Frequently Asked Questions

L.E.S.S. SA’s technology is a new photonic technology that uses a laser coupled with a nanoactive optical fiber as an illumination source, which allows to produce an extremely powerful and concentrated light with a very small diameter.

This technology has many advantages over traditional lighting sources. First, it provides very high brightness, which is especially useful for inspecting tiny parts or highly reflective surfaces. It also provides better light uniformity, which results in higher quality images.

In addition, L.E.S.S. SA’s technology is particularly well suited for the inspection of moving parts, as it produces a very stable beam of light that does not move even when the part is rotating.

In conclusion, our technology takes benefits from the best of laser technology and distributed nano-lighting concepts to deliver high luminosity, better light uniformity and increased stability of the light beam. Our sources of light are an interesting alternative to traditional lighting sources and could be used more and more frequently in these fields in the future.

A diffusing fiber lighting technology is a type of lighting system that uses fibers to transmit and diffuse light from a source to a specific area. The diffusing fibers are typically made of plastic or glass, and they are designed to diffuse the light at 360 degrees around the fiber and exhibits a strong decay in light intensity as it travels through them. This creates a soft but non-uniform illumination that may be used in residential and decoration settings to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

On the contrary, our technology refers to a functional lighting fiber technology that is designed for a specific purpose or function. L.E.S.S. SA is specialized in functional lighting fiber technology. Our products are designed to provide specific types of illumination that exhibit ultra-bright, ultra-uniform and ultra-compact lighting characteristics. Light is generated by nano-antenna integrated inside the optical fiber such that the illumination is confined inside a defined cone of light from the side of the optical fiber and its intensity does not decay as it travels through them. This creates a bright illumination that may be used in applications that require specific functions, such as inspection lighting or automotive lighting that needs a combination of high intensity, high uniformity, and high directionality.

The colour temperature of a light is a measure of the hue of the light, and it is typically expressed in degrees Kelvin (K). A light with a lower colour temperature appears warmer and more yellow or orange, while a light with a higher colour temperature appears cooler and more white.

For example, a light with a colour temperature of 3000K would be considered a warm white light, while a light with a colour temperature of 6000K would be considered a cool white light.

It’s important to note that colour temperature is not related to the intensity or brightness of a light. A light with a high colour temperature can still be dim, and a light with a low colour temperature can still be bright.

Our technology allows for designing a specific colour or colour temperature with a high degree of consistency along the fiber illumination path.

The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) is a measure of how accurately a light source renders the colours of objects that it illuminates. It is a scale from 0 to 100, with higher values indicating more accurate colour rendering.

The CRI is determined by comparing the colours of a set of standard test samples under a reference light source with the colours of the same test samples under the light source being evaluated.

A light source with a CRI of 100 is considered to be perfect at rendering colours, while a light source with a CRI of 80 or above is generally considered to be good at rendering colours. Light sources with a CRI of 70 or below may not render colours accurately, and they may cause colours to appear washed out or distorted.

Read more about it: “Article: What does CRI mean and why is it important?”

Illuminance is the measure of the amount of light that falls on a surface. It is typically measured in lux (lx), which is a unit of illuminance equal to one lumen per square meter.

The illuminance of a light source depends on a variety of factors, including the intensity of the light, the distance of the light source from the surface, and the angle at which the light hits the surface. A light source that is close to a surface or that is angled directly at the surface will produce a higher illuminance than a light source that is farther away or angled away from the surface.

Illuminance is important because it determines the amount of light that is available for a task or activity. Different tasks or activities may require different levels of illuminance, and the appropriate illuminance for a particular task or activity can depend on a variety of factors, such as the sensitivity of the task, the age of the person performing the task, and the ambient light conditions.

Our technology exhibits a very low thermal quenching* at the fiber location. This means that the light output is less sensitive to temperature changes due to the light source of the environmental conditions and does not significantly decreases over time. This can be an advantage over time in a number of ways.

For example, low thermal quenching can increase the reliability and lifespan of a light source, because it is less likely to be damaged by heat. It can also make a light source more energy efficient because it will be able to maintain a consistent level of light output even as it gets hotter.

This low thermal quenching characteristics can also make a light source more suitable for use in certain applications or environments where temperature changes are common or where high temperatures are present. For example, a low thermal quenching light source might be preferred for use in a hot, humid climate or in an application where the light source will be exposed to high temperatures.

*Thermal quenching refers to the reduction in light output of a light source due to an increase in temperature. All light sources are affected by thermal quenching to some extent, but some are more affected than others.

Our technology is based on a photonics distributed light source, a type of light source that produces a broad, even distribution of light. A distributed light source provides uniform lighting due to its ability to produce a more even distribution of light across the illuminated area. When the light is distributed evenly, it creates a more uniform illumination that does not have noticeable bright or dark spots. This can be particularly beneficial in applications where a consistent level of illumination is important, such as in a laboratory or a workshop.

Another reason why a distributed light source provides uniform lighting is that it reduces the intensity of the light at any given point. When the light is spread out over a larger area, the intensity at any given point is lower, which can make the lighting more comfortable and less harsh. This can be especially important in environments where people will be performing repetitive tasks over long periods of time.

Overall, distributed light sources are a good choice for applications where a uniform, comfortable lighting is desired.

End-user safety is the key driver in all our developments. Everyone in our team is involved to ensure our product will be and will remain safe from conception until its end of life. This is a key point addressed through our product integrity process which allows us to identify and treat all the potential risks, including the specific risks linked to our laser technology.

Thus, our products have been developed with two safety systems (optoelectronics and mechanical) in order to guarantee the highest safety to the end-user through a laser product class 1 classification according to IEC 60825-1.

From the optoelectronics side, a safety electronic is constantly monitoring the light emission and will turn off instantaneously the light source if any system dysfunction is detected. From the mechanical side, a mechanical interlock guarantees no access to the laser source in case of maintenance and/or other exterior access.

Read more about it: “Article: Designing eye-safe laser and lighting products?”

Our fiber lighting technology is a game-changer in the world of environmentally friendly lighting solutions. Not only does it provide bright, high-quality lighting that is easy on the eyes, but it also has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional lighting methods.

One of the key benefits of fiber lighting is its energy efficiency. Because light is only generated directly where it is used it requires less energy to operate. This not only reduces the amount of energy needed to power the lights, but it also cuts down on the greenhouse gases emitted during the generation of that electricity.

Another benefit lies in its production process. As the company’s name “L.E.S.S.” suggests the production of fiber optic lighting uses fewer raw materials and generates less waste compared to traditional lighting technologies. This means that the overall carbon footprint of fiber lighting is much lower throughout its entire lifecycle, from production to disposal.

But perhaps most impressively, our fiber lighting technology allows for a significant reduction in CO² emissions. In fact, for every product sold, when combining the energy efficiency to the low weight characteristics of our technology, we estimate that we are able to save few tens of kg of CO². For a small volume of EV car equipped with our technology, this can represent the equivalent of the annual electricity use of a thousand American households while for a high volume of EV cars equipped, this can represent the equivalent of the annual electricity use of a small American city.

Our fiber technology has been recognized by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and the Technology Fund for its innovative and cutting-edge nature in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This award supports Swiss companies that offer products that contribute to this effort.

Our fiber lighting technology not only provides bright and energy-efficient lighting, but it also helps to reduce our carbon footprint and combat climate change. By selecting fiber lighting, you can benefit from high-quality lighting while also contributing to the protection of the environment.

Read more under: “L.E.S.S. SA recognised for its environmental impact by the Technology Fund”.