Side emitting optical fiber

摘要

An optical fiber that controllably taps and distributes light propagating through an the optical fiber that comprises an optical fiber having multiple regions each having a different index of refraction from one another such that when light traverses the optical fiber along a length it travels from a region of one index of refraction to another region having a different index of refraction the light is sufficiently deflected such that it is distributed out a side of the optical fiber along its length. In a preferred embodiment, at point in the length of the fiber where a change in index of refraction occurs, light traversing the fiber is efficiently diverted out of the optical fiber through the side of the fiber. The light so diverted alternatively is refracted by one or more refractive regions, and alternatively focused by prism films applied to the exit side of the fiber where it may then be put to an advantageous use.