The goal of near-infrared enhanced LED lighting is to help restore some of the infrared (IR) energy from artificial lighting that was lost when solid-state lighting emerged as a dominant player in the lighting industry. It is well known that sunlight delivers almost 50% of its total radiated energy as IR (NIR+SWIR+MWIR+LWIR). The NIR component of the solar spectrum is about 20% relative to the visible light component. All living organisms use NIR energy in various biological and chemical processes. NIR light is also able to penetrate into the inner layers of the skin, and almost 3 inches deep in some cases. Therefore, NIR energy can reach muscles, nerves and even bones. Medical studies have shown that NIR light can even help in healing certain inflammatory conditions and repairing damage to the retina caused by ultraviolet and blue light .
Unfortunately, conventional LED lighting technologies were developed with the aim of maximizing visible light, as perceived by the human eyes. This is determined by the daytime photopic or nighttime scotopic eye sensitivity curves. While the light cones within the human eyes are not sensitive to infrared, the rest of the body still absorbs and utilizes a significant part of the invisible IR energy.
Using proprietary phosphor-converted LED technology, we can produce light fixtures and LED devices with enhanced near-infrared without compromising color quality or energy efficiency. In many cases, commercial LED fixtures can be converted to produce NIR light, in addition to visible. The linkable LED fixture shown below produces about 20% of NIR energy relative to the visible white light. This is accomplished while maintaining high color quality (CRI>90) and high energy efficiency.
A linkable 12 inch LED fixture with NIR enhanced white daylight spectrum and high color rendition