Patent ID: 8787717
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A system for coupling light into a transparent sheet having an edge and a surface, comprising: a light source that generates light; and a light-diffusing optical fiber optically coupled to the light source and disposed adjacent the transparent sheet, the light-diffusing optical fiber having a silica based glass core with core diameter <300 μm, a cladding and a length, the silica based glass core having randomly arranged voids configured to provide substantially continuous light emission from the core and out of the cladding and into the transparent sheet, a refractive index-matching material disposed between the light-diffusing optical fiber and the transparent sheet such that the light enters the transparent sheet through at least a portion of the index-matching material, wherein the index matching material includes at least one of: a) a spatial variation in refractive index; b) discrete portions disposed at discrete locations along the light-diffusing optical fiber; and c) a variation in thickness as a function of length along the light-diffusing optical fiber.