Chiral Fiber Apparatus and Method for Controllable Light Extraction from Optical Waveguides

Abstract

The system and method of the present invention advantageously enable controllable light extraction from optical fiber waveguides and offer highly configurable light signal guidance and control capabilities, as well as additional advantageous features associated with waveguides, by providing, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, a multitude of novel techniques by which the parameters relating to utilization of various light signals (such as direction of their emission, magnitude of the emission, physical surface area of the emission, etc.), can be readily controlled and configured as a matter of design choice. Additionally, the inventive system and method, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, also enable and facilitate selective configuration of, and / or control over, various characteristics of the light signals guided / controlled / extracted thereby, such as the signals' wavelength, polarization, intensity, amplitude, etc. To achieve the above-noted beneficial functions, the system and method of the present invention utilize a physical property of a standard, or a specialty, chiral optical fiber to scatter light signals entering the fiber in directions away from the fiber core (through the fiber cladding), to thereby advantageously enable selective and controllable extraction of light signals of a desired predetermined wavelength (or, optionally of a predetermined range of wavelengths) therefrom.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present patent application claims priority from the commonly assigned co-pending U.S. provisional patent application 61 / 349,256 entitled “Chiral Fiber Apparatus and Method for Controllable Light Extraction from Optical Waveguides”, filed May 28, 2010.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]There is an ever-growing need in modern and cutting edge communication, display, lighting, and other applications, for various techniques and approaches for guiding, controlling, and emission of light signals. However, while solutions for simple emission of predetermined light signals from appropriately configured devices (such as LEDs, etc.), and for basic transport of light signals via conventional waveguides are in common use, the previously known solutions have very significant limitations both in the degree of control that can be exercised over the guidance and emission of light signals as well as in the level of control / configurability of the charact...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The system and method of the present invention advantageously overcome and address the drawbacks of previously known light signal guidance and control solutions in various applications, and provide additional new benefits and novel features, enabling new applications and uses for systems and components with highly configurable light signal guidance, control, and extraction capabilities, and additional advantageous features related to waveguides.

[0009]The inventive system and method, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, also provide a multitude of novel techniques by which the parameters relating to utilization of various light signals (such as direction of their emission, magnitude of the emission, physical surface area of the emission, etc.), can be readily controlled and configured as a matter of design choice, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, the inventive system and method, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, also enable and facilitate selective configuration of, and / or control over, various characteristics of the light signals guided / controlled / extracted thereby, such as the signals' wavelength, polarization, intensity, amplitude, etc.

Problems solved by technology

However, while solutions for simple emission of predetermined light signals from appropriately configured devices (such as LEDs, etc.), and for basic transport of light signals via conventional waveguides are in common use, the previously known solutions have very significant limitations both in the degree of control that can be exercised over the guidance and emission of light signals as well as in the level of control / configurability of the characteristics / properties of the light signals themselves.

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