Abstract: A solid body made of an inactive, light transmissive material has embedded therein an optical fiber having a lengthwise segment in which a scattering structure is formed that is to redirect primary propagating light sideways out of the fiber. An active photoluminescent layer integrated in the optical fiber is to wavelength-convert the primary light into secondary light. The solid body is generally cylindrical but without rotational symmetry about the center longitudinal axis of the fiber. A portion of the outer side surface of the body is curved and is covered by an external reflector, while another portion of the outer side surface is uncovered by the reflector in order for the secondary light to emerge. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A solid body made of an inactive, light transmissive material has embedded therein an optical fiber having a lengthwise segment in which a scattering structure is formed that is to redirect primary propagating light sideways out of the fiber. An active photoluminescent layer integrated in the optical fiber is to wavelength-convert the primary light into secondary light. The solid body is generally cylindrical but without rotational symmetry about the center longitudinal axis of the fiber. A portion of the outer side surface of the body is curved and is covered by an external reflector, while another portion of the outer side surface is uncovered by the reflector in order for the secondary light to emerge. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An optical waveguide based side illuminating assembly having an elongated, side-emitting light waveguide, an optical protective coating surrounding the waveguide, an elongated base to which the waveguide is attached lengthwise along the elongated base, via the optical protective coating, a reflector between the optical protective coating and the elongated base and extending lengthwise along the base, and an elongated reinforcing structure embedded in the elongated base, or attached to an outer surface of the elongated base, and extending lengthwise along the elongated base. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A solid body made of an inactive, light transmissive material has embedded therein an optical fiber having a lengthwise segment in which a scattering structure is formed that is to redirect primary propagating light sideways out of the fiber. An active photoluminescent layer integrated in the optical fiber is to wavelength-convert the primary light into secondary light. The solid body is generally cylindrical but without rotational symmetry about the center longitudinal axis of the fiber. A portion of the outer side surface of the body is curved and is covered by an external reflector, while another portion of the outer side surface is uncovered by the reflector in order for the secondary light to emerge. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A solid body made of an inactive, light transmissive material (3) has embedded therein an optical fiber (6) having a lengthwise segment (9) in which a scattering structure is formed that is to redirect primary propagating light sideways out of the fiber (6). An active photoluminescent layer integrated in the optical fiber (6) is to wavelength-convert the primary light into secondary light. The solid body is generally cylindrical but without rotational symmetry about the center longitudinal axis (2) of the fiber (6). A portion of the outer side surface of the body is curved and is covered by an external reflector (4), while another portion of the outer side surface is uncovered by the reflector in order for the secondary light to emerge. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A holder has a support structure in which a groove is formed and is sized to receive therein a side of a waveguide 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. The holder 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. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A waveguide in which coherent light is to propagate along its longitudinal axis has formed therein a first scattering zone (103) that runs along the longitudinal axis and that is to scatter the propagating coherent light (105) out of the waveguide at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Means for vibrating a light spot of the coherent light relative to the waveguide, or means for dynamically changing a focus of the light spot, is provided, so that light coupling of the coherent light into the waveguide changes over time thereby generating different speckle patterns in the waveguide that overlap with the first scattering zone. Other embodiments are also described and claimed including one where a functional or diffusing coating (102) is provided that in combination with the first scattering zone yields a reduced speckle pattern.

Abstract: A solid body made of an inactive, light transmissive material (3) has embedded therein an optical fiber (6) having a lengthwise segment (9) in which a scattering structure is formed that is to redirect primary propagating light sideways out of the fiber (6). An active photoluminescent layer integrated in the optical fiber (6) is to wavelength-convert the primary light into secondary light. The solid body is generally cylindrical but without rotational symmetry about the center longitudinal axis (2) of the fiber (6). A portion of the outer side surface of the body is curved and is covered by an external reflector (4), while another portion of the outer side surface is uncovered by the reflector in order for the secondary light to emerge. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A waveguide such as optical fiber is to receive a primary light in a longitudinal (propagation) direction. The fiber has formed therein scattering structures that re-direct the propagating primary light out of the waveguide, for instance in a transverse direction. 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, resulting in white illumination light, being the secondary light combined with any unabsorbed primary light. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A waveguide such as optical fiber is to receive a primary light in a longitudinal (propagation) direction. The fiber has formed therein scattering structures that re-direct the propagating primary light out of the waveguide, for instance in a transverse direction. 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, resulting in white illumination light, being the secondary light combined with any unabsorbed primary light. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A waveguide (100, 101) such as optical fiber is to receive a primary light in a longitudinal (propagation) direction. The fiber has formed therein scattering structures (105, 106, 107) that re-direct the propagating primary light out of the waveguide, for instance in a transverse direction. A photo-luminescent layer (103) 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, resulting in white illumination light, being the secondary light combined with any unabsorbed primary light. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A holder has a support structure in which a groove is formed and is sized to receive therein a side of a waveguide 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. The holder 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. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A waveguide in which coherent light is to propagate along its longitudinal axis has formed therein a first scattering zone (103) that runs along the longitudinal axis and that is to scatter the propagating coherent light (105) out of the waveguide at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Means for vibrating a light spot of the coherent light relative to the waveguide, or means for dynamically changing a focus of the light spot, is provided, so that light coupling of the coherent light into the waveguide changes over time thereby generating different speckle patterns in the waveguide that overlap with the first scattering zone. Other embodiments are also described and claimed including one where a functional or diffusing coating (102) is provided that in combination with the first scattering zone yields a reduced speckle pattern.

Abstract: A waveguide (100, 101) such as optical fiber is to receive a primary light in a longitudinal (propagation) direction. The fiber has formed therein scattering structures (105, 106, 107) that re-direct the propagating primary light out of the waveguide, for instance in a transverse direction. A photo-luminescent layer (103) 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, resulting in white illumination light, being the secondary light combined with any unabsorbed primary light. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A refractive index grating is formed in an optical waveguide. A detector has an incident light surface that is oriented at about a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the waveguide. The surface is positioned upstream of the grating and outside of the waveguide to receive reflected light from the grating. An index matching material fills essentially the entirety of the light path for the reflected light, from an outside surface of the waveguide to the detector's incident light surface. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A first out-coupled light spot is produced on a first detector surface, from a first region of varying refractive index formed in an optical waveguide. A second out-coupled light spot is produced on a second detector surface different than the first, from a second region of varying refractive index formed in the waveguide. The light spots are produced in response to a forward propagating communications signal in the waveguide. A signal from the first surface is compared to a signal from the second surface, and this comparison is used to discriminate between a wavelength shift and a change in power in the communication signal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.