backlights

Backlights are light sources placed behind an object to illuminate it from behind or to improve visibility in low light. They are used in a variety of technologies and applications, often to enhance contrast, readability, and energy efficiency.

In display technology, backlights illuminate LCD panels, which do not emit light on their own. The most common backlight types are edge-lit and direct-lit LED assemblies; CCFLs were used in older displays. OLED displays do not require a backlight because each pixel emits its own light. LED backlights offer adjustable brightness, energy efficiency, and thinner panel designs. Full-array backlights with local dimming can provide more uniform brightness and better contrast by independently dimming zones.

In automotive applications, backlights refer to rear-facing lighting on vehicles, including taillights, brake lights, and rear-position lights, and, in some contexts, reverse lights. These lights must meet regulatory requirements for color, intensity, and placement to ensure visibility and safety across different driving conditions and jurisdictions.

Other uses of the term include backlit keyboards and signs, where illumination from behind improves legibility in dark environments. Backlighting is also a concept in photography and cinema, describing lighting that comes from behind a subject to create rim light or silhouette effects.

Key considerations for backlights include brightness and color consistency, power consumption, potential for flicker from dimming technologies, heat management in compact assemblies, and compliance with safety and automotive standards.