Waveguide for receiving and/or radiating electromagnetic radiation

• US 20030190120A1
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH (Richard & Annemarie Wolf- Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH (Richard & Annemarie Wolf- Stiftung)
• Inventors: Huttmann, Gereon, Ziegenhagen, Lars
• Granted Patent: US 6,970,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/31
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/262 Optical details of coupling light into, or out of, or between fibre ends, e.g. special fibre end shapes or associated optical elements

Abstract

In the region of a distal end at its circumference the waveguide is formed transparent to the radiation which impinges onto the surface of the waveguide at suitable angles, and in the region of the distal end in the inside of the waveguide there are arranged scatter elements which scatter radiation transmitted by the waveguide in the direction of the distal end in a direction with a proximally directed component which exits the circumference of the waveguide. Alternatively, radiation entering into the waveguide at the circumference of the waveguide in a direction with a distally directed component is transmitted by the waveguide in the direction of the proximal end, as well as to its use and to a method for its manufacture.

Claims

1. A waveguide for at least one of radiating and receiving electromagnetic radiation, said waveguide comprising

a central axis,

a circumferential surface which is concentric to said axis and is transparent to radiation which impinges said surface at suitable angles,

a distal end defining a proximal direction extending axially away from said distal end,

scatter elements arranged in said waveguide proximate to said distal end so that at least one of the following transpires:

radiation transmitted by the waveguide toward the distal end is scattered at least in part in a direction with a proximal component and exits the circumferential surface, and

radiation entering the circumferential surface of the waveguide in a direction with a distal component is transmitted by the waveguide at least in part in the proximal direction.

2. A waveguide as in claim 1 wherein said distal end of said waveguide comprises a concave surface into which a scatter body is fitted, said scatter elements being formed at least one of on and in said scatter body.

3. A waveguide as in claim 2 wherein said scatter body comprises a material which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation, at least part of said scatter elements being arranged inside said scatter body.

4. A waveguide as in claim 2 wherein said scatter body is formed of a material which is transparent to radiation to be transmitted, at least part of said scatter elements being arranged on the surface of said scatter body.

5. A waveguide as in claim 4 wherein at least part of said scatter elements are arranged between the scatter body and the concave surface.

6. A waveguide as in claim 4 wherein at least part of said scatter elements are distributed over the whole surface of the scatter body.

7. A waveguide as in claim 6 wherein said scatter body comprises a proximal surface and a distal surface, more of said scatter elements being arranged on said distal surface than on said proximal surface.

8. A waveguide as in claim 6 wherein said scatter body comprises a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a circumferential surface therebetween, more of said scatter elements being arranged with a greater density on said circumferential surface than on said proximal surface and said distal surface.

9. A waveguide as in claim 2 wherein said concave surface is hemispherical and said scatter body is spherical.

10. A waveguide as in claim 1 wherein said scatter elements are distributed so that at least fifty percent of the radiation transmitted by the waveguide is scattered in a direction with a proximal component.

11. A waveguide as in claim 1 which is designed as a guide for visible radiation.

12. A waveguide as in claim 11 wherein said waveguide is formed of one of glass and quartz.

13. A waveguide as in claim 11 wherein said scatter elements comprise gas-filled glass beads.

14. A waveguide as in claim 1 further comprising a reflecting layer on said distal end.

15. A waveguide as in claim 1 wherein said scatter elements comprise regions of changed refractive index proximate to said distal end.

16. A waveguide as in claim 15 wherein said regions of changed refractive index have dimensions and spacing which are larger than the wavelength of light to be transmitted.

17. A method for manufacturing a waveguide, said method comprising:

providing an optically transparent rod having a distal end formed with a concave surface;

providing a scatter body having a convex surface section with a shape corresponding to the concave surface;

depositing an adhesive onto at least one of said concave surface and said convex surface;

incorporating scatter elements in said adhesive; and

fitting said convex surface section against said concave surface section.

18. A method as in claim 17 wherein said scatter elements comprise gas-filled beads.

19. A method as in claim 17 wherein said adhesive is applied to the entire surface of said scatter body, said scatter elements being incorporated in said adhesive on said entire surface of said scatter body.