Plant Research Unit Lighting System Development

As part of the PRU project a new plant lighting system has been developed. System design focused on light source development, chamber optical performance improvements and electronics optimization. Central to the lighting system performance is a high density LED Light Engine, enabling increased spectral diversity, higher irradiance levels, enhanced uniformity and improved efficiency. Chamber wall surface materials were tested to minimize the vertical irradiance gradient and improve planar uniformity. Total lighting system efficiency was improved through the use of switching converter LED drive circuitry. As an alternative to the LED light source, an advanced planar fluorescent lighting source has also been developed.