Abstract: A fiber optic illumination system includes a light source, a waveguide, and an optical fiber. One or more lamps and/or solid-state devices may be employed as the light source. The waveguide includes a straight collecting segment, a tapered condensing segment, and a straight homogenizing segment, may be fabricated from fused silica as a single monolithic component, conveys light from the light source to the optical fiber by transmission and/or internal reflection, and may be provided with UV and/or IR blocking filter coating(s). The optical fiber may be colorless or fluorescent optical fiber. Light transmitted by the optical fiber may be delivered to any one or more of a variety of light output devices, including diffusive flat panels, diffusive rods or wands, fluorescent light emitting converters, projectors, spectrum generators, and so on.

Abstract: A fiber optic illumination system includes a light source, a waveguide, a primary optical fiber, a diffraction grating wavelength selector, and a secondary optical fiber. One or more lamps and/or solid-state devices may be employed as the light source. The waveguide includes a straight collecting segment, a tapered condensing segment, and a straight homogenizing segment, may be fabricated from fused silica as a single monolithic component, conveys light from the light source to the primary optical fiber by transmission and/or internal reflection, and may be provided with UV and/or IR blocking filter coating(s). The primary optical fiber may be colorless or fluorescent optical fiber. Light transmitted by the primary optical fiber may be divided into its constituent wavelength components by the diffraction grating, and a desired wavelength component may be received by, transmitted by, and emitted from the secondary optical fiber.

Abstract: A fluorescent optical fiber is provided that is prepared from a novel material. The novel material comprises a cross-linked polymer Poly(methyl methacrylate) (MMA) [CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(CH.sub.3)COOCH.sub.3 ] and allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39), initiated with 2.2'-Azo-bis (2 Methylpropionitrile) [(CH.sub.3).sub.2 C(CN)N.dbd.NC(CH.sub.3).sub.2 CN], in which a laser dye or mixture of dyes is dissolved, and the mixture is then thermoset under pressure into Teflon.RTM. tubing. The material exhibits fluorescence when illuminated by various light sources. When the material is formed into a fiber, the result is a fluorescent, large diameter, flexible, light transmitting optical fiber, that emits a lot of side light, presenting a neon-like effect, and can thus be used in illumination applications. Also disclosed is a method of preparation of this novel material into a fiber.