Antireflective Materials for High-Efficiency Lighting

Light loss at optical interfaces reduces the efficiency of every solid-state lighting product on the market today. This loss of 8 to 12% originates from reflections that occur when light moves between air and an optical material such as a lens. Glint Photonics, Inc. proposes to develop new low-cost antireflective materials that greatly reduce light loss at optical interfaces. These materials use nano-scale structures to mimic the naturally-occurring antireflective properties of moth eyes. The new antireflective materials can be applied both to luminaire optics and to the solid-state light sources themselves. During Phase I, Glint will evaluate existing commercial antireflective materials for use on the planar surfaces of luminaire optics, and will also develop initial proof-of-concept fabrication procedures for creating antireflective surfaces on non-planar optics and on solid-state light sources. During Phase II, Glint will mature at least one of these technologies to achieve a fully-optimized, highly robust, low-cost antireflective surface technology that can provide significant efficiency improvements to a wide range of solid- state lighting products.When applied to solid-state lighting components, these antireflective materials can increase system efficiency by 8% to 12%, without requiring any other design changes. This improvement reduces electrical energy use in lighting and saves money for lighting customers. The materials also provide improved lighting quality by reducing undesirable glare.