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AssigneeSchott AG
InventorsWilliam H. JAMES, III, Elizabeth CHASE, Mark J. DAVIS, Paula VULLO, Sally PUCILOWSKI, Eric Hector URRUTI
Estimating the term…
The invention relates to an optical scattering element suitable for dispersing or scattering light transmitted by optical device by Mie scattering. The optical scattering element comprises a phase-separated or porous borosilicate glass having dispersed phase particles with a particle size of 200 to 500 nanometers or pores with a size of 200 to 500 nanometers, at a number density of 108 to 1012 mm−3. The optical scattering element can be prepared by subjecting a borosilicate glass to a controlled heat treatment to induce phase separation, and then optionally leaching out one of the phases with an acid leach. The optical scattering element can be, for example, attached to an end of an optical fiber or bundle of optical fibers. The invention also relates to a method of dispersing or scattering light by transmitting the light through the optical scattering element.
A device comprising at least one optical fiber and at least one Mie scattering optical element for dispersing light emitted from said at least one optical fiber, wherein said at least one Mie scattering optical element comprises a phase-separated or porous glass having dispersed phase particles with a particle size of 200 to 500 nanometers or pores having a size of 200 to 500 nanometers, at a number density of 108 to 1012 mm−3.
An endoscope comprising an optical fiber or optical fiber bundle and an optical scattering element attached to the distal end of said optical fiber or optical fiber bundle for dispersing light emitted from the distal end of said optical fiber or optical fiber bundle, the optical scattering element comprising a phase-separated or porous glass (such as a borosilicate glass, preferably an alkali borosilicate glass) having dispersed phase particles with a particle size of 200 to 500 nanometers or pores having a size of 200 to 500 nanometers, at a number density of 108 to 1012 mm−3.
A method for dispersing or scattering light transmitted by optical device comprising transmitting the light through an optical scattering element comprising a phase-separated or porous glass (such as a borosilicate glass, preferably an alkali borosilicate glass) having dispersed phase particles with a particle size of 200 to 500 nanometers or pores having a size of 200 to 500 nanometers, at a number density of 108 to 1012 mm−3.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.