True Sunlight Brings Warmth and Hope
True Sunlight Brings Warmth and Hope
LEP contains humanity's reverence for nature and technological compassion
I. Evolution of Light Environments: From Basic Illumination to Health Demands
In contemporary society, lighting technology has transcended its initial phase of merely pursuing luminous efficiency. With advancements in scientific research, humanity's understanding of light environments is undergoing a revolutionary transformation - we are beginning to focus on the profound impacts of photobiological effects on human circadian rhythms, emotional regulation, and immune systems. How to replicate the health benefits of sunlight in artificial lighting has become a core challenge in global lighting technology.
II. The Enlightenment and Dilemma of Artificial Skylights
The indoor artificial skylight launched by Italy's CoeLux in 2018 achieved spatial separation of direct LED white light and refracted blue light through sophisticated optical design (Figure 1), creating a realistic blue skylight visual effect. This seemingly simple innovation contains significant breakthroughs: it introduced the psychological therapeutic value of natural light into indoor lighting design for the first time.
However, when this concept entered the domestic market, concerning distortions emerged. Some manufacturers indiscriminately incorporated scientific concepts in marketing: misusing 40Hz gamma brainwaves (originally from neuroscience) and even substituting radioactive γ-rays, claiming benefits ranging from brain health improvement to endocrine regulation and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This marketing strategy of packaging basic light environment improvement as "light therapy miracle devices" exposes regulatory deficiencies in the industry.
Schematic diagram of Artificial Skylights
III. Scientific Truth of Full-Spectrum Lighting
To define the boundaries of light health value, we must return to spectral essence:
Sunlight Standard: Natural sunlight spectrum spans 280-2500nm continuous bands, containing ideal ratios of UV (5%), visible light (50%), and infrared (45%);
LED Limitations: White LEDs are fundamentally blue chips exciting phosphors, with spectra limited to 400-760nm, featuring inherent flaws like 430-460nm blue peaks and infrared deficiency, yet often misleadingly marketed as full-spectrum;
Full-Spectrum Myths: Current "full-spectrum" LEDs typically combine UV, white, and infrared chips, facing technical challenges including asynchronous light decay (Figure 2), color deviation (Ra<80), and uneven illumination.
Comparison of Spectral Characteristics of Three Light Sources: Sunlight, LEP Light Source, and White LED
IV. Dawn of Artificial Sunlight
Microwave plasma lighting (LEP) represents a milestone in pursuing true full-spectrum light. Initially developed around 2000 by a team including members of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and UC professors, LEP began commercialization in 2012. After a decade of independent R&D, CASM has mastered core LEP technology. LEP produces solar-like spectra through microwave excitation of metal halides and inert gases:
Spectral Range: 290-1800nm continuous distribution
Performance: Ra97 CRI, electrode-free operation (80% efficiency maintained for 50,000 hours), AAA-grade spectral matching with sunlight
Applications: From deep-sea submarines to underground mines, delivering "sunlight prescriptions" for extreme environments
LEP lighting in the ship's interior cabin
V. Three Challenges for a Brighter Future
Despite LEP's disruptive potential, its adoption faces barriers:
Technical Barriers: Rare metal halide formulations resemble "optical formula codes" with nuclear engineering-level complexity;
Market Gaps: Sub-100W LEP applications await technical breakthroughs for residential use, while high-power applications (e.g., 270W streetlights) outperform 460W sodium lamps with 40% lower costs yet lack market awareness;
Cognitive Shift: Transitioning from "space illumination" to "life nourishment" requires public education.
Comparison of the effectiveness of LEP street lights and HPS street lights
Epilogue:
Life's True Connoisseurs Savor Sunshine's Essence
In CASM's laboratory, the warm glow of next-gen LEP "artificial dawn" contains not just dancing photons, but humanity's reverence for nature and technological compassion. Just as incandescents initiated Light Health 1.0 and LEDs propelled Light Health 2.0, LEP may pioneer the "Light Health 3.0" era - not mere technological iteration, but a paradigm shift from "visual lighting" to "vital illumination." To make eternal suns rise in every underground mine and craft customized dawns for cities - this may be lighting technology's most profound humanistic light.
Underground mine LEP lighting
Video: Plasma light source Lighting's Health Revolution
