Transparent composites with organic fiber

A substantially optically transparent composite article, comprising:

• a substantially transparent matrix having a matrix refractive index;
• a plurality of substantially transparent organic fibers embedded within the matrix, the organic fibers having a refractive index that is substantially equivalent to the matrix refractive index within at least one of the visible spectrum and the infrared spectrum;
• and
• the matrix and the organic fibers having substantially equivalent temperature coefficients of refractive index;
• the organic fibers having an elongated cross section and being a non-multi-layer structure.

A method of manufacturing a composite article, comprising the steps of:

• providing a substantially transparent matrix having a matrix refractive index;
• providing at least one substantially transparent organic fiber having a refractive index that is substantially equivalent to the matrix refractive index and having an elongated cross section and opposing substantially planar fiber faces oriented parallel to one another;
• selecting a wavelength band of interest;
• selecting the matrix and the organic fiber such that a temperature coefficient of refractive index of the matrix is substantially equivalent to a temperature coefficient of refractive index of the fiber within the wavelength band of interest;
• embedding the organic fiber within the matrix;
• and
• minimizing a scattering of light incident on the composite article in response to the fiber faces being substantially planar and oriented parallel to one another.

A method of manufacturing a composite article, comprising the steps of:

• selecting at least one of a visible spectrum and an infrared spectrum as a wavelength band of interest to which the composite article is to be subjected;
• selecting a temperature range to which the composite article is to be subjected;
• providing a substantially transparent matrix having a matrix refractive index and a temperature coefficient of refractive index;
• providing a plurality of substantially transparent organic fibers having a refractive index and a temperature coefficient of refractive index that is substantially equivalent to the temperature coefficient of refractive index of the matrix within the temperature range, the refractive index of the fibers being substantially equivalent to the matrix refractive index within the wavelength band of interest;
• providing the organic fibers in an elongated cross section having an opposing pair of substantially planar fiber faces oriented parallel to one another;
• embedding the organic fibers within the matrix to form at least one layer of organic fibers within the matrix;
• orienting the substantially planar fiber faces to be substantially parallel to a substantially planar article surface of the composite article;
• and
• minimizing a scattering of light incident on the composite article in response to the fiber faces being substantially planar and oriented parallel to one another.