Lighting module for indoor farming

A lighting module for illuminating cultivated crops in indoor farming comprising

• at least one efficiency enhancing optical element (EEOE) further comprising:
• a. an optically transparent middle body portion having at least one light source embedded therewithin and configured to emit spectrally controllable radiation;
• b. a front portion comprising a spectrum conversion layer;
• said spectrum conversion layer absorbing at least part of said spectrally controllable radiation and emitting a spectrally converted radiation;
• c. a back portion configured to reflect said spectrally converted radiation emitted by said spectrum conversion layer to said cultivated crops,
• wherein the back portion has a central area being adjacent to said optically transparent middle body portion configured for reflecting radiation propagating
• within said optically transparent middle body portion and a peripheral area configured for reflecting radiation emerged from said optically transparent middle body portion via a transparent side surface of said optically transparent middle body portion;
• said side surface is configured for:
• a. reflecting said radiation emitted by said at least one light source toward said front portion by total internal reflection (TIR);
• b. refracting at least a part of said spectrally converted radiation emitted backward by said spectrum conversion layer and redirecting said at least part of spectrally converted radiation outside said optically transparent middle body portion toward said peripheral area of said back portion;
• and
• c. reflecting at least a part of said spectrally converted radiation emitted backward by said spectrum conversion layer and redirecting said at least part of spectrally converted radiation into said optically transparent middle body portion toward said central area of said back portion.

A method of manufacturing lighting module for illuminating cultivated crops in indoor farming comprising a monolithic efficiency enhancing optical element (EEOE);

• said method comprising steps of:
• a. providing a base plate, a thermal pad and a printed circuit board carrying at least one light source;
• said printed circuit board secured to said base plate with said thermal pad therebetween;
• b. covering said at least one light source with a removable protecting layer.
• c. pouring a composite of transparent silicone and a reflective material onto said printed circuit board and said base plate;
• d. creating said back reflective portion of said EEOE configured to redirect radiation to said cultivated crops by curing said composite of transparent silicone and reflective material;
• e. removing said removable protecting layer from said at least one light source;
• f. providing a mold conformal to said optically transparent middle body of said EEOE;
• g. mounting said mold on said back portion;
• h. pouring a transparent silicone material into said mold;
• i. creating said transparent middle body portion of said EEOE by curing said silicone material;
• j. pouring a composite of transparent silicone and a photoluminescent material onto said cured transparent middle body;
• and
• k. creating said front portion of said EEOE by curing said composite of transparent silicone and a photoluminescent material.