Application & Technical Notes
Below is technical and application information on ILT's Focused Lens-End Lamps. Many of our lamps can be purchased right from our e-store. To speak with one of our lamp experts, inquire about a customized lamp, or to ask about a sample, contact us using the form below.
ILT offers a variety of sizes and bases in our lens end lamps including miniature krypton, subminiature precision (T-¾ & T-1 sizes), precision midget, precision focused and precision un-based.Adding a lens-end to a miniature lamp increases the output often allowing for use of a lower wattage lamp. The lens gathers light resulting in an intensity increase of up to 10 times at the end of the lamp, as compared to the output of an equivalent lamp without lens, measured at the same point. This phenomenon makes possible a reduction in operational voltage of the lamp resulting in prolonged lamp life.
The most popular Lens- End lamps are Vacuum lamps mounted in a smooth or threaded base. However, other lens-end lamps, are available including halogen, argon and krypton gas filled, un-based, wire lead, and midget based lamps.
The purpose of the Lens-End is to gather light and project it into a useful direction. These Lens-End lamps by themselves cannot satisfy all requirements of an optical system. The lamps have both a focal length and working plane. The working plane is that area where light distribution is optimized for intensity, uniformity and consistency of light pattern. The working plane is typically located perpendicular to the lamp mechanical axis and at a distance of 0.5-3 millimeters from the lens-end. Figures 1 & 2 show typical working plane light patterns for both the 1/4 inch diameter and 1/2-20 diameter lamps.
Due to variations in the manufacturing process for these lamps the light pattern will vary slightly from lamp to lamp. A sample of lamps should be tested in any new design to ensure proper operation.To best utilize these Lens-End lamps it is recommended that the area to be illuminated (fiber optics aperture, or light guide) be placed directly into the working plane. For projection of the light at distances exceeding the distance of the working plane, the addition of an external lens is recommended. Using the working plane with an aperture as the source for a larger transfer lens can provide a uniform well-defined beam for illumination of a distant object.
Lens-End lamps are designed and constructed for those critical optical applications that require a miniature light source with high quality glass envelopes and precisely positioned compact tungsten filaments. These filaments are designed to operate at low voltage and high current providing for rugged construction, miniature size and high light output. Many of the sub-miniature lamps are equipped with sturdy coiled, C-6, and CC-6 filaments. Each filament is carefully positioned and secured to the electrodes.
Fabrication of these lamps occurs in atmospherically controlled environments, incorporating rigid production control. Inspection of each unit to stringent quality control standards is mandatory. The end results being quality glass bulbs free of contamination, filaments of consistent shape, and quality bases manufactured to extremely close tolerances.
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