Waveguide Holder for Controlled Side Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems using optical fibers struggle to control and modify the illumination scheme effectively, as the interaction of light with scattering structures within the fibers often results in unwanted light leakage and directional issues, necessitating a solution to manage the illumination pattern and spectrum.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide holder that conforms to the side surface of the optical fiber, utilizing scattering structures and luminescent materials to selectively absorb, reflect, or transmit light, allowing for controlled side illumination by shaping the radiation pattern and spectrum of the out-coupled light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If scattering structures are integrated inside the fiber to redirect light out of the waveguide, then side illumination is achieved, but control over illumination pattern and spectrum is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A holder is introduced as an intermediary component between the waveguide and the surrounding environment. The holder contains scattering structures and luminescent materials that mediate the light extraction process, providing control over illumination pattern and spectrum without modifying the waveguide itself. This separates the light guidance function from the light modification function.
Solution Approach 2:
The scattering structures are positioned in a holder surrounding the waveguide rather than being integrated inside the fiber. This spatial reorganization allows independent optimization of light extraction characteristics while maintaining the waveguide's core transmission function.
2Illumination intensity
If luminescent materials are integrated inside the fiber-core or cladding to convert wavelength, then wavelength conversion is achieved, but control over illumination spectrum is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Luminescent materials are placed in the holder surrounding the waveguide rather than being integrated inside the fiber. This external positioning allows selection and arrangement of different luminescent materials to achieve desired spectrum conversion and tailoring while keeping the waveguide simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Different luminescent materials can be positioned at different locations around the waveguide in the holder, allowing localized wavelength conversion. This enables spatial and spectral customization of the illumination output to match specific application requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a holder is introduced to control illumination by selective reflection, absorption or transmission, then illumination control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder serves multiple functions simultaneously: it positions the waveguide, provides scattering structures for light extraction, contains luminescent materials for wavelength conversion, and offers mechanical support and protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder combines several optical control functions (scattering, luminescence, reflection, absorption) into a single integrated structure surrounding the waveguide, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining control capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The waveguide holder enables precise control over the illumination pattern and spectrum, enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of fiber-based illumination systems, allowing for tailored lighting solutions in various applications such as microscopy and quality inspection.
Implementation Method 1
The scattering elements may be realized by adding elements such as impurities while drawing the fiber, by processing holes within the fiber, or through mechanical, laser or chemical processing of the fiber
Implementation Method 2
A photo - luminescent layer absorbs the re-directed primary light to thereby emit secondary wavelength converted light having a different wavelength than and broader bandwidth than the primary light
Implementation Method 3
A reflector behind the waveguide faces the medium of photo-luminescent material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A holder (101) has a support structure in which a groove is formed and is sized to receive therein a side of a waveguide (100) that is fixed in position next to a surface of the groove. The groove runs in a longitudinal direction, along the length direction of the waveguide (100). The holder (101) a) reflects, diffuses or absorbs some of the out-coupled from the side of the waveguide, or b) wavelength converts some of the out-coupled light, to produce side illumination that emerges from a side of the holder (101). Other embodiments are also described and claimed.