If you look closely at an LED you will see a clear silicone dome oner the top. This provides a bit of focus directing the light forward and some mechanical protection for the wires and the chip surface. It is not very efficient at directing the light and when removed allows the light to go sideways where it gets captured by the much more efficient reflector of the torch. The net result of removing the dome is usually a 110% increase in intensity of the hot spot of the torch.
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