Fiber-Optic Panels Replace EL Lamps In Backlighting Apps

Made of woven plastic optical fibers, these thin, light-emitting panels have been developed for use in backlighting LCDs, membrane switches, and other products. Only one LED is required to backlight a standard 2 x 16 LCD (assuming a 16 x up to 200-mm viewing area), with the backlight delivering about 30 fL at just 30 mA-- ,larger panels may require additional LEDs. The panels are said to offer the high brightness of electroluminescent (EL) lamps but without the latter's degradation in brightness. The long life (100,000+ hr.) devices also operate at very low power (5 mW/in.² avg.), emit no heat or EMI, and require no inverter to power them up.