Polymer photonic crystal fibers

• US 20060194046A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Ouderkirk, Andrew J., Leatherdale, Catherine A., Fleming, Patrick R., Brott, Robert L., Benson, Olester Jr., Neavin, Terence D., North, Diane
• Granted Patent: US 7,386,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/364
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3008 comprising dielectric particles, e.g. birefringent crystals embedded in a matrix
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/305 including organic materials, e.g. polymeric layers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3083 Birefringent or phase retarding elements G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1225 comprising photonic band-gap structures or photonic lattices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2913 Rod, strand, filament or fiber

Abstract

A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.

Claims

1. A photonic crystal fiber device, comprising:

a composite polymer fiber comprising polymer scattering fibers disposed within a polymer filler, the polymer scattering fibers having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the polymer filler, the scattering fibers arranged in cross-section across the polymer fiber in a photonic crystal arrangement selected to provide desired spectral effects for light incident laterally on the composite polymer fiber.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the polymer filler and the scattering fibers comprises a birefringent polymer material.

3. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the total cross-sectional areas of the scattering fibers comprise an area of about 20%-95% of the cross-sectional area of the composite fiber.

4. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the total cross-sectional areas of the scattering fibers comprise an area of about 40%-90% of the cross-sectional area of the composite fiber.

5. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the total cross-sectional areas of the scattering fibers comprise an area of about 50%-90% of the cross-sectional area of the composite fiber.

6. A photonic crystal fiber device, comprising:

a polymer matrix; and

composite polymer fibers disposed in the polymer matrix, the composite polymer fibers comprising polymer scattering fibers disposed within a polymer filler, the polymer scattering fibers having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the polymer filler, the scattering fibers in at least one composite fiber being arranged in cross-section across the at least one composite fiber in a photonic crystal arrangement selected to provide desired spectral effects for light incident laterally on the at least one composite fiber.

7. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the polymer filler and the scattering fibers comprises a birefringent polymer material.

8. A device as recited in claim 6, further comprising a light source arranged to illuminate the at least one composite fiber laterally.

9. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a structured surface.

10. A device as recited in claim 9, wherein the structured surface provides optical power to light passing through the structured surface.

11. A device as recited in claim 9, wherein the structured surface comprises a brightness enhancing surface structure.

12. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein at least some of the scattering fibers have a cross-sectional dimension within the range of about 50 nm-about 500 nm.