Optical Fiber Illumination Systems and Methods
First Claim
1. An illumination system, comprising:
- a light source that generates light having at least one wavelength between 200 nm and 2000 nm; and
at least one light diffusing optical fiber having a core, primary cladding, and a plurality of nano-sized structures situated within said core or at a core-cladding boundary, said optical fiber further including an outer surface, and an end optically coupled to the light source,wherein the fiber is configured to scatter guided light via said nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, to form a light-source fiber portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length, said fiber having a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB/km for said wavelength.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An illumination system generating light having at least one wavelength within 200 nm a plurality of nano-sized structures (e.g., voids). The optical fiber coupled to the light source. The light diffusing optical fiber has a core and a cladding. The plurality of nano-sized structures is situated either within said core or at a core-cladding boundary. The optical fiber also includes an outer surface. The optical fiber is configured to scatter guided light via the nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, to form a light-source fiber portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length, said fiber having a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB/km for the wavelength(s) within 200 nm to 2000 nm range.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An illumination system, comprising:
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a light source that generates light having at least one wavelength between 200 nm and 2000 nm; and at least one light diffusing optical fiber having a core, primary cladding, and a plurality of nano-sized structures situated within said core or at a core-cladding boundary, said optical fiber further including an outer surface, and an end optically coupled to the light source, wherein the fiber is configured to scatter guided light via said nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, to form a light-source fiber portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length, said fiber having a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB/km for said wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of making a light diffusing fiber with relatively uniform illumination along the fiber length wherein the minimum scattering illumination intensity is not less than 0.7 the maximum scattering illumination intensity and a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB/km at illumination wavelength, said method including the step of controlling fiber tension during draw process.
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24. A light diffusing optical fiber comprising:
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a core, a cladding, and a plurality of nano-sized structures situated within said core or at a core-cladding boundary, said optical fiber further including an outer surface and is configured to (i) scatter guided light via said nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, (ii) have a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB/km at illumination wavelength; and said fiber including at least one coating such that either said cladding or said at least one coating includes phosphor or pigments.
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25. A light diffusing optical fiber comprising:
a core, a cladding, and a plurality of nano-sized structures situated within said core or at a core-cladding boundary, said optical fiber further including an outer surface and is configured to (i) scatter guided light via said nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, (ii) have a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB/km at illumination wavelength; and
wherein the entire core includes nano-sized structures.- View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A light diffusing optical fiber comprising:
a core, and a plurality of nano-sized structures situated within said core such that the entire core includes nano-structures, said optical fiber further including an outer surface and is configured to (i) scatter guided light via said nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, (ii) have a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB/km at illumination wavelength wherein said fiber does not include cladding. - View Dependent Claims (28)
Specification