Mar 23, 2021

Gaggione and LensVector have teamed up to create an electronically-shaped narrow beam light engine. It combines Gaggione’s LLC66N7 67mm narrow beam collimating optic with LensVector’s 65mm M2M liquid crystal lens (black-edged front optic in image right) – to the collimator has to be added a lens holder (far below) making ‘LLS66NCLV assembled set’. “This complete, modular drop-in optical system solution enables digital control from the narrowest beam of light to the widest flood without mechanical intervention, making it easier than ever for luminaire manufacturers to offer high quality collimating narrow beam optics that enable electronic beam shaping.” claimed Gaggione. The liquid crystal lens is a voltage-controlled beam spreader (graph left). There are three sizes with 35, 48 or 65mm clear diameter. In each case, dynamic beam shaping is 5 – 55°, central efficiency is 88% to 80% and total flux transmission is ~90 – 85%. Voltage drive is through four wires. “The lens is sensitive only to the ac components of the differential voltages DR1A – DR1B and DR2A – DR2B,” said the company, “therefore, DR1A can be swapped with DR1B and DR2A can be swapped with DR2B, without affecting the behaviour of the lens.” Electronics Weeklyhas asked for more information on required drive. Adding the above left characteristics to a 10°beam apparently results in the FWHM curve here on the right: Combined with COB leds, applications are foreseen for the adjustable beam former in high-performance track fixtures and commercial to COBs and to the newest high-density LED arrays for smaller high-performance track fixtures and commercial downlights.