Light-coupling optical systems and methods employing light-diffusing optical fiber

A light-coupling optical system, comprising:

• a transparent sheet having a perimeter;
• at least one light-diffusing optical fiber having a glass core, a cladding surrounding the glass core, and a length, the glass core having randomly arranged voids configured to provide substantially spatially continuous light emission from the glass core and out of the cladding, and into the transparent sheet along at least a portion of the length, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber being coupled to at least a portion of the perimeter of the transparent sheet;
• at least one light source optically coupled to the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber scattering light optically coupled into the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber from the at least one light source;
• and
• a bezel surrounding the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber and the perimeter of the transparent sheet,
• wherein the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber further comprises a coating layer surrounding the cladding and a light-scattering layer surrounding the coating layer.

A light-coupling optical system, comprising:

• a transparent sheet having a perimeter and substantially parallel opposite upper and lower surfaces;
• at least one light-diffusing optical fiber having a glass core, a cladding surrounding the glass core, a light-scattering layer surrounding the cladding, and a length, the glass core having randomly arranged voids configured to provide substantially spatially continuous light emission from the glass core and out of the cladding through the a light-scattering layer and into the transparent sheet along at least a portion of the length, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber being positioned proximate to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent sheet;
• and
• at least one light source optically coupled to the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber scattering light optically coupled into the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber from the at least one light source,
• wherein a length of the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber positioned inside of the perimeter of the transparent sheet is greater than a length of the perimeter.

A light-coupling optical system, comprising:

• a transparent sheet having a perimeter and substantially parallel opposite upper and lower surfaces;
• at least one light-diffusing optical fiber having a glass core, a cladding surrounding the glass core, and a length, the glass core having randomly arranged voids configured to provide substantially spatially continuous light emission from the glass core and out of the cladding and into the transparent sheet along at least a portion of the length, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber being positioned proximate to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent sheet;
• and
• at least one light source optically coupled to the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber scattering light optically coupled into the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber from the at least one light source,
• wherein a length of the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber positioned inside of the perimeter of the transparent sheet is greater than a length of the perimeter,
• wherein the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber comprises a central core region, cladding surrounding the central core region, a coating layer surrounding the cladding, and a light-scattering layer surrounding the coating layer.

A light-coupling optical system, comprising:

• a transparent sheet having a perimeter;
• at least one light-diffusing optical fiber having a glass core, a cladding surrounding the glass core, a light-scattering layer surrounding the cladding, and a length, the glass core having randomly arranged voids configured to provide substantially spatially continuous light emission from the glass core and out of the cladding through the a light-scattering layer into the transparent sheet along at least a portion of the length;
• a lower sheet having a reflective surface, the lower sheet positioned opposite the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber from the transparent sheet;
• and
• at least one light source optically coupled to the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber scattering light optically coupled into the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber from the at least one light source.

A light-coupling optical system, comprising:

• a transparent sheet having a perimeter;
• at least one light-diffusing optical fiber having a glass core, a cladding surrounding the glass core, and a length, the glass core having randomly arranged voids configured to provide substantially spatially continuous light emission from the glass core and out of the cladding and into the transparent sheet along at least a portion of the length;
• a lower sheet having a reflective surface, the lower sheet positioned opposite the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber from the transparent sheet;
• and
• at least one light source optically coupled to the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber scattering light optically coupled into the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber from the at least one light source,
• wherein the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber comprises a central core region, cladding surrounding the central core region, a coating layer surrounding the cladding, and a light-scattering layer surrounding the coating layer.

A light-coupling optical system, comprising:

• a transparent sheet having a perimeter and substantially parallel opposite upper and lower surfaces;
• and
• at least one light-diffusing optical fiber having a glass core, a cladding surrounding the glass core, a light-scattering layer surrounding the cladding, and a length, the glass core having randomly arranged voids configured to provide substantially spatially continuous light emission from the glass core and out of the cladding through the a light-scattering layer into the transparent sheet along at least a portion of the length, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber being positioned proximate to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent sheet;
• and
• wherein a length of the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber positioned inside of the perimeter of the transparent sheet is greater than a length of the perimeter.

A light-coupling optical system, comprising:

• a transparent sheet having a perimeter and substantially parallel opposite upper and lower surfaces;
• and
• at least one light-diffusing optical fiber having a glass core, a cladding surrounding the glass core, and a length, the glass core having randomly arranged voids configured to provide substantially spatially continuous light emission from the glass core and out of the cladding and into the transparent sheet along at least a portion of the length, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber being positioned proximate to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent sheet;
• and
• wherein a length of the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber positioned inside of the perimeter of the transparent sheet is greater than a length of the perimeter
• wherein the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber comprises a central core region, cladding surrounding the central core region, a coating layer surrounding the cladding, and a light-scattering layer surrounding the coating layer.

A light-coupling optical system, comprising:

• a transparent sheet having a perimeter and substantially parallel opposite upper and lower surfaces;
• and
• at least one light-diffusing optical fiber having a glass core, a cladding surrounding the glass core, and a length, the glass core having randomly arranged voids configured to provide substantially spatially continuous light emission from the glass core and out of the cladding and into the transparent sheet along at least a portion of the length, the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber being positioned proximate to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent sheet;
• and
• wherein a length of the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber positioned inside of the perimeter of the transparent sheet is greater than a length of the perimeter wherein the at least one light-diffusing optical fiber comprises a central core region, cladding surrounding the central core region, and a light-scattering layer surrounding the cladding.