Characterization of side emitting plastic optical fibers light intensity loss

The main role of polymer optical fibers is to transmit light or optical signal to a specified spot. In the case of side emitting plastic optical fibers the light leaks out from their surface. This sidelight can be used for creation of optically active textile structures providing opportunities to highlight people and objects without the need for external exposure. Due to the transmission loss, the intensity of radiation emitted in any direction decays exponentially along the fiber axis with increasing distance from the light source. The main aim of this contribution is evaluation of side emitting plastic optical fibers light intensity in dependence on the distance from light source. The special device for measurement of surface and cross section light intensity in various distances from light source was developed. The dependence of surface and cross section light intensity on the distance from light source will be expressed by the exponential type model with attenuation factor as the rate parameter. The influence of the optical fiber type and diameter on the attenuation factor of surface and cross section light intensity will be quantified.