[Research] Natural full-Spectrum SunLike: Does Brighter Mean Better Light?
2025.07.03
[Research]
Natural full-Spectrum SunLike:
Does Brighter Mean Better Light?
For a long time, we have considered brightness the most important factor
in lighting.
However, as lighting technology undergoes a paradigm shift, it is now time
to ask a new question:
“Is brighter always better?”
To answer this question, the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) at
the University of California, Davis conducted a lighting experiment.
This study (conducted in May 2025) focused on analyzing how full-spectrum
LED lighting affects human visual satisfaction and performance. The LED
lighting used in the experiment incorporated Seoul Semiconductor’s natural full-spectrum
LED technology, SunLike.
🧪
Purpose of the Study: Focusing on the Quality of Light
ㆍTraditional
lighting has been primarily designed with an emphasis on luminous efficacy,
often overlooking factors such as color fidelity
and visual
comfort.
ㆍIn
contrast, full-spectrum
LEDs emulate the spectrum of natural light, offering
more accurate color rendering, enhanced psychological stability, and greater
visual satisfaction.
ㆍThis
study aimed to explore whether a better visual experience
could still be achieved even with reduced brightness, thereby investigating the potential to simultaneously
improve energy efficiency
and user satisfaction.
🔬 Study Overview
- Participants: 50 individuals in total (25 male and
25 female), aged 18 and above, representing a range of age groups
- Lighting Compared:
- Natural full-spectrum LED ‘SunLike’ (TM-30-20
Rf 97)
- Conventional LED (TM-30-20 Rf 84)
- Test Environment: Indoor lighting setup simulating a
realistic bathroom vanity
- Evaluation Metrics:
• Preferred illuminance (brightness preference)
• Color differentiation
accuracy
• Visual satisfaction (survey-based assessment)
Participants reported experiencing sufficient visual satisfaction under the full-spectrum LED, even at lower brightness levels, and noted a significant improvement in their ability to distinguish colors.
Figure 1. Experimental
Test Environment.
🔍 Key Findings from the Experiment
1. Brightness Preference
- Conventional LED: Average 2,833 lumens
- Full-Spectrum LED: Average 2,323 lumens
(approximately 18% lower)
→ Demonstrates that visual performance and satisfaction can be maintained
even with reduced brightness, supporting the potential for energy savings.
2. Color Differentiation
Accuracy
- Participants showed higher accuracy in color
identification under full-spectrum LED lighting.
- The proportion of responses rated as “Superior” more
than doubled compared to conventional lighting.
3. User Satisfaction Survey
- Participants evaluated the full-spectrum lighting as
“natural and well-suited for precise visual tasks.”
Female
participants showed a clear preference for full-spectrum lighting, while male
participants tended to favor the brighter conventional LED.
However, in
contexts where color recognition is critical, both men and women preferred the
full-spectrum LED.
“When the quality of light improves, users can feel fully satisfied even
at lower brightness levels.”
This message suggests that enhanced light quality not only improves visual
performance and satisfaction, but also leads to tangible energy savings.
Figure 2. Significant Difference in Participants’ Alignment
Preferences between Full-Spectrum and Conventional LEDs
SunLike:
A New Standard in Lighting
The full-spectrum LED used in this experiment is powered by SunLike, Seoul
Semiconductor’s advanced high color fidelity technology.
According to the international TM-30 standard, SunLike achieves a Color
Fidelity (Rf) score of 97, making it one of the closest LED light sources to
natural sunlight.
💎 According to UL standards, an Rf
score of 95 or higher qualifies as “Diamond Grade.”
→ SunLike exceeds this benchmark with an impressive Rf score of 97.
Key Application Areas
SunLike natural full-spectrum LEDs deliver outstanding performance in the following
environments:
- Spaces where accurate color
perception is critical:
Makeup rooms, bathrooms, fashion and design studios
- Workplaces requiring high-precision
visual tasks:
Medical facilities, art studios, video editing suites - Areas where energy savings are essential:
Schools, offices, residential spaces, and more
The Future of Lighting Lies
in Natural Light
Today, it's no longer
just about "brighter lights" —
we must move toward natural light-based
lighting designed for people.
Through its SunLike technology, Seoul
Semiconductor aims to redefine the essence and value of light with a new
standard:
“Better visibility without excessive brightness, and a more natural glow
without glare.”
Seoul Semiconductor will continue to illuminate
the world in a way that makes it healthier, cleaner, and more beautiful —
through the power of light.
🔗 Learn More