Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A lightguiding device, which can be an integral part of a lightguiding system, can increase the light intensity exiting from a lightguide by concentrating the transmitted light into a small portion of the lightguide's cross section. The device consists of a section of a lightguiding material which has been bent at an angle greater than 45 degrees relative to the axis of light transmission, preferably at an angle of 90 degrees with a small bend radius. In the bent section, a homogeneous refractive index is required at least for the lightguide's core. The lightguide must be terminated immediately beyond the bent section. Alternatively, a preformed bent section of appropriate lightguiding material can be attached to an end of a straight section of lightguide to increase the exiting light intensity. All types of lightguiding systems can be used to enhance output intensities, including glass or pure silica lightguides, hollow waveguides, liquid core lightguides and plastic lightguides. It is possible to provide exiting light of increased intensity across the full electromagnetic spectrum from UV to IR through selection of appropriate lightguiding materials.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim