Beyond tunable white, the next frontier is fully programmable spectral power distribution (SPD). Using multi-channel LED engines with five or more primaries (e.g., red, lime, green, cyan, blue, white), these systems can generate an almost infinite range of light spectra. This allows for the ultra-precise tuning of color rendering metrics like CRI, R9 (saturated red), and TM-30 (Rf, Rg). Applications include museum lighting, where the exact spectrum can be tuned to perfectly render specific pigments without causing damage; retail lighting to make produce, meat, or fabrics look their absolute best; and industrial quality inspection, where defects are revealed under specific spectral conditions. This technology gives lighting designers and engineers unprecedented control over the qualitative properties of light.
