Flexible optical device

• US 20070133935A1
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oree Advanced Illumination Solutions Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Oree, Advanced Illumination Solutions Inc.
• Inventors: Fine, Eran
• Granted Patent: US 7,639,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/131
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 5/00 Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0041 provided in the bulk of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/006 to produce indicia, symbols, texts or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/011 in optical waveguides, not otherwise provided for in this subclass

Abstract

A flexible and optionally highly elastic waveguide capable of propagating and emitting light is disclosed. The flexible waveguide comprises a flexible material having a surface and an end, wherein a first portion of the light is emitted through at least a portion of the surface of the flexible waveguide, and a second portion of the light is emitted through the end. The flexible waveguide can be used, for example as an area illuminator for many applications. Additionally disclosed is a clothing device for providing illumination. The clothing device comprises clothing (or even optionally a sheet) and a light source for providing light. In one embodiment the clothing device comprises the flexible waveguide.

Claims

1. A flexible waveguide capable of propagating and emitting light, comprising a flexible material having a surface and an end, wherein a first portion of the light is emitted through at least a portion of said surface of the flexible waveguide, and a second portion of the light is emitted through said end.

2. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein said flexible material is elastic.

3. The waveguide of claim 2, wherein said flexible material is characterized by an elasticity of at least 100%.

4. The waveguide of claim 2, wherein said flexible material is characterized by tensile set value of less than about 5%.

5. The waveguide of claim 3, wherein said flexible material is transparent.

7. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein said flexible material comprises a polymeric material.

8. The waveguide of claim 7, wherein said polymeric material comprises a rubbery material.

12. The waveguide of claim 7, wherein said flexible material has a predetermined level of cross-linking.

13. The waveguide of claim 12, wherein said cross-linking is physical cross-linking.

14. The waveguide of claim 12, wherein said cross-linking is chemical cross-linking.

15. The waveguide of claim 12, wherein said cross-linking is a combination of physical cross-linking and chemical cross-linking.

19. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein said flexible material comprises a dielectric material, and further wherein a reflection coefficient of said dielectric material is selected so as to allow propagation of polarized light through the waveguide, and emission of said polarized light through said surface of the waveguide.

21. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein said flexible material is a multilayered material.

22. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein said flexible material comprises a first layer having a first refractive index, and a second layer being in contact with said first layer and having a second refractive index being larger that said first refractive index.

23. The waveguide of claim 22, wherein at least one of:

a thickness of said first layer, a thickness of said second layer, said first refractive index and said second refractive index, is selected so that the light propagates at a predetermined propagation angle.

24. The waveguide of claim 22, wherein said propagation angle is from about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees.

25. The waveguide of claim 22, wherein said second layer comprises polyisoprene.

27. The waveguide of claim 22, wherein said flexible material further comprises a third layer for being in contact with said second layer and having a third refractive index being smaller than said second refractive index.

30. The waveguide of claim 22, wherein said at least a portion of said surface comprises a predetermined pattern.

6. (canceled)

9-11. -11. (canceled)

16-18. -18. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

28-29. -29. (canceled)

31-35. -35. (canceled)

38-43. -43. (canceled)

49-50. -50. (canceled)

52-61. -61. (canceled)

62. A flexible waveguide capable of propagating and emitting light, comprising a flexible material having a surface and an end, the flexible waveguide comprising at least one impurity capable of scattering a first portion of the light so that said first portion of the light is emitted through at least a portion of said surface of the flexible waveguide, while a second portion of the light is emitted through said end.

63. A flexible optical device, comprising:

(a) an optical coupler; and

(b) a flexible material having a surface and an end, said flexible material being characterized by a numerical aperture;

wherein said optical coupler is capable of focusing light to impinge on said flexible material at an impinging angle satisfying said numerical aperture, and said flexible material is characterized in that a first portion of said light is emitted through at least a portion of said surface, and a second portion of said light is emitted through said end.

64. A method of providing illumination, the method comprising:

providing a flexible material having a surface and an end;

propagating light through said flexible material;

emitting a first portion of said light through at least a portion of said surface; and

emitting a second portion of said light through said end.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said emission of said first portion of the light is by at least one impurity, present in said flexible material and being capable of emitting said first portion of the light through said at least a portion of said surface.

66-89. -89. (canceled)