Light Emitting Plasma (LEP) is an electrode-less solid state technology that shares similar benefits to LED like energy efficiency, longevity, and reliability but has a higher lumen density (up to 200x greater) and a full color spectrum without phosphor conversion - resulting in superior performance in higher lumen applications. Powering a lamp without electrodes in a compact resonator allows a completely sealed and more robust quartz lamp, a directional beam pattern to improve optical efficiency, and dimmable to 20% that enhances lamp life.

LEP is best used for high luminance applications at heights above 25 feet and can replace up to 1000 W HID Lamps with un-matched life time of 50000 Hours

Griffin & Ray LEP fixtures are constructed from low copper content die-cast aluminum and come with a polyester powder coat in natural for a long-lasting, durable finish. Griffin & Ray light fixtures using LEP can deliver better color recognition than competing HID products which translates into brighter colors and a warmer, more inviting work environment.

A radio-frequency signal is generated and amplified by the RF driver, which is guided into the ceramic resonator through a low loss coaxial cable. The structure of the resonator concentrates the RF field, delivering energy to the fully-sealed quartz lamp without electrodes or filaments. The highly concentrated electric field ionizes the gasses and vaporizes the halides in the lamp - creating a plasma state at its center - resulting in an intense source of white light.

Inside the back of the lamp, a diffuse yet highly reflective material is used to reflect all of this light to the forward direction in a Lambertian pattern. The colour of the light is tailored by the fill chemistry inside the lamp to provide a naturally white and high colour rendering light

The brilliance of LEP's architecture lies in its simplicity. By energizing a plasma arc without using filaments or electrodes, all failure modes and inefficiencies of traditional HID technology are eliminated, leaving behind an incredibly bright and stable source.

An RF circuit is established by connecting an RF power amplifier to a ceramic resonator known as the “puck”. In the centre of the puck is a sealed quartz lamp that contains metal halide materials and other gases.

The puck, driven by the power amplifier, creates a standing wave confined within its walls. The electric field is strongest at the centre of the lamp, which causes ionization of the gases, creating a glow.

The ionized gas in turn heats up and evaporates the metal halide materials forming an intense plasma column within the lamp. This plasma column is centred within the quartz envelope and radiates light very efficiently.

Key Benefits of LEP Lighting

High Lumen Output

One of the key benefits of LEP over LED and HID is the ability to scale in lumen output without losing efficiency and increasing system overhead like size and cost.

For example, in order to double the light output of an LED fixture, you need twice as many LEDs, optics, and driver. This proves to be problematic: thermal cross-talk lowers efficiency of the individual LEDs, adding components drive up cost and compromises system reliability, and luminary size increases proportionally

LEP sources, on the other hand, can double in light output by simply scaling the size of the bulb and using a higher power amplifier which only marginally impacts system performance. In addition, the source size remains small compared to the illumination optics and the emitter becomes more efficacious, giving you higher optical efficiency at high outputs

Light Distribution

The LEP emitter is constructed of a small electrode-less lamp encased by a ceramic resonator. This unique design produces light from a very compact area in a forward direction into a lambertian pattern.

The quartz lamp acts as a point source due to its minimal size, providing many advantages in a luminaire’s optical performance. Smaller sources inherently reduce the amount of optics needed to achieve the required level of glare cut off and illumination, while ensuring excellent uniformity.

Natural Illumination

LEP’s plasma 'arc' directly emits a full-spectrum white light without the need for a secondary phosphor conversion such as those used by LED or Induction sources. The natural illumination generated from the LEP source greatly enhances visibility and color appearance, with a CRI up to 95.

The full-spectrum signature also provides increased pupil lumens (with S/P ratio of 2.4), greatly enhancing visibility at night, when street and outdoor light is most needed. LEP’s natural illumination enables luminaries to create a safe, natural, and inviting environment.

Light Efficacy

LEP’s source efficacy, lumens created per watt consumed, is 15-20% higher than an HID source, because no power is wasted in heating electrodes. Plasma light source efficacy ranges from 115 to 150 LPW at operating temperatures.

LEP sources can be utilized to achieve application efficiency more effectively than HID, induction lighting or LED because of its directionality and size. The directional source prevents light from being trapped inside a luminaire. Point source optics effectively maps the source to the illuminated area, preventing unwanted light spill (a source for glare and light-pollution).

Extra Long Life

An LEP system for general lighting applications is rated for 70% lumen maintenance (L70) after 50,000 hours of use. Unlike typical HID light sources, LEP sources do not need to be de-rated for the length of operating cycles