| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for providing illumination are described which is based on a laser source (10) and a side emitting fibre optic cable (12). The laser light source (10) is coupled to the side emitting fibre optic cable (12), the laser light source being of sufficient power to illuminate the cable (12) throughout its length. In a preferred arrangement the illumination apparatus consists of a solid-state laser light (10) source which is energised via a mains supply with a rechargeable battery (16), and which is coupled to a length of side emitting fibre optic cable (12) such that the illumination system is portable and provides a length of illuminated side emitting fibre optic cable (26) several times the length obtained by prior art systems using metal halide illumination. The apparatus includes an arrangement for detecting if the cable is cut and for disconnecting the laser beam to the cable. Embodiments of the invention are described. Thus, this apparatus can be used to provide emergency lighting in stairwells, cinemas, offices, homes, aircraft and the like.</p> |
