## Common ground
All options refer to devices that shape or direct beams of radiation (light, laser, X-rays, gamma rays, neutrons) by restricting their divergence.
## Options at a glance
**7014.00 – Glass collimator lens**
- **Defining trait:** Made of glass, used primarily for optical beam shaping without electronic components.
- **Typical examples:** Lens-based collimators in cameras or telescopes.
- **Best fit when:** Used purely as a passive optical element in visible light systems.
**8543.70 – LED collimators with circuit**
- **Defining trait:** Integrated multiple LEDs on a printed circuit board, designed as UV/IR light sources.
- **Typical examples:** UV curing lamps, IR remote control emitters.
- **Best fit when:** The device functions as an active light source with built-in LEDs.
**9001.90 – Unmounted fiber collimators**
- **Defining trait:** Optical collimators for fiber optics, not yet mounted; used in signal transmission.
- **Typical examples:** Single fiber collimators for telecom or lab setups.
- **Best fit when:** Used as standalone components in fiber optic systems before installation.
**9002.90 – Mounted fiber collimators**
- **Defining trait:** Fiber collimators permanently mounted or integrated into instruments.
- **Typical examples:** OCT (optical coherence tomography) devices, optical sensors.
- **Best fit when:** Part of a larger instrument or fixed in place for operation.
**9013.20 – Laser diode collimator**
- **Defining trait:** Specifically designed to shape laser diode output beams.
- **Typical examples:** Laser pointers, laser alignment tools.
- **Best fit when:** Used with laser diodes to produce a parallel beam.
**9018.14 – Scintigraphy collimator (medical)**
- **Defining trait:** Used in gamma cameras for medical imaging; filters and directs gamma rays.
- **Typical examples:** Gamma camera collimators in nuclear medicine.
- **Best fit when:** For diagnostic imaging of radioactive tracers in the body.
**9022.90 – X-ray machine parts**
- **Defining trait:** Collimators designed specifically for X-ray machines to limit beam spread.
- **Typical examples:** Adjustable lead collimators in radiography equipment.
- **Best fit when:** Used in medical or industrial X-ray imaging systems.
**9030.90 – Neutron spectrometer collimator**
- **Defining trait:** Designed for neutron beam direction and filtering in scientific instruments.
- **Typical examples:** Collimators in neutron diffraction or spectroscopy setups.
- **Best fit when:** Part of a neutron-based measurement system.
## Key differences
| Option | Primary Radiation Type | Integration Level | Main Use Case |
|--------|------------------------|-------------------|---------------|
| 7014.00 | Visible light | Passive | Optical systems |
| 8543.70 | UV/IR light | Integrated LED source | Light emission |
| 9001.90 | Fiber-optic light | Unmounted | Telecom/lab use |
| 9002.90 | Fiber-optic light | Mounted in instrument | Medical/industrial devices |
| 9013.20 | Laser diode beam | Dedicated to lasers | Alignment, pointers |
| 9018.14 | Gamma rays | Medical imaging | Nuclear medicine |
| 9022.90 | X-rays | X-ray machine parts | Radiography |
| 9030.90 | Neutrons | Scientific instruments | Research |
## How to choose
- Is it used for visible light and made of glass? → 7014.00
- Does it contain LEDs and emit UV/IR light? → 8543.70
- Is it a fiber optic component not yet mounted? → 9001.90
- Is it part of or fixed in an instrument? → 9002.90
- Is it designed for laser diodes? → 9013.20
- Is it used in medical gamma imaging? → 9018.14
- Is it for X-ray machines? → 9022.90
- Is it for neutron spectrometry? → 9030.90
## Overlaps & pitfalls
A fiber collimator may fit both 9001.90 and 9002.90 depending on mounting; use the **integration level** to decide. A laser diode collimator might resemble a general optical element, but its function defines it as 9013.20. If unsure, prioritize the **main function**: emission source, beam shaping, or integration into a system. No option is inherently more important—choose based on primary purpose