… info about light, optics, lighting …
From Fermilab — classical, relativistic and quantum descriptions of light.
“Perspective is deeply linked with human vision, geometrical optics, and inherent technical relations. In this section, we explore the sources of these visual factors, specifically to define the fundamental nature of perspective.”
“The guide contains color and light activities using lenses, prisms and mirrors to create telescopes, periscopes, microscopes and kaleidoscopes. Other activities include finding focal length and understanding reflection, refraction and diffraction. Activities are marked by grade level.” Includes link to 98 page PDF.
Series of lessons produced by the Optics class at Montgomery Blair High School, designed to teach how light behaves in different situations.
Large, comprehensive inventory of Optical Components
German source for Optical Glass products and Optical Coatings
“Advancing the effective use of Light for Society and the Environment” – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
incandescent, halogen, LED and flourescent full spectrum light bulbs. ”…contain neodymium glass which filters out yellow and other dulling frequencies of the visible light spectrum, resulting in purified light with enhanced violet, blue, green, and red tones.” (Have used these for years, they make regular incandescents look sickly yellow by comparison)
“capture sunlight on your rooftop, redirect it down a highly reflective shaft, then diffuse it throughout your interior space”
“transfer natural sunlight by using a clear dome over a reflective shaft which ends at your ceiling with a sealed diffuser”
Comparison of lighting technologies available for use off the grid. Linked to from this guide.
”…to provide renewable energy technologies and high efficiency lighting to communities around the world that do not have access to appropriate and affordable energy solutions … transition away from using polluting fuel-based lighting and costly single-use batteries … training local technicians and developing the capacity of local service providers”
“dedicated to providing low-cost solar light and power to those without electricity across the globe.” See the Luke Light, which can be purchased through thier Buy One | Give One program.
Large list of links to eye-related resources, compiled on behalf of the Association of Vision Science Librarians
“…an important share of the UV burden to the eye is explained by back reflection of radiation from lenses to the eye … antireflective coatings considerably increase reflection of UV radiation. To provide reliable labeling of the protective potential of lenses, an eye-sun protection factor (E-SPF®) has been developed. It integrates UV transmission as well as UV reflectance of lenses.”
Light transmitting concrete!
“…a compilation of questions and answers relating to Light Emitting Diodes and their Infrared Emitter cousins.” Lots of info on how to use Light Emitting Diodes, including many related links.
Excellent compilation of links to information about LEDs. Also, see Don’s main lighting page.
Satellite monitoring of the artificial night sky brightness and the stellar visibility, from the Light Pollution Science and Technology Institute.