Circadian lighting systems are ambient or task lights capable of producing biologically effective, dynamic white light that supports the natural biological rhythm to improve health, wellbeing, and performance. Circadian lighting is the core part of the human centric lighting (HCL) concept which goes beyond the basic visual needs of people to take into account the non-visual effects of optical radiation on human psychology and physiology. Unlike the traditional approach to lighting design that merely addresses the visual needs, HCL delivers an optimal balance of visual, emotional and biological benefits of lighting for humans. An HCL implementation brings the dynamics of outdoor ambiances into built environments to achieve positive biological functioning, visual performance and emotional satisfaction, the same way as natural daylight.
Circadian lighting is designed to synchronize human circadian rhythms to the 24-hour rhythm of the ambient changes. It enables the creation of light with its spectral composition and intensity aligned with key activities, which contributes favorably to mood, vitality, concentration, productivity and health individually or in some combination. Circadian rhythms are biological processes generated and regulated by an internal biological clock located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), a group of cells contained within the hypothalamus region of the brain. These biological processes repeat at approximately 24-hour intervals and the human biological clock endogenously drives and coordinates the rhythmicity in these processes.
at the Open Lighting Product Directory (OLPD)
