after a collimated laser passes through the diffuser.

11. How long does the LED light diffuser last?

For indoor applications, a Light Shaping Diffuser® can last as long as the light structure. For outdoor applications, measures may need to be taken to prevent  yellowing of the film due to exposure to the sun. For outdoor lighting applications, Luminit offers an optional UV-stable substrate to help prevent yellowing.

12. Should I face the diffuser towards or away from the light source?

The diffuser has improved transmission characteristics if the microstructure side is facing the light source, but it has better source hiding characteristics if the microstructure side is facing away from the light source.

13. How should I handle the diffuser and can I clean it if it gets dirty?

We suggest you handle the diffuser with clean latex gloves. High angle diffusers are very prone to damage due the height of the microstructures. They can be cleaned carefully using optical wipes and ethanol using the industry-standard 'drop and drag' technique.

14. How do I mount the diffuser in my system?

We recommend you find a mechanical means of securing the diffuser into your system, for example using the natural tension of a film on curved surface. We offer pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) as an option but this process is difficult and you may experience the incorporation of air bubbles during the lamination process.

15. Does the angle of diffusion or transmission change if I use a thicker Light Shaping Diffuser diffuser? 

No, since our technology is based on a surface relief pattern, these parameters are not dependent on the thickness of the substrate. However, there are inherently additional transmission losses if very thick substrates are utilized (Beer's Law).

16. What is the effective working distance of the diffuser to eliminate hotspots under direct view?

This depends on the angle of divergence and spacing of the light sources. With 110° Field of View, surface mount LEDs, the relationship is around 1:1. That is, if the LEDs are spaced 1 inch apart then you will need a little more than 1-inch distance from the LEDs to our largest diffuser angles. Here is an illustration demonstrating the ratios with various angle diffusers.

17. How can I determine which angle will work for my application? 

Luminit offers a sample page with 9 samples about 1' square as well as larger A4 sized sheets of select single angles on 0.010' thick polycarbonate. Please select Request a Sample on the Luminit home page. While we do offer this complimentary kit to qualified customers, a UPS, FedEx or DHL account number is required. 

18. Can the light diffuser replace a secondary optic?

No, a diffuser cannot decrease the divergence of a light source. It can only increase its angle of divergence.

19. Are your Light Shaping Diffuser sheets thin enough to cut with everyday tools?

Yes, Luminit's .010' thick diffuser can be easily cut with ordinary scissors.

20. Are Luminit Light Shaping Diffusers RoHS compliant?

Yes, our Light Shaping Diffusers comply with RoHs standards. An environmental compliance statement can be downloaded here. 

21. Is there a way to determine the beam angle that will result from using a Light Shaping Diffuser?

This will depend on the secondary optics you are using; however, the following chart can help determine the resultant beam angle. 

Resultant Beam

Resultant Beam

Diffuser FWHM

w/ 8.2 degree Optic

w/ 16.4 degree Optic

10

12

18.7

15

16.9

22.4

25

27

30.5

40

44.2

45.6

60

65.9

67.8

80

88.2

87.2

60×10

63×12.7

19.1×63.3

60×30

65×32.3

35.1×67

22. Are there any modeling programs available to determine which Luminit diffuser angle I should use? 

We have models available for Zemax OpticStudio on our DLL downloads and offer our models libraries such as Photopia, LightTools, and Lucidshape. Visit our Modeling/Simulation page for more information.

23. Is it possible to increase this transmission by adding an AR coating on one or both diffusor sides? 

Yes, we are able to increase the transmission by adding AR coating to both sides of our diffuser having the percentages 95~98 depending on the beam angle.  Our microstructures are refractive, so the performance will be constant up to ~nm.

24. Are there diffusers for machine vision applications?

Yes, we offer elliptical diffusers for machine vision in angles ranging from 1° to 90° on either axis.

25. Does Luminit have a diffuser for sensor applications?

Yes, we have diffusers with an elliptical and circular spread that can be used on sensors, LEDs and laser sources.

26. Do you have a near Lambertian diffuser?

Yes, our 100° is considered super-Gaussian.  

27. Are any of your optical diffusing films UL rated?

Yes, we have several flame-rated substrates such as VTM-2 and V-0 that are thin films (0.010" thick) polycarbonate.

28. What is the difference between Luminit Monolithic Glass Diffusers and High-Temperature Glass on Glass Diffusers?

Luminit Monolithic Glass Diffusers are made with an etching process, while our Glass on Glass light diffusers have pseudo-random microstructures that are cast and cured onto the surface of the glass. Temperature is one of the factors that differentiate the two. Our Glass on Glass diffusers are stable up to 500° C and are suitable for high-temperature laser applications. Monolithic glass is also rated for high temperature but is more suitable for lighting applications. 

29. What is the blue protective film on the diffuser and when should I remove it?

Our blue protective film is used to protect the diffuser during transit to reduce the chances of scratches. We advise customers to remove the film within three months of arrival. The reason for this is that there is a chance that the adhesive on the film can cure or harden and stick to the diffuser.

30. Are Light Shaping Diffusers waterproof?

Though our LED diffuser sheets are often installed in outdoor environments, they are not waterproof. Submerging the diffuser film or sheet in water would dissolve the microstructures and render the diffuser unusable.

31. What materials are available for your LED diffusers?

Luminit replicates diffusers on polycarbonate and acrylics (PMMA). We can also replicate our diffusers on glass products.

32. If the AOI is non-zero (15deg, 30deg, 45deg, etc.), does the light get diffused into a cone about the surface normal with the transmission efficiency decreasing with increasing AOI or does the light get diffused into a cone about the transmitted ray direction that is equal to the AOI with the transmission efficiency decreasing with increasing AOI?

The light will follow the specular ray. When the AOI is non-zero, the distribution center will follow the transmitted direction. The Zemax models we provide offer a good prediction of the ray distribution. You can see the light path and distribution patterns.

33. What type of diffusion film is best for high temperature applications?

We recommend our glass diffuser for high temperature and high power laser applications. This diffusion material is stable up to 500 degrees Celsius and offers high transmission and high quality homogenized light for laser and other high damage threshold applications. 

34. Can Luminit LED diffuser sheets delaminate over time?

Because we replicate our holographic LED diffusers directly onto rigid panels instead of through a lamination process, our LED diffuser panels will not become brittle, peel or yellow over time.

35. What is UGR?

UGR stands for Unified Glare Rating and is an international standard that measures glare in lighting fixtures and designs. UGR standards are used by lighting designers and manufacturers to mitigate glare from artificial lighting. 

FAQs on Prismatic Films

1. What is a Direction Turning Film?

Luminit's DTF (Direction Turning Film) is a non-symmetrical linear micro-prismatic that imparts a 20-degree shift in the angle of a semi-collimated light source. The DTF works well with LED light sources that utilize secondary optics. Some applications include recessed can lights to allow for more wall washing, pathway/stair lighting to reduce glare and increase ground illumination, and pool lighting to increase illumination of the bottom.

2. How do DTFs work with Light Shaping Diffusers?

Direction Turning Films can be combined with Light Shaping Diffusers to shape and homogenize the beam in addition to changing the direction. The beam can be shaped in a circular or elliptical pattern dependent on the diffuser angle chosen. These light bending films enable off-axis placement of the incoming beam when direct line of sight is impractical. Applications include LED lighting, avionics displays, traffic signs/displays and LCD backlights. They are also used to change the light beam direction to light a wall, walkway or other lighting target.

3. Can we model the diffuser in optical software?

Luminit offers BTDF data that is convertible to a variety of formats in the downloads section of this website.

4. How linear is the transmission and diffusion angle with drive signal?

The diffusivity has a natural 'sigmoidal' (i.e., 'S' curve) response to drive signal strength.

5. What angles of diffusion can I achieve?

You can achieve a range of angles from 1° FWHM in the clear state to 70° FWHM in the fully diffused state.

6. What is the transmission of the EVD-M?

The EVD unit has an 81% transmission efficiency in the 'on' state and 78% in the 'off' state measured at 550 nm at 28°C. Anti-reflection coated glass laminates are available on a special order basis to improve transmission.

XISHUN Acrylic contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

7. What types of DTF do you offer?

There are currently two different types of DTF products, one is a 20' bend-off axis material for visible or white light and the other is a 10' bend-off axis for 810nm (IR) LEDs.

8. Can Direction Turning Film direct light onto stage participants and less into the audience?

Yes, our Direction Turning Film is often used to redirect light to a desired location.

9. Can you couple layers of DTF to bend the light even further?

Yes, you can layer multiple sheets of DTF to increase the angle of redirection; however, there will be significant transmission loss.

10. What is Display Brightness Film?

Our display Brightness Film (DBF) is a light management film that increases the brightness of LCD displays. DBF is a prismatic structure with either a 1, 2, 3.5, 10 or 20-degree diffuser on the other side of the film. DBF is also available without the diffuser.

11. What is Birefringence?

Birefingence is the optical property of a material having a refractive index that depends on the polarization and propagation direction of light. In LCD screens, birefringence can create unwanted optical artifacts such as Newton's rings and moire. The high transmission efficiency of Luminit diffusers as well as the ability to homogenize a light source can preserve polarization and eliminate birefingence.

FAQs on Light Diffusing Film for Automotive Applications

1. How are LED diffusion films used in automotive lighting?

Automotive lighting engineers incorporate our diffusers into taillights and running lights to homogenize the output of LEDs as well as control the beam angle. If you've seen a recent model Dodge Durango while driving at night, you've seen our diffusers in action. Luminit light bending diffusion films are also used in automotive interior lighting, cluster panels, LCD displays, welcome mat lighting and more.

2.  Are your diffusers rated for automotive lighting?

Essential oil safety depends on many factors, such as age, underlying health, and medication and supplement use. To assess safety, consider factors like the oil's chemical composition and purity, method and duration of use, and dosage.

While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn't monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It's important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand's products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

As the essential oil market continues to grow, so do concerns about whether these highly concentrated plant extracts are safe for common use. Many consumers are unaware of the potential risks of using essential oils in their wellness, beauty, and cleaning routines.

Read on to learn how to safely use each method, which oils to try and which to avoid, what to do if you experience side effects, and more.

Many people turn to topical oils for their skin-healing or pain-relieving properties. However, if administered improperly, rash and other side effects may occur.

Some essential oils can even be poisonous if absorbed directly through the skin. Others, like orange, lime, and lemon, can cause phototoxicity if applied before exposure to the sun.

Always be sure to purchase quality essential oils. They should be in dark glass bottles from reputable sources that clearly state where the plant matter was collected.

Dilution

Essential oils require dilution to prevent adverse reactions. As a general rule, you should keep concentration levels of essential oils below 5%.

Diluting at 1% is equivalent to adding 6 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil. Guidelines for safe concentrations vary by age and health condition.

You can easily dilute your essential oils by blending a few drops with a carrier oil. Carrier oils are typically vegetable-based ' examples are almond oil, jojoba, or coconut oil. They carry the essential oil safely onto your skin and help you spread it over a large surface area.

Patch test

Patch tests allow you to see how your skin reacts to a particular oil before you perform a full application.

Here are the steps for conducting a patch test:

1. Wash your forearm with unscented soap.
2. Pat dry.
3. Rub a few drops of diluted essential oil into a small patch of your forearm and cover with gauze.
4. Wait 24 hours.
5. Remove the gauze.

If the skin patch is red, itchy, blistering, or swollen, you had an adverse reaction to the oil and should discontinue use.

If you experience discomfort before the 24-hour period ends, immediately wash the area with soap and warm water.

Oils

Popular essential oils that must be diluted are:

• bay
• cinnamon bark or leaf
• clove bud
• citronella
• cumin
• lemongrass
• lemon verbena
• oregano
• thyme

Essential oils aren't consistently regulated.

You shouldn't use essential oils internally unless you've undergone advanced training and certification or are acting under the guidance of a trained professional.

Avoid oral ingestion and internal application, such as in the mouth, vagina, or other mucus membranes.

The benefits of aromatherapy are well-researched. Inhaling certain essential oils, like sweet orange, can help ease symptoms of stress and anxiety. Inhaling lavender may improve sleep quality.

You can reap the benefits of aromatherapy through inhalation or diffusion. Inhalation is most effective when treating respiratory issues, whereas diffusion is best suited for mood management.

When diffusing oils, use these safety precautions:

• Follow proper dilution guidelines.
• Make sure you diffuse in a well-ventilated area.
• Diffuse intermittently, typically 30 to 60 minutes on, then 30 to 60 minutes off.

Oils

Popular essential oils that can be diffused without potential risks to children or pets:

• cedarwood
• fir
• grapefruit
• lavender
• lemon
• spearmint
• tangerine

Popular essential oils that should be diffused with caution, because they're mucous membrane irritants:

• bay
• cinnamon bark or leaf
• clove bud or leaf
• lemongrass
• peppermint
• thyme

This is a highly controversial practice ' especially during the first 3 months.

Some people worry that topical essential oils can cross the placental barrier and harm the fetus.

While some essential oils should never be used during pregnancy, a few are considered safe for use during prenatal massages or through the diffuser method.

According to one study, some essential oils may be effective in reducing anxiety and fear regarding childbirth.

If you're interested in using essential oils during pregnancy, talk with a healthcare professional or midwife before use.

Oils

Popular essential oils that should never be used during pregnancy, labor, or while nursing include:

• camphor
• parsley seed
• hyssop
• pennyroyal
• tarragon
• wintergreen
• wormwood

This is another highly controversial topic. Infants and children have thinner skin and less developed livers and immune systems. This makes them more vulnerable to potential toxicity associated with oil use.

Following safety guidelines and exercising extreme caution is crucial. You should always consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils on or around infants and children.

After 2 years, certain essential oils can be administered topically and through aromatherapy methods, but at a much weaker concentration than adult dosing. A safe dilution ratio is typically 0.5 to 2.5%.

Other examples of safety guidelines for children regarding essential oils:

• Peppermint shouldn't be topically applied to or diffused around children under the age of 6 years.
• Eucalyptus shouldn't be topically applied to or diffused around children under the age of 10 years.

Remember, diluting at 1% is equivalent to adding 6 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil.

Infants and children (or adults) should not ingest essential oils. As a safety precaution, essential oils should always be kept out of reach of children and pets.

Oils

A study reported that using lavender and tea tree oil topically on males who have not reached puberty has been linked to hormonal abnormalities that encourage breast growth. These oils should only be administered through aromatherapy methods or avoided.

Talk with a medical professional before using these essential oils on or around children.

Popular essential oils that should never be used on or around infants and children include:

• eucalyptus
• fennel
• peppermint
• rosemary
• verbena
• wintergreen

There's still much we don't know about the long-term effects of aromatherapy. Possible long-term effects need to be considered and studied further. There are dangers.

Here are a few examples:

• Anise: When used internally, anise lowers the antidepressant effects of some medications and increases the effects of drugs that affect the central nervous system.
• Bergamot: This citrus oil can cause skin sensitivity and result in burning if applied in a high topical concentration before sunlight exposure.
• Cinnamon: If applied without diluting or ingested, this oil can cause mucus membrane irritation, contact dermatitis, facial flushing, double vision, nausea, and vomiting.
• Eucalyptus: If swallowed, this oil can cause seizures.
• Lavender: Topical application has been shown to affect hormones in males who have not reached puberty.
• Lemon verbena: If topically applied before sun exposure, this oil can cause photosensitivity and may result in burning.
• Nutmeg: This oil may cause a rash or a burn if applied topically. It can also cause hallucinations and even coma when ingested in high concentrations.
• Peppermint: This oil can cause rash and other irritations when applied to the skin. It can also cause heartburn if taken internally.
• Sage: If a large amount is ingested, this oil can cause restlessness, vomiting, vertigo, rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures, and kidney damage.
• Tea tree: When applied topically, this oil can cause rash or irritation. If swallowed, it can cause loss of muscle coordination and confusion. Ingestion may also affect hormones in males who have not reached puberty.

Essential oils are natural, but that doesn't mean they can be used without taking precautions. Before using any essential oil, you should ask yourself ' and be able to answer ' the following questions:

What method do you want to use?

The method you use is based on the desired effect. Are you looking for mood-altering effects (aromatherapy)? Are you looking to treat a skin ailment or relieve pain (topical)? Or, are you looking to treat a medical condition (oral or aromatherapy)?

Does the oil need to be diluted?

Most essential oils, unless they are considered OK to apply 'neat,' need to be diluted. Always check the dilution guidelines.

Does the oil increase photosensitivity?

In general, citrus essential oils increase photosensitivity. Applying them before sun exposure can cause serious skin burns.

Does the oil have any clinical interactions?

Some essential oils, absorbed into the body through aromatherapy, can cause an adverse reaction when used with other medications or supplements. They may also trigger or worsen symptoms of an underlying medical condition.

Is the oil safe to use around infants, children, or pets?

Always check whether a specific essential oil is safe for children and pets. Keep in mind that what might be safe for dogs may be poisonous for cats. Cats are more sensitive to essential oils than other pets. Avoid using aromatherapy in public.

Is the oil safe to ingest?

Essential oils that are perfectly safe when used topically or in aromatherapy may be toxic when ingested. Certain oils, like wintergreen, can be deadly.

In general, essential oils should be treated like other medications, supplements, or harmful materials. This means exercising caution when purchasing, storing, and using them.

Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets

It's not enough to keep your essential oils out of view. In order to ensure safety, place all essential oils in a lockable case and store them in a cupboard out of reach. Alternatively, store them in a high-up cabinet and add a child lock.

When diffusing, don't exceed 30- to 60-minute intervals

With essential oils, less is often more. Exceeding the ideal times doesn't amplify the oil's benefits. In fact, it can actually create stress on your body, especially the nervous system.

Only diffuse in well-ventilated areas

As a general rule, if all you can smell is the essential oil, your area is not well-ventilated. In such cases, you risk irritating your respiratory system.

When in doubt, dilute the oil

Never use photosensitizing oils before UV exposure

Always wash your hands after using essential oils

If you have remnants of essential oils on your hands and you rub your eyes or scratch the inside of your ears, you could experience a serious adverse reaction. Essential oils shouldn't come into contact with eyes and ears.

Keep all essential oils away from flames

Essential oils are highly flammable. They shouldn't be used or stored near candles, gas stoves, lit cigarettes, or open fireplaces.

Practicing caution and following safety guidelines will help ensure a positive experience using essential oils. However, adverse reactions can still happen. Knowing what to do if side effects do occur is part of responsibly using essential oils.

In most cases, minor side effects can be taken care of at home.

If essential oils get into your eyes, you can do one of two things:

• Soak a cotton swab in a food-grade fatty oil like sesame or olive. Wipe the swab over your closed eyelid.
• Immediately flush the area with cool, clean water.

If you're experiencing skin irritation: Use a fatty oil or cream to absorb and wipe the essential oil away.

If you accidentally ingest an oil, immediately contact your local poison control center. Then, follow these precautions:

• drink full-fat or 2% milk
• avoid vomiting
• keep the essential oil bottle handy to show the emergency response team

Michelle Pugle is a Canadian-based health & wellness writer. She has a diploma in holistic nutritional therapy, a double bachelor's in English and Sociology, and a master's in research theories. Her work has been featured in magazines, anthologies, and on websites around the world.

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