1.

0 Introduction
1.1 Objective of the assignment

To research and extract all required information

To be creative in suggesting and modelling new luminaires with new efficient light sources

Gain understanding of Zemax

Present information in a clear but concise way in the research report

Demonstrate why this approach is better than the current state of the art

1.2 Abstract
This assignment uses the software ZEMAX to model optimal and efficient luminaires that can be
used for 2 different applications, for an office desk and a corridor. The office desk has a small
working area and a medium height. The corridor has a large area and a tall height. The height and
area to be illuminated are taken into consideration during the modelling of the luminaires. Various
light sources are to be used to demonstrate the understanding of the Zemax software. Modelling of
the luminaire is important, as the shape factor influences the luminaire efficiency. Target for this
assignment is to design luminaires that are even in light distribution, reduction of glare and
luminaire efficiency of at least 70%. The report will contain specific steps and reasons the steps are
taken in order to achieve a good luminaire design.

2.0 Literature Review

Purpose of luminaires
Luminaires have several functions that encourage its use in artificial lighting design. The basic few
that are associated with this assignment are highlighted below.

Reduction of glare
As light have a single focus point, there would naturally be glare from the light source. This is
particularly obvious for lighting an office desk. Light can be reflected off the desk and produce a
glare.

Spatial distribution
Light is distributed evenly using a luminaire. This allows the light to be spread out in a wider area
rather than a focused area.

Focusing light
As light is in a conic shape, the inverse square law indicates that the area of illuminance will
increase with height, but the illuminance itself will decrease. Luminaires can help the light focus
by reducing the area and increasing illuminance at the same distance. This is particularly useful
in high ceiling corridors.

Types of luminaires
There are various types of luminaires and each of them is used for different purposes. The diagram
below shows the various types of luminaires involved. Luminaires influences the design and how
artificial lighting is used to illuminate an area.

Figure 1: Types of luminaires [1]

Direct lighting
Direct lighting is where a luminaire is used to focus light into a specific area that is required.
Examples of direct lighting in the diagram above are task lighting and under-cabinet lighting.

Figure 2: Spatial distribution of direct lighting

Indirect lighting
Indirect lighting is when the light is reflected off the wall or ceiling. This type of luminaire
provides sufficient illuminance and reduces glare considerably. It is suitable for indoor lighting
such as meeting rooms or living room. Examples from the diagram are indirect pendant and wall
sconce

Figure 3: Spatial distribution of indirect lighting

Direct/indirect method allows light to be distributed both directly to the surface and also via
reflection of the ceiling. A direct indirect pendant is used for this application. This can only be
used with a light source that emits light from all direction, such as the CFL light bulb or the
incandescent light bulb.

Figure 4: Spatial distribution of direct/indirect lighting

Parabolic reflectors
Luminaires properties are determined from the fixtures shape factor. For this assignment, a
parabolic reflector has been employed. If a light source is placed at the focus of a parabola the result
will be a focused beam of lights emerging outward along the direction of the axis. This creates a
uniform light after it is reflected of the parabolic surface. This is shown as the figure below.

Figure 5: Lights reflected off the surface of a parabola

The law of reflection also applies to the parabola. From the diagram below, line EP is tangent to the
parabola at P, which makes P the point on the parabola. The distance of PF and PD is equal. Hence,
this makes PE the height of the triangle PFD. From the diagram, we can see that there is the same
angle between PAG and PEG. This correlates to the reflection law on a flat surface. [2]

Figure 6: Law of reflection applied to a parabolic reflector

Parabolic focus point

In order to achieve the best spatial distribution, the focus point of the parabolic is required. A
derivation of the formula is shown below.

Geometrical consideration shows that the angle the tangent line makes with the x-axis is as shown in
the diagram as . Hence, this can be written as;
tan =

To ensure the light is distributed evenly straight downwards, we conclude that the angle FCP is equal
to and angle QFP is 2. Based on trigonometry, the distance FQ is x/tan 2. This allows us to
calculate the focal length;
=+

tan 2

Replacing the trigonometric identity into the equation

tan 2 =

2 tan
1 2

Gives us the focal point calculation as

(1 2 )
=+
2 tan

The focal point of the design is necessary to ensure the spatial distribution is even and this can
reduce glare considerably.

Light source
This assignment will use 2 different light sources, the LED arrays and the filament incandescent light
source. The theory behind both will be studied.

Incandescent light bulb

The base of the light bulb has 2 metal contacts that are
connected to the ends of an electrical circuit. The metal
contacts are attached to two stiff wires which are attached
to a thin metal filament. The filament sits in the middle of
the bulb, held up by a glass mount. The glass bulb holds the
wires and the filaments and the bulb is filled with inert gas,
commonly argon. When electrical current is supplied, it

Figure 7: Incandescent light bulb

flows from one contact to another, through the wires and

filaments. The electrons move from a negatively charged area to a positively charged area. As
the electrons move through the filament, they bump into atoms that make up the filament. The
impact energy vibrates the atoms and the atoms heats up. This produces visible light.

Light emitting diodes (LED)

Unlike the conventional incandescent bulb that emits light from a vacuum, the LED light bulb
using a solid-state technology. This technology emits light from a piece of solid matter known as
a semiconductor. A typical semiconductor is made of positive and negative charged
components. The negative layer has free flowing electrons while the positive layer contains
openings known as holes for the electrons. When the semiconductor receives an electrical
charge, it activates the flow of electron from negative to positive. The excitation of the electrons
moving from negative to positive produces visible light. [4]

Figure 8: LED concept

3.0 Methodology
In order to first begin the assignment, the design specification is done.
Reflector

Standard Surface, Parabolic

Light Source

LED lights

Incandescent filament

In order to demonstrate competency in ZEMAX,

application of both light source will be used

Height

Illuminated area

Illuminance

600mm office desk

2800mm corridor

300mm diameter working area for office desk

2000mm diameter circle for corridor

500 lux for office desk

50 lux for corridors

(Based on CIBSE requirements)

Next, the procedures given during practical class is set up to produce 3 different surfaces.

Standard surface parabolic reflector

Light source

Detector surface

A step by step analysis will be done on each procedure of the design before the final result is
shown.

4.0 Design of lighting for an office

Lighting type
First, we will determine the type of lighting to be used.
Lighting type

LED radial source

Manufacturer

Luxeon Emitter

Product code

LXHL-BW02

Colour

White

Dimension

6mm diameter

The product data and specifications are included in the product data sheet, which is available on
the Appendix of this assignment.
LED arrangement
As LEDs have low power and small in size, it is common to arrange several LEDs into an array in
the luminaire. For this assignment, the LEDs are arranged in a 3x3 arrangement, giving us the use
of 9 LED. The half width for the LED is 3mm, as per the manufacturing data sheet.

The LED are arranged in a 3x3 arrangement as shown in the layout. If all the LEDs are placed close
together, this will only be similar to one large light source. Hence there must be a separation
between the LED. The LED are separated by 2.5mm on both x-axis and y-axis.
LED placement on z-axis
Unlike filament light source, LED emits light on multiple directions that has been set. It does not emit
a 360 light. The diagram below shows how LED emits light.

Figure 9: layout rays of LED light emission

Hence, as LED emits no lights upwards, the best point to place the LEDs are at the minimum
aperture, or at point zero on the z-axis.
However, as the point zero on the z-axis has very small area, the surface area would not be sufficient
to accommodate the 3x3 LED arrangements. Hence, adjustments have to be made to ensure the
LEDs are all inside the reflector. This is done by setting the minimum aperture to 0, and moving the
LED on the z-axis slowly downwards until all the LED are inside the parabolic reflector (as shown in
the diagram).

The diagram shows that all LED are inside the parabolic reflector at a height of 3mm on the zaxis. This is the minimum height possible.
Varying the angular data
As we are using the source radial, the angular data can be varied to achieve the spatial distribution
that is required. The LXHL-BW02 has a batwing angular displacement, as shown on the diagram.

Figure 10: Typical representative spatial radiation pattern

As the relative intensity is different at various degrees, we will have to input the values that we
require.
As we want a more even distribution, and not a batwing distribution, the angular data is changed on
ZEMAX.
A 5 point angular data is chosen and the values are as shown below.

At 0 degrees, we want the close to maximum distribution. Hence, 98% relative intensity is required.
At 22.5 degrees, the graph at figure 10 shows higher relative intensity than 0 degrees. Hence we vary
the value, and set it slightly lower at 80%
At 45 degrees, the relative intensity is even higher based on figure 10. Hence we vary the value to
70%
At 67.5 and 90 degrees, the LED is unable to emit any light in this direction based on figure 10.
Hence we input the values as 0 in ZEMAX.

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Once these values have been varied, the relative intensity will be more even, around the range of
60%. This eliminates the batwing shape of distribution and a more even distribution is obtained.
Parabolic reflector
As LED lights are emitted in different angles, some of the lights are emitted at such a low angle it
does not hit the parabolic reflector. The practical procedure suggested a radius of 100. This provides
a very small reflector and most of the lights are not bounced off the reflector. Hence, the radius of
the reflector is reduced to increase the size of the reflector.

The layout rays shows that most of the lights are reflected at the reflector.
It also shows that the lights reflected are moving downwards in a straight line which makes it
perpendicular to the detector surface.
This would ensure that the reflector is functional to reflect rays and focus them on the working area
at an even distribution.
This means the most effective radius was obtained using ZEMAX to be 16.5mm.
However, once a trace is done, the result was a ring shape distribution, with zero illuminance at the
middle of the detector. This means more modification is needed at the parabolic reflector, as no
light is aimed at the middle.
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The maximum aperture in the procedures is at 150. By reducing the aperture, the ring shape
becomes smaller. The aperture was continually reduced until the light is mostly concentrated on the
middle of the working area and the ring was eliminated. This ensured that the entire working area is
illuminated.
The ideal maximum aperture is at 80mm.
Placing the detector
As the working area of the office desk is 300mm in diameter, this means the half width for both x
and y axis of the detector is 150mm.
The z-axis corresponds to the distance between the luminaire and the desk, which is set to 600mm.
Summary of design
Light source

Parabolic Reflector
Material

Type

Mirror

Radial

16.5mm

Analysis Ray

500000

-1

X half width

3mm

Max.Aperture

80mm

Y half width

3mm

Min.Aperture

5mm

Radius
Conic

Number of LED

Detector
Surface
X half
width
Y half
width
Z-axis

Detector rectangular
150
150
600mm

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Final Design

The final design is as shown above.

The light is evenly distributed and concentrated to the centre of the working area.
Most of the area is illuminated, except for the edges. This is not possible as the reflector shape is
parabolic, hence it can only illuminate a circular area.
The efficiency of the luminaire can be calculated based on the total power and the applied power of
the LED.
=

6.5222
9

= . %

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Based on the manufacturing data in the Appendix 1, the typical luminous flux for 1 watt LED light
source of LXHL-BW02 is 45 lm. Hence, employing 2 watts of 9 LED would give us:
9 2 45 = 810
Using the luminaire efficiency that has been obtained from ZEMAX and calculate the amount of
luminous flux on the working surface
0.725 810 = 587.25
This gives the working area to be illuminated with 587.25 lm.

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5.0 Design of lighting for a corridor

Placing the detector
For this part of the assignment, the working corridor is much larger. Hence, based on the 2000mm
diameter working circle, the half width for x-axis and y-axis is set to 1000mm.
The height is set on the z-axis to be 2800mm
Focusing the luminaires
Based on the inverse square law, as the height increases, the area illuminated also increases. But the
illuminance is reduced as well.

Hence, as the distance between the corridor and the light source is very huge, the illuminance
received on the corridor becomes significantly little. This can be observed in ZEMAX.
Thus, the reflector needs to focus the light source to illuminate a smaller area instead. This is done
on ZEMAX and the result was obtained, where now it is possible to see the illuminated area on the
detector.
To focus the light instead of scattering it, the radius is changed to a smaller value, 35mm. This allows
the light to be focused as more light rays will come into contact with the reflector.

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Luminaire arrangement
As it is not possible to illuminate the large surface area by using just one luminaire, multiple
luminaires are employed for this purpose. Based on one luminaire above, we can see at least 9
luminaires will be needed in order to illuminate the entire area. This can be done by using a 3x3
arrangement of the luminaires.

The diagram above shows the top view of the luminaire arrangement. From this luminaire
arrangement, most areas will now be illuminated accordingly.
A trace is then done on ZEMAX to see the required results.

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The trace result shows that the area has been mostly illuminated. However, the light distribution is
still not very evenly distributed. This is because the light source has not been placed at the right
focus point, since the radius of the reflector has been changed.
By moving the light on the Z-axis, we can place the light source on the focus point. This will provide a
more even distribution.

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From the results, the corridor area is evenly illuminated. The luminaire efficiency can be calculated
using the same formula as used before.
=

6.3783
9

= %
Complete design parameters that are used in ZEMAX is attached in the APPENDIX section of this
assignment.

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6.0 Conclusion
Upon the completion of this assignment, there are several items that need to be concluded.
ZEMAX is a very useful tool that can be used to design luminaires and lenses. While it is possible to
theoretically calculate the amount of illuminance and the distribution of light on a surface area, It is
better to model this on the computer software. The final values that are obtained from ZEMAX can
be used for further calculation.
There is a significant difference when different light source is used. The LED light source requires the
light to be placed at a minimum aperture. The filament light source needs to be placed at a focus
point on z axis.
This is because the radial light source emits light in several direction only, and not 360 like the
filament light source.
The reflector shape factor makes a different on the way light is focused on a surface. By having a
large radius of reflector, the light is spread more widely while a smaller radius focuses the light to a
smaller area.

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7.0 References
1. Autodesk,2011. Light Fixtures and Layout. Sustainability Workshop. [Online] Available at
http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/light-fixtures-and-layout
2. Wisdom,N., 2013. Reflective Property of a parabola. Department of Mathematics Education. The
University of Georgia.
3. Draper,P.,2009. Focusing properties of spherical and parabolic mirrors. Santa Cruz institute for
Particle Physics. University of California.
4. Layton,J.,2009. How LED light bulb works. [Online] Available at
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/sustainable/led-light-bulb1.htm
5. Radiant Zemax, 2014. How to Model LEDs and Other Complex Sources. [Online] Available at
http://kb-en.radiantzemax.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50241.aspx

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Appendix
Arrangement of luminaire on shaded model for a corridor

Top view of luminaire arrangement

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Design parameters for corridor

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