Corning Incorporated
Coating for light-diffusing optical fibers

Abstract:

A light-diffusing optical fiber that provides a symmetric intensity distribution of forward and backward scattered light is described. The fiber includes a secondary coating that contains scattering centers. Control of the thickness of the secondary coating and concentration of scattering centers provides control over the distribution of scattered intensity. More symmetric distributions of scattered light intensity are realized by increasing the thickness of the secondary coating and/or the concentration of scattering centers in the secondary coating. Representative scattering centers include oxide nanoparticles.