Fiber Optic Backlighting: Everything You Need to Know
Backlighting is an essential part of many devices. From touchscreens and computer monitors to membrane switches, industrial machinery interfaces and more, it consists of a light-producing system. There are different types of backlighting, however. Fiber optic, for instance, has become a popular backlighting technology. If you're thinking about choosing it for a device, there are a few things you need to know about fiber optic backlighting.
What Is Fiber Optic Backlighting?
Fiber optic backlighting consists of many small strands of optical fiber. Optical fiber receives its namesake from its ability to carry light. It serves as a conduit to light. Light can travel from one end of optical fiber to the opposite end. Fiber optic backlighting is characterized by the use of optical fiber, which is responsible for distributing the light across the device with which it's used.
How Fiber Optic Backlighting Works
Unlike other types of backlighting, fiber optic backlighting doesn't actually produce light. Rather, it distributes light. It's simply known as "fiber optic backlighting" because it consists of optical fiber. The optical fiber used in fiber optic backlighting consists of thin strands of glass or plastic material.
Most fiber optic backlighting systems work in conjunction with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are diodes that, when powered by electricity, produce light. LEDs don't distribute light; they produce light. Devices are often designed with LEDs and fiber optic backlighting. The LEDs produce light, which travels through the optical fiber before being distributed across the device.
