What is a point light source?

 

In contrast to large light sources, a point light source has a very small spatial extent. High luminance is required for a point light source to achieve good radiant output. A point light source with high luminance can be created by focusing a laser on a fluorescent ceramic converter or in high density gas. The ends of optical fibers with a small diameter have the character of point light sources. Point light sources have the advantage that they can be collimated with a collimator with low divergence. This means that the light can be transported over long distances without diverging very much. Point light sources can also be focused again on a small point, which is not possible with large light sources. Many optical lighting systems can be implemented better and with less effort using point light sources.

Why do we need point light sources?

Point light sources are used in optical lighting systems when light must be focused on a small point and/or collimated with low divergence.

 

What point light sources are there?

For example, a point light source is created when a laser is focused on a fluorescent ceramic converter or in high density gas. The ends of small-diameter optical fibers can also be referred to as point light sources.