Abstract: The invention relates to a minute structure for showing an interference color having a certain wavelength within a visible light region, by reflection and interference of a natural light incident on the minute structure. The minute structure has: a laminated portion including a plurality of first layers having a first refractive index and a plurality of second layers having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index; and a stray-light absorbing member. The first and second layers are alternately placed on top of each other. The stray light has wavelengths other than the certain wavelength and is formed by transmittance of the natural light through the laminated portion, reflectance of the natural light by the laminated portion and/or scattering of the natural light by the laminated portion. The invention further relates to a fabric for showing the interference color.

Abstract: A composite polymer fiber is produced employing at least two polymer compounds according to a process for producing a composite polymer fiber including the steps of supplying at least two polymer compounds; forming a belt flow by arranging alternately unmixed strips of the polymer compounds supplied; and injecting the belt flow after it is compressed such that the thickness of the belt flow may be longer than the width thereof and that multiple layers of the polymer compounds may be parallel to the longer axis of the fiber. According to this process, there is obtained a fiber having a multilayered structure, in which the thickness of each layer can be controlled with optical accuracy since the multilayered structure is formed in one step, and also having a rectangular cross section in which each layer in the fabric is oriented parallel to the longer axis of the fiber, so that the layers can be easily oriented, when woven into a fabric, in such a direction as to obtain high-intensity coherent beams of light.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing fibers with optical function includes spinning a thermoplastic polymer by a spinneret having an opening with first slits arranged parallel to each other and a second slit arranged perpendicular thereto, the spinneret being formed to satisfy a predetermined relation between the length of the first slits and the width of the second slit.

Abstract: In a fabrication machine of sea island type optical fiber having a plurality of wings by spinning, when a sea part polymer is insufficiently supplied into space between the adjacent wings to cause fusion of the adjacent wings, failing in producing an optical fiber having the desired optical characteristics. The present invention solved this problem. A guide member introduces the sea part polymer supplied from sea part polymer inlets into flow paths or slits between projection wings of a partition wall for a flow path control of an island part. A sufficient amount of sea part polymer is supplied to the space between the adjacent wings of an island part of the obtained optical fiber and an optical fiber having the desired optical characteristics can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a minute structure for showing an interference color having a certain wavelength within a visible light region, by reflection and interference of a natural light incident on the minute structure. The minute structure has: a laminated portion including a plurality of first layers having a first refractive index and a plurality of second layers having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index; and a stray-light absorbing member. The first and second layers are alternately placed on top of each other. The stray light has wavelengths other than the certain wavelength and is formed by transmittance of the natural light through the laminated portion, reflectance of the natural light by the laminated portion and/or scattering of the natural light by the laminated portion. The invention further relates to a fabric for showing the interference color.

Abstract: A spinneret for manufacturing modified cross-section fibers with optical function includes tubes arranged to a spinneret for spinning an island portion, and a partition device for enclosing the tubes for leading a melt polymer. The spinneret and the partition device cooperating with each other to define a predetermined space.

Abstract: A spinneret for manufacturing modified cross-section fibers with optical function includes a middle spinneret for spinning an island portion, which has a base and an opening for extruding a melt polymer for forming an island portion. A partition device is mounted to the middle spinneret to partition the opening thereof, the partition device having an opening communicating with the opening of the middle spinneret which protrudes-from the base thereof.

Abstract: A coloring structure for generating a color having a wave length in an area of a visible light by reflecting and interfering actions of a natural light includes first substance layers having an optical refractive index of n.sub.a and second substance layers having an optical refractive index of n.sub.b. The second layers overlie respective first layers in an alternating arrangement of the first and second layers. In order to generate a brilliant color by the reflecting and interfering actions, the optical refractive indexes n.sub.a and n.sub.b are established to satisfy both of relationships "1.3.ltoreq.n.sub.a " and "1.1.ltoreq.n.sub.b /n.sub.a .ltoreq.1.4". The coloring structure may contain a fluorescent pigment.

Abstract: A minute structure for showing colors by reflection and interference of natural light includes a plurality of fin portions and a central portion for uniting the fin portions. The fin portions are aligned in a first direction and positioned such that the adjacent fin portions are spaced from each other so as to define therebetween a void space which is filled with air. Each fin portion has a first width defined in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and a second width defined in the first direction. The void space has a third width which is defined in the first direction. The central portion has a fourth width defined in the second direction. The first width of each fin portion is three times or more larger than the fourth width of the central portion. The third width of the void space ranges from 0.02 .mu.m to 0.4 .mu.m. The second width of each fin portion is not less than 0.02 .mu.m. A refractive index of each fin portion ranges from 1.2 to 1.8.