Illumination waveguide and method for producing same

The illumination waveguide achieves efficient side emission over a long distance by using a non-fluorine-based polymer cladding with a smooth surface and controlled refractive index difference, addressing the limitations of fluoropolymers in existing designs.

WO2026133101A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-06-253M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
Filing Date
2025-12-15
Publication Date
2026-06-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing illumination waveguides rely on fluoropolymers for low refractive index claddings, which may not be suitable for certain applications, and there is a need for a solution that enables high side emission without using fluorine-based materials.

Method used

An illumination waveguide design featuring a core and cladding with a non-fluorine-based polymer, where the cladding has a smooth inner surface roughness less than 300 nm, a refractive index difference of 0.05 to 0.20, and a luminance retention ratio of 0.1 or more, allowing efficient side emission over a long distance.

Benefits of technology

The solution enables high luminance side emission along the length direction without using fluorine-based materials, maintaining luminance over a long distance and reducing material yellowing.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure IB2025062909_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure IB2025062909_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

Provided is an illumination waveguide that can exhibit high side emission along a length direction without using a fluorine-based material. An illumination waveguide includes a core and a cladding surrounding the core, the cladding containing a non-fluorine-based polymer and having an inner surface that is smooth. The core and the cladding are directly adjacent to each other, a surface roughness Ra of the inner surface of the cladding is less than 300 nm, a refractive index n1 of the core is 1.44 or more, a refractive index n2 of the cladding is 1.39 or more, a refractive index difference Δn between the core and the cladding is from 0.05 to 0.20, and L2 / L1 is 0.1 or more, where L1 is luminance at a position 100 mm from the end portion, and L2 is luminance at a position 400 mm from the end portion.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art