Fluorescent optical fiber, visible light communication system and preparation method of fluorescent optical fiber

Abstract

The invention provides a fluorescent optical fiber, a visible light communication system and a preparation method of the fluorescent optical fiber, and relates to the technical field of visible light communication. The light-transmitting tube body is provided with an accommodating cavity, at least one extension end of the light-transmitting tube body is provided with an opening, and the outer ring surface of the light-transmitting tube body is used for receiving visible light signals; the containing cavity is filled with the fluorescent waveguide, an output face is arranged at the opening, the fluorescent waveguide is used for absorbing visible light penetrating through the light-transmitting tube body and then converting the visible light into a fluorescent signal, and the inner ring face of the light-transmitting tube body is used for reflecting part of the fluorescent signal converted by the fluorescent waveguide, so that the fluorescent signal generated in the fluorescent waveguide is transmitted to the output face in a more directional mode. According to the fluorescent optical fiber provided by the invention, more fluorescent signals can be directionally guided to one side of an output surface, the gain effect on a photoelectric detector is better, and the signal receiving visual field and the signal-to-noise ratio of a visible light communication system are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of visible light communication, and more specifically, to a fluorescent optical fiber, a visible light communication system, and a method for preparing the fluorescent optical fiber. Background Art

[0002] Fluorescent optical fiber is a receiving auxiliary device in the visible light communication system. It converts the shorter wavelengths in the received visible light signal into a slightly longer wavelength fluorescent signal with a stronger detector response, and guides it to the receiving end detector in a certain direction. This receiving auxiliary method helps to break through the light expansion limit of the receiving system. It has a higher product of field of view and receiving area, which can promote the visible light communication system to develop towards higher speed and larger capacity.

[0003] At present, the sheet-like fluorescent waveguide is composed of two layers of glass plates and fluorescent materials filled between the two layers of glass plates. In the visible light communication system, the visible light signal emitted by the signal light emitting device is absorbed by the fluorescent material in the fluorescent waveguide and converted into a fluorescent signal, which will be transmitted in all directions along the sheet-like fluorescent waveguide. The photodetector is connected to one end of the fluorescent waveguide. Only a small part of the fluorescent signal can be finally transmitted to the photodetector, and more fluorescent signals will overflow from other edge positions of the fluorescent waveguide, resulting in limited improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio and low communication quality. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a fluorescent optical fiber, a visible light communication system and a method for preparing the fluorescent optical fiber, so as to solve the technical problems in the prior art that the ratio of the fluorescence generated by the sheet-like fluorescent waveguide to the detector receiving end waveguide is relatively low and the signal-to-noise ratio of the collected signal is poor.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, in a first aspect, the present application provides a fluorescent optical fiber, comprising a light-transmitting tube body and a fluorescent waveguide; the light-transmitting tube body has a containing cavity, and at least one extending end of the light-transmitting tube body has an opening, and the outer annular surface of the light-transmitting tube body is used to receive a visible light signal; the fluorescent waveguide is filled in the containing cavity and has an output surface at the opening, the fluorescent waveguide is used to absorb visible light passing through the light-transmitting tube body and convert it into a fluorescent signal, and the inner annular surface of the light-transmitting tube body is used to reflect part of the fluorescent signal converted by the fluorescent waveguide, so that the fluorescent signal generated in the fluorescent waveguide is directionally transmitted to the output surface.

[0006] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the output surface is a curved surface or a conical surface convex in a direction away from the accommodating cavity.

[0007] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the output surface is a hemispherical surface convex toward the direction away from the outer side of the accommodating cavity.

[0008] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the output surface is a polished plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the light-transmitting tube body.

[0009] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the fluorescent waveguide includes a mixed fluorescent material and a main matrix, the main matrix is ​​a curable material that can be cured from a liquid state to a solid state, and the main matrix is ​​transparent in the visible light band after being cured.

[0010] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the fluorescent material is an aggregation-induced emission material, and the concentration of the fluorescent material is 0.1 to 20 mg / ml.

[0011] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the main matrix is ​​a light-curing adhesive or a heat-curing adhesive.

[0012] In a second aspect, the present application provides a visible light communication system, including: a substrate, a signal light receiving component and a signal light emitting component, the signal light receiving component including a first fluorescent optical fiber, a first photodetector, a second fluorescent optical fiber and a second photodetector, the first fluorescent optical fiber and the second fluorescent optical fiber are both fluorescent optical fibers as described in any one of the first aspect and any optional embodiments thereof, and the absorption wavelength of visible light by the fluorescent waveguide in the first fluorescent optical fiber and the second fluorescent optical fiber is different, the first fluorescent optical fiber and the second fluorescent optical fiber are both arranged on the substrate, the first photodetector is connected to the output surface of the first fluorescent optical fiber, the second photodetector is connected to the output surface of the second fluorescent optical fiber, and the signal light emitting component is used to emit visible light signals to the outer annular surfaces of the first fluorescent optical fiber and the second fluorescent optical fiber.

[0013] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the number of the first fluorescent optical fibers is at least two, and at least two of the first fluorescent optical fibers are parallel to each other and arranged at intervals along a first direction; the number of the second fluorescent optical fibers is at least two, and at least two of the second fluorescent optical fibers are parallel to each other and arranged at intervals along a second direction; wherein the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other or perpendicular to each other.

[0014] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a method for preparing the fluorescent optical fiber as described in the first aspect and any optional embodiment thereof, comprising:

[0015] Dissolving fluorescent material into a liquid main matrix to form a liquid fluorescent waveguide;

[0016] Injecting the liquid fluorescent waveguide into the accommodating cavity of the light-transmitting tube;

[0017] The liquid fluorescent waveguide is solidified in the accommodating cavity to become the solid fluorescent waveguide.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the fluorescent optical fiber, visible light communication system and fluorescent optical fiber preparation method provided by the present application are: compared with the prior art, the fluorescent waveguide in the fluorescent optical fiber of the present application is coated in the accommodating cavity of the light-transmitting tube body. When the visible light signal passes through the light-transmitting tube body and the fluorescent waveguide, the fluorescent waveguide absorbs light of a specific wavelength in the visible light, converts it into a fluorescent signal and then emits it. Most of the emitted fluorescent signals will be continuously reflected by the inner annular surface of the light-transmitting tube body, and finally transmitted to the output surface along the fluorescent waveguide and emitted, thereby reducing the overflow of the fluorescent signal during transmission, allowing the photodetector to receive more fluorescent signals, improving the gain effect on the photodetector and the communication quality of the visible light communication system, and also having the advantages of simple structure and low production cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fluorescent optical fiber in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fluorescent optical fiber in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fluorescent optical fiber in another exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a visible light communication system in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a visible light communication system in another exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Among them, the reference numerals in the figure are:

[0026] 100 - light-transmitting tube body; 101 - outer annular surface; 102 - inner annular surface; 200 - fluorescent waveguide; 201 - output surface; 300 - substrate; 400 - signal light receiving component; 410 - first fluorescent optical fiber; 420 - first photodetector; 430 - second fluorescent optical fiber; 440 - second photodetector; 500 - signal light emitting component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0028] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0029] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0030] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a fluorescent optical fiber, including a light-transmitting tube body 100 and a fluorescent waveguide 200 .

[0032] The light-transmitting tube body 100 has a receiving cavity, and at least one extending end of the light-transmitting tube body 100 has an opening. In this embodiment, both extending ends of the light-transmitting tube body 100 have openings. The light-transmitting tube body 100 has an outer ring 101 and an inner ring surface 102, and the outer ring surface 101 of the light-transmitting tube body 100 is used to receive visible light signals.

[0033] The fluorescent waveguide 200 is filled in the accommodating cavity, and the fluorescent waveguide 200 has an output surface 201 at the opening of the light-transmitting tube body 100. In this embodiment, the fluorescent waveguide 200 has an output surface 201 located at the opening of the corresponding side of the light-transmitting tube body 100. In addition, the output surface 201 can also be set at both ends of the fluorescent waveguide 200. The fluorescent waveguide 200 is used to absorb the visible light passing through the light-transmitting tube body 100 and convert it into a fluorescent signal. The inner annular surface 1002 of the light-transmitting tube body 100 is used to reflect part of the fluorescent signal converted by the fluorescent waveguide 200, so that the fluorescent signal generated in the fluorescent waveguide 200 is output to the output surface 201 in a direction.

[0034] The light-transmitting tube body 100 can be made of glass material to have good light transmittance and structural strength. In addition, the light-transmitting tube body 100 can also be made of a light-transmitting hose so that the fluorescent optical fiber can be bent to a certain extent for use.

[0035] The cross-section of the light-transmitting tube body 100 is in the shape of a ring, and the outer and inner contours of the ring can be in any shape, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle or a polygon, and the outer and inner contours of the ring can be the same or different, and there is no specific limitation on this in this embodiment. Exemplarily, the outer and inner contours of the cross-section of the light-transmitting tube body 100 are both in the shape of a circle. The diameter of the transparent tube body 100 can be selected from 0.3 to 2 mm according to the connection end of the photodetector.

[0036] Combination Figure 2 As shown, in use, when the visible light signal is irradiated onto the outer annular surface 101 of the fluorescent optical fiber, a portion of the visible light signal is reflected at the junction of the outer annular surface 101 and the air, and the other portion penetrates the transparent tube body 100 and enters the fluorescent waveguide 200. The portion of the visible signal light at the absorption wavelength of the fluorescent waveguide 200 is absorbed by the fluorescent waveguide 200 and converted into a fluorescent signal with a certain fluorescence quantum efficiency and emitted, and the portion of the visible signal light longer than the absorption wavelength of the fluorescent waveguide 200 will then pass through the transparent tube body 100 and be transmitted from the fluorescent optical fiber.

[0037] Among the fluorescent signals converted in the fluorescent waveguide 200, a part will be reabsorbed by other fluorescent molecules in the fluorescent waveguide 200 or directly overflow through the transparent tube body 100 during the propagation process, and the other part will be continuously reflected by the inner annular surface 102 of the transparent tube body 100 and finally transmitted to the output surface 201. Therefore, compared with the sheet-shaped fluorescent layer in the prior art, since the fluorescent waveguide 200 is covered by the entire transparent tube body 100, most of the fluorescent light will be continuously reflected by the inner annular surface 102 of the transparent tube body 100, so that more fluorescent signals can be transmitted along the extension direction of the fluorescent waveguide 200, with better waveguide directivity, so as to reduce the overflow of the fluorescent signal, transmit more fluorescent signals to the photodetector, and improve the gain effect on the photodetector.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the cross section of the output surface 201 is a curved surface or a conical surface convex in the direction away from the accommodating cavity.

[0039] The cross-sectional area of ​​the curved or conical surface in the direction away from the accommodating cavity gradually decreases, so that the fluorescent signal can be focused when passing through the output surface 201, thereby improving the receiving effect of the photodetector. In this embodiment, the output surface 201 is a hemispherical surface convex toward the outside of the accommodating cavity.

[0040] In addition, a microstructure with a focusing effect, such as a Fresnel lens or a super lens, may be provided on the output surface 201 to achieve a focusing effect when outputting the fluorescent signal.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 In some embodiments, the output surface 201 is a polished plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the light-transmitting tube body 100 .

[0042] The end surface of the fluorescent waveguide 200 at the opening can be ground and polished to form a polished surface with less roughness, so that the fluorescent signal can better penetrate the polished surface, thereby improving the output effect of the fluorescent signal.

[0043] In addition, the output surface 201 may be provided with a microlens when connected to a photodetector, and the provision of the microlens may further enhance the focusing effect of the fluorescent signal, so that the fluorescent signal output from the output surface 201 is more concentrated, and the receiving sensitivity of the photodetector is improved. The microlens may be single or multiple arranged in an array to meet different application requirements.

[0044] In some embodiments, the fluorescent waveguide 200 includes a mixed fluorescent material and a main matrix, wherein the main matrix is ​​a curable material that can be cured from a liquid state to a solid state. The main matrix is ​​transparent in the visible light band after curing, that is, the main matrix absorbs less in the visible light band after curing, thereby avoiding interference with the fluorescent material's absorption of visible light.

[0045] Since the diameter of the transparent tube 100 is relatively small, it is difficult to place conventional solid fluorescent materials directly into the transparent tube 100 , and it is impossible to ensure that the solid fluorescent materials can completely fill the entire accommodating cavity.

[0046] Therefore, the main matrix adopts a curable material that can be cured from liquid to solid. The fluorescent material is first mixed into the liquid main matrix, and the liquid fluorescent waveguide is filled into the receiving cavity of the light-transmitting tube 100 by injection or capillary self-absorption, and then the liquid fluorescent waveguide is cured into a solid state by a corresponding curing method, thereby forming the fluorescent optical fiber in the embodiment of the present application. In this way, the problem that the fluorescent material is not easy to be placed in the transparent tube body 100 due to its small size is solved, and it can also ensure that the fluorescent waveguide 200 completely fills the entire receiving cavity, and it is not easy to produce gaps, thereby ensuring the conversion and transmission efficiency of the fluorescent signal.

[0047] In some embodiments, the fluorescent material is an aggregation-induced emission material (AIEgens), and the concentration of the fluorescent material is 0.1-20 mg / ml.

[0048] When the concentration of the aggregation-induced luminescence material in the main matrix is ​​high, the fluorescence efficiency can be higher or maintained at a high level, which is conducive to the fluorescent optical fiber using a higher concentration of the fluorescent material to achieve a greater fluorescence signal gain. In addition, the aggregation-induced luminescence material also has a relatively large Stokes shift, and its photoluminescence quantum yield can effectively absorb visible light and convert it into a fluorescence signal with a stronger photodetector response and a wavelength close to 600nm. Because the Stokes shift is large, only a small amount of fluorescence signal is self-absorbed in the process of guiding the photodetector, so that more fluorescence signals are emitted at the output surface 1201 of the transparent end cap 120 and coupled into the active area of ​​the photodetector to be converted by the photoelectric effect.

[0049] Furthermore, since aggregation-induced emission materials have the characteristic that the higher the concentration, the higher the fluorescence efficiency or the higher the level maintained, the fluorescent material can be selected in the range of 0.1 to 20 mg / ml according to parameters such as absorption and emission spectra, luminescence quantum yield, and fluorescence lifetime, thereby ensuring that the fluorescent waveguide 200 formed by mixing the fluorescent material and the main matrix has good luminescence performance.

[0050] In some embodiments, the host matrix is ​​a light-curable adhesive or a heat-curable adhesive.

[0051] For example, the main matrix can be made of a light-curing adhesive such as NOA68, NOA61 or SU8, and cured by ultraviolet light of a corresponding wavelength. Alternatively, a heat-curing adhesive such as PMMA can be used, and the main matrix can be cured by heating it to a corresponding temperature.

[0052] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a visible light communication system, including a substrate 300 , a signal light receiving component 400 , and a signal light transmitting component 500 .

[0053] The signal light receiving component 400 includes a first fluorescent fiber 410, a first photodetector 420, a second fluorescent fiber 430, and a second photodetector 440. The first fluorescent fiber 410 and the second fluorescent fiber 430 are both fluorescent fibers provided in the embodiment of the first aspect, and the fluorescent waveguides 200 in the first fluorescent fiber 410 and the second fluorescent fiber 430 have different absorbable wavelengths for visible light. The first fluorescent fiber 410 and the second fluorescent fiber 430 are both arranged on the substrate 300, and the output surface 1201 of the first fluorescent fiber 410 is connected to the first photodetector 420, and the output surface 1201 of the second fluorescent fiber 430 is connected to the second photodetector 440. The signal light emitting component 500 is used to emit a visible light signal to the outer annular surface 101 of the first fluorescent fiber 410 and the second fluorescent fiber 430.

[0054] The signal light emitting component 500 may be a laser diode, an LED lamp or other types of light sources. The substrate 300 is horizontally arranged below the signal light emitting component 500, and the first fluorescent optical fiber 410 and the second fluorescent optical fiber 430 are both horizontally arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 300 to receive the visible light signal emitted by the signal light emitting component 500.

[0055] Different fluorescent materials can be used in the first fluorescent fiber 410 and the second fluorescent fiber 430 to absorb visible light of different wavelengths. The signal light transmitting component 500 transmits a visible light signal containing multiple wavelengths according to the communication signal, which corresponds to the wavelengths absorbable by the first fluorescent fiber 410 and the second fluorescent fiber 430. When the visible light signal emitted by the signal light transmitting component 500 irradiates the outer annular surface 101 of the first fluorescent fiber 410 and the second fluorescent fiber 430, the first fluorescent fiber 410 and the second fluorescent fiber 430 absorb the light of their respective absorbable wavelengths and convert the absorbed light into fluorescent signals. The output surfaces 1201 of the first fluorescent fiber 410 and the second fluorescent fiber 430 transmit the fluorescent signals to the first photodetector 420 and the second photodetector 440 respectively, and the first photodetector 420 and the second photodetector 440 convert the received fluorescent signals into corresponding electrical signals.

[0056] The processor is then used to decode and process the two electrical signals output by the first photodetector 420 and the second photodetector 440, so as to restore the original communication signal and realize multiplexed communication.

[0057] In some embodiments, there are at least two first fluorescent optical fibers 410 , which are parallel to each other and arranged at intervals along the first direction. There are at least two second fluorescent optical fibers 430 , which are parallel to each other and arranged at intervals along the second direction.

[0058] Among them, the output surfaces 1201 of multiple first fluorescent optical fibers 410 are commonly connected to the same first photodetector 420, and the output surfaces 1201 of multiple second fluorescent optical fibers 430 are commonly connected to the same second photodetector 440, thereby realizing multi-channel parallel transmission, which can significantly improve the data transmission capacity of the visible light communication system and meet the needs of high-speed data transmission.

[0059] In one practicable manner, if Figure 4 As shown, the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other, and the first fluorescent optical fiber 410 and the second fluorescent optical fiber 430 are arranged alternately in sequence.

[0060] The output surface 1201 of the first fluorescent fiber 410 and the output surface 1201 on the second fluorescent fiber 430 are respectively located on two opposite sides of the substrate 300, and the first photodetector 420 and the second photodetector 440 are also respectively located on two opposite sides of the substrate 300 to connect with the corresponding output surfaces 1201.

[0061] In another possible implementation, Figure 5 As shown, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the first fluorescent optical fiber 410 and the second fluorescent optical fiber 430 are also arranged at intervals along the third direction.

[0062] The first direction and the second direction may both be horizontal directions, and the third direction is a vertical direction. That is, the first fluorescent optical fiber 410 and the second fluorescent optical fiber 430 are arranged on the substrate 300 at intervals along the vertical direction, and the first fluorescent optical fiber 410 and the second fluorescent optical fiber 430 are perpendicular to each other, the output surface 1201 of the first fluorescent optical fiber 410 and the output surface 1201 of the second fluorescent optical fiber 430 are respectively located on different sides of the substrate 300, and the first photodetector 420 and the second photodetector 440 are also respectively arranged at corresponding ends of the substrate 300 to connect the corresponding output surfaces 1201.

[0063] Under the above arrangement, the staggered arrangement of the first fluorescent optical fiber 410 and the second fluorescent optical fiber 430 can effectively reduce the interference between visible light signals and improve the overall performance of the visible light communication system. By adjusting the number and arrangement of the first fluorescent optical fiber 410 and the second fluorescent optical fiber 430, different application scenarios and requirements can be adapted.

[0064] In a third aspect, the present application also provides a method for preparing the fluorescent optical fiber in the first aspect of the embodiment, comprising the following steps:

[0065] Step 1: dissolving fluorescent material into a liquid main matrix to form a liquid fluorescent waveguide.

[0066] The main matrix is ​​a transparent curable material, such as NOA68, NOA61, SU8 or PMMA, etc. The liquid main matrix can be cured into a solid state by ultraviolet light irradiation, heating, etc. according to the selected material.

[0067] The fluorescent material is an aggregation-induced luminescence material, and is selected according to the required absorption and emission bands. Aggregation-induced luminescence materials increase the fluorescence efficiency as the concentration of the fluorescent material increases, and are not easily quenched, ultimately resulting in a higher signal gain and better signal-to-noise ratio at both ends of the fluorescent optical fiber, while maintaining a very high modulation cutoff frequency. The fluorescent material can be selected in a concentration of 0.1 to 20 mg / ml depending on properties such as fluorescence intensity. After adding the corresponding concentration of fluorescent material to the main matrix, the fluorescent material and the main matrix are fully and evenly mixed by stirring or the like, thereby forming a liquid fluorescent waveguide.

[0068] Step 2: injecting the liquid fluorescent waveguide into the accommodating cavity of the light-transmitting tube.

[0069] Before injecting the liquid fluorescent waveguide, two openings should be reserved in the transparent tube body of the transparent tube, and the liquid fluorescent waveguide can be sucked into the accommodating cavity through the openings by a syringe. In addition, when a capillary glass tube is used as the transparent tube, the self-absorption effect of the capillary glass tube can also be used to suck the liquid fluorescent waveguide into the accommodating cavity.

[0070] Step three, solidifying the liquid fluorescent waveguide into a solid fluorescent waveguide in the accommodating cavity.

[0071] The process of curing the liquid fluorescent waveguide can be selected according to the selected main matrix material.

[0072] For example, when the main matrix uses UV curing adhesive such as NOA68, NOA61 or SU8, the liquid fluorescent waveguide in the light-transmitting tube can be irradiated with a UV light source to achieve rapid and uniform curing of the liquid fluorescent waveguide in the light-transmitting tube. The curing time can be selected from 1 to 10 minutes, which is determined by the intensity of the UV light source, the thickness of the liquid fluorescent waveguide, and the concentration of the fluorescent material.

[0073] When the main matrix is ​​a heat-curing adhesive such as PMMA, the light-transmitting tube filled with liquid fluorescent waveguide can be placed in a constant temperature oven and heated at an appropriate temperature to cure the liquid fluorescent waveguide. The curing temperature and time need to be adjusted according to the characteristics of the material used to ensure uniform curing of the fluorescent waveguide.

[0074] The fluorescent waveguide formed by mixing the curing material and the fluorescent material can be conveniently injected into the light-transmitting tube body in a liquid state, and the fluorescent waveguide is cured in the light-transmitting tube body by a corresponding curing method to form a fluorescent waveguide optical fiber with a stable structure. The preparation method is simple and the preparation cost is low.

[0075] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A fluorescent optical fiber, characterized in that: It includes a light-transmitting tube body and a fluorescent waveguide; The light-transmitting tube body has a containing cavity, and at least one extending end of the light-transmitting tube body has an opening, and the outer annular surface of the light-transmitting tube body is used to receive visible light signals; The fluorescent waveguide is filled in the accommodating cavity and has an output surface at the opening. The fluorescent waveguide is used to absorb the visible light signal passing through the transparent tube body and convert it into a fluorescent signal. The inner annular surface of the transparent tube body is used to reflect part of the fluorescent signal converted by the fluorescent waveguide, so that the fluorescent signal generated in the fluorescent waveguide is directionally transmitted to the output surface.

2. The fluorescent optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output surface is a curved surface or a conical surface convex in a direction away from the accommodating cavity.

3. The fluorescent optical fiber according to claim 2, characterized in that: The output surface is a hemispherical surface that is convex toward the outside of the accommodating cavity.

4. The fluorescent optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output surface is a polished plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the light-transmitting tube body.

5. The fluorescent optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The fluorescent waveguide includes a mixed fluorescent material and a main matrix, wherein the main matrix is ​​a curable material that can be cured from a liquid state to a solid state, and the main matrix is ​​transparent in the visible light band after being cured.

6. The fluorescent optical fiber according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fluorescent material is an aggregation-induced emission material, and the concentration of the fluorescent material is 0.1-20 mg / ml.

7. The fluorescent optical fiber according to claim 5, characterized in that: The main matrix is ​​a light-curing adhesive or a heat-curing adhesive.

8. A visible light communication system, characterized in that: include: A substrate, a signal light receiving component and a signal light emitting component, wherein the signal light receiving component comprises a first fluorescent optical fiber, a first photodetector, a second fluorescent optical fiber and a second photodetector, the first fluorescent optical fiber and the second fluorescent optical fiber are both fluorescent optical fibers as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, and the absorption wavelengths of visible light by the fluorescent waveguides in the first fluorescent optical fiber and the second fluorescent optical fiber are different, the first fluorescent optical fiber and the second fluorescent optical fiber are both arranged on the substrate, the first photodetector is connected to the output surface of the first fluorescent optical fiber, the second photodetector is connected to the output surface of the second fluorescent optical fiber, and the signal light emitting component is used to emit visible light signals to the first fluorescent optical fiber and the second fluorescent optical fiber.

9. The visible light communication system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The number of the first fluorescent optical fibers is at least two, and the at least two first fluorescent optical fibers are parallel to each other and arranged at intervals along the first direction; The number of the second fluorescent optical fibers is at least two, and the at least two second fluorescent optical fibers are parallel to each other and arranged at intervals along the second direction; The first direction and the second direction are parallel to or perpendicular to each other.

10. A method for preparing the fluorescent optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: Dissolving fluorescent material into a liquid main matrix to form a liquid fluorescent waveguide; Injecting the liquid fluorescent waveguide into the accommodating cavity of the light-transmitting tube; The liquid fluorescent waveguide is solidified in the accommodating cavity to become the solid fluorescent waveguide.

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