Light diffusing fibers and methods for making the same
US8620125B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/03644
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Light diffusing optical fibers and methods for producing light diffusing optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light diffusing optical fiber includes a core portion formed from silica glass and comprising a plurality of helical void randomly distributed in the core portion of the optical fiber and wrapped around the long axis of the optical fiber. A pitch of the helical voids may vary along the axial length of the light diffusing optical fiber in order to achieve the desired illumination along the length of the optical fiber. A cladding may surround the core portion. Light guided by the core portion is scattered by the helical voids radially outward, through the cladding, such that the light diffusing optical fiber emits light with a predetermined intensity over an axial length of the light diffusing optical fiber, the light diffusing optical fiber having a scattering induced attenuation loss greater than about 0.2 dB/m at a wavelength of 550 nm.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.