Abstract:
An illuminable transmission cable includes an electrical conductor, a light-diffusing fiber having a glass core and a cladding, at least one of the glass core and a core-cladding interface having a plurality of scattering structures. The light-diffusing fiber is configured to optically couple with a light source which emits light into the light-diffusing fiber. The scattering structures are configured to scatter the emitted light and output the emitted light along at least a portion of a sidewall of the light-diffusing fiber. A light transmissive jacket surrounds the electrical conductor and the light-diffusing fiber.
Abstract:
A method of forming a metallized mirror coating on a light diffusing optical fiber (110) includes contacting an end face (118) of a second end (114) of a light diffusing optical fiber (110) with a metallized mirror precursor. The light diffusing optical fiber (110) includes a first end (112) opposite the second end (114), a core (120), a polymer cladding (122) surrounding the core (120) and coplanar with the core at the end face (118) of the second end (114), an outer surface (128), and a plurality of scattering structures (125) positioned within the core (120), the polymer cladding (122), or both, that are configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface (128) of the light diffusing optical fiber (110). The method also includes heating the metallized mirror precursor such that the metallized mirror precursor bonds to the core (120) and the polymer cladding (122) at the end face (118) of the second end (114) thereby forming a metallized mirror coating on the end face (118) of the second end (114).
Abstract:
Optical connectors for connecting optical fiber to a light source are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector includes a housing with a first end having an open aperture and a second end having a blind aperture. A chamber is disposed in the housing such that the optical axis of the housing passes through the chamber. The chamber includes a first material. A light collecting region formed from a second material is disposed in the housing between the second end of the housing and the chamber. A blind aperture is positioned in the light collecting region such that a termination of the blind aperture is spaced apart from the chamber by at least a portion of the second material. A refracting surface is disposed in the housing between the open aperture and the light collecting region such that the optical axis of the housing passes through the refracting surface.
Abstract:
An illuminable transmission cable includes an electrical conductor, a light-diffusing fiber having a glass core and a cladding, at least one of the glass core and a core-cladding interface having a plurality of scattering structures. The light-diffusing fiber is configured to optically couple with a light source which emits light into the light-diffusing fiber. The scattering structures are configured to scatter the emitted light and output the emitted light along at least a portion of a sidewall of the light-diffusing fiber. A light transmissive jacket surrounds the electrical conductor and the light-diffusing fiber.
Abstract:
Fiber lighting systems and methods of switching light are disclosed. A system includes a light source and a switching device having an input that receives light from the light source, at least one output, and a microelectromechanical mirror disposed in an optical pathway between the input and the output. The mirror is repositionable to direct light from the input into the output. The system also includes a light diffusing fiber coupled to the output that emits light along its length and an electronic control unit that directs the light source to pulse the light at a frequency of 10 Hz-500 kHz and orient the mirror for directing the light to an output. The repositioning is synchronized with the pulsing such that the mirror is at a coupled orientation during a pulse and is repositioned between pulses.
Abstract:
Optical connectors for connecting optical fiber to a light source are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector includes a housing with a first end having an open aperture and a second end having a blind aperture. A chamber is disposed in the housing such that the optical axis of the housing passes through the chamber. The chamber includes a first material. A light collecting region formed from a second material is disposed in the housing between the second end of the housing and the chamber. A blind aperture is positioned in the light collecting region such that a termination of the blind aperture is spaced apart from the chamber by at least a portion of the second material. A refracting surface is disposed in the housing between the open aperture and the light collecting region such that the optical axis of the housing passes through the refracting surface.
Abstract:
A luminary fabric, useful for a variety of applications including signage, has at least one light-diffusing optical fiber woven, knitted, crocheted or otherwise integrated into the fabric. The light-diffusing optical fiber is coupled to at least one light source such as a laser or a light emitting diode. At least one coating is applied over at least a section of the outer surface of the optical fiber along its length. The coating contains at least one luminophore that absorbs energy from the light source and luminesces at a different higher wavelength. Multiple coatings containing one or more luminophores, one or more pigments, and/or one or more dyes may be employed to provide a variety of interesting visual effects.
Abstract:
A method of forming a metallized minor coating on a light diffusing optical fiber (110) includes contacting an end face (118) of a second end (114) of a light diffusing optical fiber (110) with a metallized mirror precursor. The light diffusing optical fiber (110) includes a first end (112) opposite the second end (114), a core (120), a polymer cladding (122) surrounding the core (120) and coplanar with the core at the end face (118) of the second end (114), an outer surface (128), and a plurality of scattering structures (125) positioned within the core (120), the polymer cladding (122), or both, that are configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface (128) of the light diffusing optical fiber (110). The method also includes heating the metallized minor precursor such that the metallized mirror precursor bonds to the core (120) and the polymer cladding (122) at the end face (118) of the second end (114) thereby forming a metallized minor coating on the end face (118) of the second end (114).
Abstract:
Fiber lighting systems and methods of switching light are disclosed. A system includes a light source and a switching device having an input that receives light from the light source, at least one output, and a microelectromechanical mirror disposed in an optical pathway between the input and the output. The mirror is repositionable to direct light from the input into the output. The system also includes a light diffusing fiber coupled to the output that emits light along its length and an electronic control unit that directs the light source to pulse the light at a frequency of 10 Hz-500 kHz and orient the mirror for directing the light to an output. The repositioning is synchronized with the pulsing such that the mirror is at a coupled orientation during a pulse and is repositioned between pulses.