Light pipes transport light from the source to some remote location for a wide variety of applications such as signal indication or backlighting. This carriage of light is accomplished with Total Internal Reflection.

To understand Total Internal Reflection, one has to go back in time to your college Physics class and dust off one of the basic principals of light movement, that being Snell’s Law. Snell’s Law explains the correlation between the Angle of Incidence and Angle of Refraction when light rays pass through a boundary from one medium to another (i.e. plastic and air). When light crosses that boundary between the materials, the light beam will be partially reflected and partially refracted. If a path is developed that permits light to travel from a medium with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index, the Angle of Incidence can be greater than the Critical Angle, which allows the phenomenon of Total Internal Reflection to take place. Total Internal Reflection is accomplished due to the fact that at this critical junction, the Angle of Incidence at which light is refracted will cause it to travel along the boundary until it ceases from ever crossing the boundary and instead is totally reflected back internally.

VCC is a leader in lightpipe design that accomplishes the goal of Total Internal Reflection. Using high-quality, optical grade acrylic, VCC’s patented Litepipe® series is polished with the latest technological equipment to achieve clear, scratch free surfaces. Combined with VCC’s Fresnel Rings, you can implement a flexible, reliable and powerful means of communication. Our Litepipes® will greatly increase design possibilities as they are offered in round, rectangular and square shapes. VCC Litepipes® also come in a variety of sizes and mounting types. The LMS and LCS series of Litepipes® are moisture sealed and can be used in environments with adverse conditions, including outdoors. Our wide viewing angles and the latest innovation, the Flexfire Flexible Litepipe®, make VCC the best supplier for your Total Internal Reflection and light shifting needs. Contact VCC today and one of our dedicated personnel will guide you through the ideal selection for your project.