OPTICAL FIBER LINEAR LIGHT SOURCE

摘要

An optical fiber (100) is disclosed which emits light radially along its peripheral surface (12). A light extractor provided on the core (1) includes both a reflective light extraction element (2) and a transmissive light extraction element (3) in order to increase the light emission luminance from the optical fiber. the transmission light extraction element is preferably a light extracting film (3) comprising a plurality of integrally formed light transmissive projections (31) closely adhered to the core (1) and through which light is extracted. Gaps (4) between the film (3) and the core (1) are formed by the projections (31). The optical fiber may be used as a linear light source.