Multi-lens arrays (secondary optics) for LED luminaires · Matching the array to the LED package and board layout, beam width (FWHM), optical efficiency, peak intensity per lumen, PMMA material, fixing, and glare and colour uniformity in modular optics
An LED lens array is a single moulded part carrying multiple lenses, one over each LED on a board, that shapes the light of a luminaire into a beam of set width. It is designed for a particular LED package and spacing. Ask three things first: which LED and board layout the array is made for, what beam width, efficiency and intensity it gives with that LED, and how it is fixed, what material it is and how glare and colour uniformity have been checked.
Moulded multi-lens arrays (secondary optics) placed over LED boards in luminaires, including round and rectangular arrays, their holders and fixing. Single lenses, reflectors, diffusers, lightguides, and imaging microlens arrays for cameras or sensors are outside this page except where compared.
CNFX editorial research · Sources checked October 11, 2026 · 4 sources
A 2013 product data sheet for one maker's round lens array series designed for a specific LED family lists three versions, each 67 mm in diameter and 11.1 mm high, in clear optical-grade PMMA with pin and glue fixing: 10° FWHM at 91% efficiency (18.700 cd/lm), 26° at 83% (3.000 cd/lm) and 30° at 84% (2.100 cd/lm). The sheet notes that beam divergence changes with LED colour, chip size and chip position tolerance, and defines total divergence as the full angle at which intensity is half the peak. [1]
A data sheet for the same maker's 40 mm round lens array (10.7 mm high) for a different LED family lists 16° at 91% (6.700 cd/lm), 23° at 89% (3.200 cd/lm) and 28° at 86% (2.000 cd/lm). Both sheets say the series is designed and optimised for the named LED family and describe the PMMA as having high UV and temperature resistance. [2]
Editorial calculation: reading the sheets' cd/lm values with a decimal point (18.700 = 18.7 cd/lm), a 10° array over LEDs emitting 1,000 lm in total would give a peak of about 18.7 × 1,000 ≈ 18,700 cd, while the 30° version would give about 2,100 cd; confirm the notation and the lumen basis with the supplier. [1]
Editorial note: an array's published beam and efficiency apply to the LED it was designed for; ask for data or ray files with your exact LED and board pitch.
Give the supplier the LED package and part number, board layout and pitch, number of LEDs, target beam (FWHM and distribution type), required efficiency, operating temperature at the optic, material (PMMA or other) and UV exposure, fixing method (pins, glue, holder, screws), sealing and ingress needs, glare and uniformity requirements, and photometric data or ray files wanted.
02
Check optical efficiency, glare and colour uniformity
A 2018 final technical report to the US Department of Energy (Cree, High Efficacy, Multi-Functional Solid-State Lighting Platform) reports low-profile optical designs with highly uniform near- and far-field colour mixing (0.003 u'v') at high (>90%) optical efficiency. It describes a modular optic intended to turn the quasi-Lambertian emission of a domed LED package into a wide batwing distribution; an early variant simulated above 97% optical efficiency produced a high-luminance hot spot likely to cause glare, and reshaping entrance and exit surfaces gave a smooth distribution without significant loss of colour uniformity or efficiency. [3]
Editorial note: efficiency alone does not prove a good array; ask the supplier for luminance or glare checks and colour uniformity data with your LED, as well as the efficiency figure and whether it is measured or simulated.
03
Check street-light arrays for pitch, beam type and temperature
Khatod's lens test report for its VIA 2x3 family, last updated in February 2026, describes a clear PMMA array for street lighting measuring 50.00 × 50.00 mm and 7.15 mm high, with lenses on a 15.00 × 25.40 mm pitch, compatible with LED packages up to 5050 size and fixed with M3 screws at about 0.6/1.0 N·m. Khatod states measured efficiencies above 95% for its full-optical-surface design, which shapes the surface between the lenses to direct light falling there towards the street. [4]
The report gives each beam as the full angle at 50% and at 10% of maximum intensity, as in the table. It says its optical values come from simulations based on the LED makers' datasheet values, that photometric analysis was carried out on physical samples, and that a measured photometric file can be supplied if you send your PCB. The PMMA is rated −40 to +85 °C for long-term exposure and up to +90 °C for short exposure. [4]
Editorial note: compare an array's efficiency with other arrays only on the same basis, measured or simulated, and with your LED; ask for the measured file on your own board and for the temperature at the lens in your luminaire.
Lens array outline, material and optical data to request
Of these fields, only lens diameter, efficiency and material have values in the reviewed data sheets; focal length, surface accuracy and thickness tolerance sit in the maker's design data.
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
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Compiled and source-reviewed by the CNFX editorial team.
Each manufacturer above links to the page on that company's own website where the product is listed, with the date we checked it. How we source and review
· Page last updated 13 October 2026
Buyer questions
What beam angles do LED lens arrays give?
Two maker data sheets list 10° to 30° FWHM, measured as the full angle at half the peak intensity, for the LEDs they were designed for. [1][2]
How efficient are LED lens arrays?
The two sheets list 83% to 91%; a DOE-funded report describes modular optics above 90%. [1][2][3]
Does the LED change the beam?
Yes; the data sheet notes LED colour, chip size and chip position tolerance change the beam spread. [1]
Do LED lens arrays for street lighting give round beams?
Not only: Khatod's VIA 2x3 test report lists round 50°, 60° and 100° beams, a 100° square beam and IESNA Type II and Type III Medium distributions on one 50 × 50 mm PMMA array format. [4]
Sources and what still needs a direct check
Sources checked 2026-10-11. Two 2013 data sheets from one optics maker (via a distributor's document server) give the maker's own values for specific LEDs; the DOE report (2018) describes one company's funded development work.
