lichtführendes

Lichtführendes is a German term used in optics to describe a medium or structure that guides light along a desired path. As an adjective, it is formed from Licht, meaning light, and führendes, meaning guiding or leading. In technical contexts it often appears in compounds such as lichtführende Faser (light-guiding fiber) or lichtführendes Medium (light-conducting medium).

Principle: Light guiding is typically achieved by controlling the refractive index profile of the material. In most applications, a core with a higher refractive index is surrounded by a cladding with a lower index, enabling total internal reflection. This confines light to the core and allows propagation with relatively low loss. Modes can be single or multiple depending on geometry and wavelength.

Applications: The most widespread example is the optical fiber used in telecommunications. More generally, lichtführende Strukturen include integrated photonic waveguides on chips, planar or cylindrical waveguides in sensors, medical devices, and display technologies. Research continues to develop new materials and geometries to expand bandwidth, reduce loss, and enable nonlinear or quantum optical functionalities.

Related terms: The concept is closely related to optical waveguides and the field of optoelectronics. While lichtführend describes guiding light, terms like lichtemittierend (emitting light) and lichtabsorbierend (absorbing light) describe other optical interactions. In German literature, expressions such as Lichtwellenleiter (optical fiber) or lichtleitende Schicht are common.