JP7270620B2 - Light-diffusing optical fiber for guiding and scattering ultraviolet light - Google Patents

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

119, filed Aug. 30, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/607, filed , 401, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/576,237, filed October 24, 2017, the contents of each of which is relied upon and incorporated by reference therein. is incorporated in its entirety into this application.

The present disclosure relates to light diffusing optical fibers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a light diffusing optical fiber for guiding and scattering ultraviolet light propagating along said light diffusing optical fiber.

According to one embodiment, the light diffusing optical fiber comprises: a first end; a second end opposite said first end; a core; a cladding surrounding said core; or a plurality of scattering structures positioned in both the core and the cladding; and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer surrounding and contacting the cladding. The plurality of scattering structures is configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light scatters the light diffusing light. It diffuses through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the fiber. The core comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material. The cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material. Additionally, the thermoplastic polymer coating layer is doped with a plurality of scattering particles.

In another embodiment, the light diffusing optical fiber comprises: a first end; a second end opposite said first end; a core; a cladding surrounding said core; or a plurality of scattering structures positioned within both the core and the cladding; a primary coating layer surrounding the cladding; and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer, wherein the primary coating layer comprises the cladding and the thermoplastic A thermoplastic polymeric coating layer surrounding the primary coating layer such that it is disposed between the polymeric coating layer. The plurality of scattering structures is configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light scatters the light diffusing light. It diffuses through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the fiber. The core comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material. The cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material. The primary coating layer comprises a cycloaliphatic epoxy having an absorbance of less than or equal to about 0.04 per 100 μm layer thickness at wavelengths greater than or equal to about 250 nm. Additionally, the primary coating layer includes a plurality of scattering particles doped with the cycloaliphatic epoxy.

In yet another embodiment, the light diffusing optical fiber comprises: a first end; a second end opposite said first end; a core; a cladding surrounding said core; a cladding, or a plurality of scattering structures positioned within both the core and the cladding; and a coating layer surrounding the cladding. the plurality of scattering structures configured to scatter the guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber as the guided light propagates along the core; causes a portion of the guided light to diffuse through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber. The core comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material. The cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material. The coating layer is doped with a plurality of scattering particles. Further, when the guided light having a wavelength greater than or equal to about 250 nm propagates along the core and a portion of the guided light diffuses through the outer surface, the light diffusing optical fiber has a wavelength of about 0 .4 or higher scattering efficiency.

Although the concepts of the present disclosure are described herein primarily with reference to light-diffusing optical fibers for guiding and scattering ultraviolet light, these concepts are not applicable to any optical fiber. It is considered to be enjoyed.

The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present disclosure is best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like structures are indicated by like reference numerals.

1 is a schematic diagram of an illumination system comprising a light power divider and a light diffusing optical fiber, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light diffusing optical fiber, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light diffusing optical fiber of FIG. 2A, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a light diffusing optical fiber, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light diffusing optical fiber of FIG. 3A, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a light diffusing optical fiber, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light diffusing optical fiber of FIG. 4A, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; FIG. 4 is a graph of ultraviolet light absorbance for various polymeric materials, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 4 is a graph of ultraviolet light scattering efficiency for various embodiments of light diffusing optical fibers, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 1 is an image of a light diffusive fiber light delivery system, according to one or more embodiments Graph showing efficacy of known light diffusing fibers (thin lines) and light diffusing fibers according to one or more embodiments (thick lines)

Referring now to FIG. 1, illumination system 100 comprises light diffusing optical fiber 110 optically coupled to light output device 102 including light source 152 . The light diffusing optical fiber 110 has a first end 112 and a second end 114 opposite the first end 112 . Cross-sectional views of embodiments of light-diffusing optical fibers are shown in FIGS. 2A-4C. For example, FIGS. 2A and 2B show a cross section of light diffusing optical fiber 110, FIGS. 3A and 3B show a cross section of light diffusing optical fiber 210, and FIGS. 4A and 4B show a cross section of light diffusing optical fiber 310. FIG. The light diffusing optical fibers 110, 210, 310 described herein each include: a core 120, 220, 320; a cladding 122, 222, 322 surrounding the core 120, 220, 320; 120, 220, 320, the cladding 122, 222, 322, or a plurality of scattering structures 125, 225, 325 positioned within both the core 120, 220, 320 and the cladding 122, 222, 322;

As used herein, “outer surface” 128 , 228 , 328 refers to the outermost surface of light diffusing optical fiber 110 , 210 , 310 . 2A and 2B, the outer surface 128 is the surface of the secondary polymeric coating layer 132; in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the outer surface 228 is the surface of the thermoplastic polymeric coating layer 234; and 4B, outer surface 328 is the surface of thermoplastic polymer coating layer 334 . In addition, the plurality of scattering structures 125, 225, 325 may be used to direct the guided light (eg, light output by the light output device 102 propagating along the light diffusing optical fibers 110, 210, 310). of the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 through the outer surface 128. configured to scatter towards 128,228,328. Further, the length of light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 (eg, the length between first end 112 and second end 114) is between about 0.15 m and about 100 m, such as about 100 m. , 75m, 50m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 10m, 9m, 8m, 7m, 6m, 5m, 4m, 3m, 2m, 1m, 0.75m, 0.5m, 0.25m, 0.15m, or 0.5m. It can be 1 m.

As used herein, "diffusing length" is the length from the first end 112 of the light diffusing optical fiber 110 (or from whichever end receives the input light). A length of light diffusing optical fiber 110 that extends to a point along the length of light diffusing optical fiber 110 at which 90% of the guided light is diffused out of light diffusing optical fiber 110 The diffusion length is from about 0.1 m to about 100 m, such as from about 0.2 m to about 100 m, from about 0.25 m to about 100 m, from about 0.3 m to about 100 m, from about 0.35 m to about 100 m, from about 0.3 m to about 100 m. .4m to about 100m, about 0.5m to about 100m, about 0.55m to about 100m, about 0.6m to about 100m, about 0.65m to about 100m, about 0.7m to about 100m, about 0.75m ~ about 100 m, about 0.8 m to about 100 m, about 0.85 m to about 100 m, about 0.9 m to about 100 m, about 1 m to about 100 m, about 2 m to about 100 m, about 3 m to about 100 m, about 4 m to about 100 m, about 5 m to about 100 m, about 10 m to about 100 m, about 20 m to about 100 m, about 30 m to about 100 m, about 40 m to about 100 m, about 50 m to about 100 m, about 0.1 m to about 90 m, about 0.1 m to about 80 m, about 0.1 m to about 70 m, about 0.1 m to about 60 m, about 0.1 m to about 50 m, about 0.1 m to about 40 m, about 0.1 m to about 30 m, about 0.1 m to about 20 m, or from about 0.1 m to about 10 m.As used herein, the term “light-diffusing” means that light scattering is the length of the light-diffusing optical fiber 110. Spatially substantially continuous along at least a portion of the height, meaning that there are substantially no jumps or discontinuities associated with discrete (e.g. point) scattering. The described concept of substantially continuous light emission or substantially continuous light scattering refers to spatial continuity.Furthermore, as used herein, "uniform illumination" refers to , refers to illumination along the length of the light diffusing optical fiber 110 where the intensity of the light emitted from the light diffusing optical fiber 110 does not vary by more than 25% over the specified length. also apply to the light diffusing optical fibers 210, 310 of FIGS. 2A-4B.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the light output device 102 emits light emitted from the light source 152 of the light output device 102 to the end face 116 of the first end 112 of the light diffusing optical fiber 110 to generate light diffusing light. It is optically coupled to a first end 112 of light diffusing optical fiber 110 (or light diffusing optical fiber 210 or 310 in other embodiments) so that it can enter fiber 110 . Light source 152 may comprise a light emitting diode (LED), laser diode, or the like. For example, light source 152 may comprise a multimode laser diode, a single mode laser diode, a SiP laser diode, a VCSEL laser diode, or another type of semiconductor laser diode. Additionally, the light source 152 can be configured to generate light within the wavelength range of 200 nm to 2000 nm.

In some embodiments, the light source 152 can be configured to generate light within the wavelength range of 200 nm to 2000 nm, or can generate light above. For example, the light source 152 has a wavelength of about 200 nm to about 500 nm, about 200 nm to about 500 nm, about 220 nm to about 500 nm, about 240 nm to about 500 nm, about 250 nm to about 500 nm, about 260 nm to about 500 nm, about 280 nm to about 500 nm, about 300 nm to about 500 nm, about 320 nm to about 500 nm, about 340 nm to about 500 nm, about 350 nm to about 500 nm, about 360 nm to about 500 nm, about 380 nm to about 500 nm, about 400 nm to about 500 nm, about 200 nm to about 480 nm, about 200 nm to about 460 nm, about 200 nm to about 450 nm, about 200 nm to about 440 nm, about 200 nm to about 420 nm, about 200 nm to about 410 nm, about 375 nm to about 475 nm, about 380 nm to about 460 nm, about 390 nm to about 450 nm, about 400 nm to about 440 nm , about 400 nm to about 430 nm, about 400 nm to about 420 nm, about 400 nm to about 410 nm, or about 402 nm to about 408 nm. In one or more embodiments, the light source has a wavelength of, for example, about 225 nm, 250 nm, 275 nm, 300 nm, 325 nm, 350 nm, 375 nm, 400 nm, 405 nm, 415 nm, 425 nm, 435 nm, 445 nm, 450 nm, 475 nm, such as from about 300 nm. It can be configured to produce light at about 460 nm or can produce light above. The light output device 102 is further positioned between the light source 152 and the first end 112 of the light diffusing optical fiber 110 to facilitate the input of light into the light diffusing optical fiber 110 and provides optical transmission thereto. Additional optical components, such as lenses, light delivery fibers, etc., may be provided that are optically coupled. Additionally, these additional optical components, such as light delivery fibers, allow the light source 152 to be spatially separated from the light diffusing optical fiber 110 .

In operation, the light source 152 can be positioned remotely from the light diffusing optical fiber 110 because the light emitted by the light source 152 is scattered by the light diffusing optical fiber 110 into the surrounding environment. Thus, any heat generated by light source 152 can be transferred from light source 152 to locations remote from both light source 152 and light diffusing optical fiber 110 . Thus, the temperature of the light diffusing optical fiber 110 can remain substantially the same as the ambient temperature of the surrounding environment, and the lighting unit can be described as a thermally "cool" lighting unit. Additionally, spatially separating the light diffusing optical fiber 110 and the light source 152 may provide additional design flexibility to the illumination system 100 .

2A-4B, each light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 is configured such that, in particular, the guided light propagating along the length of the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 is a UV light. It is configured to induce scattering through the outer surfaces 128, 228, 328 with high scattering efficiency when having wavelengths in a range (eg, about 200 nm to about 500 nm). As used herein, "scattering efficiency" is the scattering efficiency from the core 120, 220, 320 of the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 outward toward the outer surface 128, 228, 328. Refers to the percentage of scattered light that actually exits the outer surface 128, 228, 328 without suffering absorption, blocking, or other loss. While not intending to be bound by theory, a percentage of the light scattered from the core 120, 220, 320 passes through the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 surrounding the cladding 122, 222, 322. It can be absorbed by one or more additional layers. However, the light diffusing optical fibers 110, 210, 310 described herein limit absorption of UV light scattered through the outer surface 128, 228, 328 to promote high scattering efficiency at UV wavelengths.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2A-4B, the core 120, 220, 320 and cladding 122, 222, 322 of each light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 are made of glass, such as silica glass doped with a hydroxyl material (eg, hydroxyl doped glass core and hydroxyl doped glass cladding). As used herein, "hydroxyl doped" refers to glasses containing 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material, such as hydroxyl ions (OH), excess oxygen (which may be added to the glass), and the like. While not intending to be bound by theory, doping the core 120, 220, 320 and cladding 122, 222, 322 with a hydroxyl material can be advantageous at UV wavelengths. Glass cores and claddings with low hydroxyl content (e.g., hydroxyl content less than 300 ppm) have increased transmission at relatively high wavelengths (e.g., wavelengths in the visible, near-infrared (NIR), and infrared ranges). However, it also suffers from increased absorption losses at wavelengths in the UV range, as reducing the hydroxyl content in the glass increases the number and/or size of oxygen defect centers in the glass. As used herein, "oxygen deficiency center" refers to the formation of broken bonds in silica with oxygen vacancies. While not intending to be bound by theory, oxygen defect centers in cores 120, 220, 320 and claddings 122, 222, 322 absorb light having wavelengths in the UV range, thereby , 220, 320 and the cladding 122, 222, 322 darkened and scattered outwardly from the core 120, 220, 320 by the scattering structures 125, 225, 325, the light diffusing optical fibers 110, 210, The percentage of diffusion through the outer surface 128, 228, 328 of 310 is reduced. While not intending to be bound by theory, different "color centers" may grow in fused silica under UV radiation. The cause of color centers can be related to the ionization of fused silica. Again, without intending to be bound by theory, the color center can react with OH to form a stable non-absorbing species. In some embodiments, the light diffusing optical fibers 110, 210, 310 may be hydroxyl doped by loading hydrogen into the silica of the light diffusing optical fibers 110, 210, 310 at high pressure and temperature.

Additionally, while not intending to be bound by theory, some polymeric materials, such as some UV curable polymers, are highly absorbent of UV light. Therefore, it is advantageous to limit the number and thickness of the polymer layers of the light diffusing optical fibers 110, 210, 310 and use polymer layers with limited absorption of UV light. For example, in each of the embodiments shown in Figures 2A-4B, the cladding 122, 222, 322 comprises glass (eg, hydroxyl-doped glass). Additionally, each embodiment of the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 described herein includes at least one polymer layer surrounding the cladding 122, 222, 322, as described in further detail below. , each of these polymers has a low absorption of UV light.

2A and 2B, a cross-section of light diffusing optical fiber 110 comprising core 120, cladding 122 surrounding core 120, outer surface 128, and a plurality of scattering structures 125 is shown. Core 120 includes a glass core (eg, silica) doped with a hydroxyl material (eg, silica containing about 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material). The cladding 122 is a glass cladding (eg, F-doped silica or F(fluorine)/B(boron) co-doped silica having a refractive index lower than that of the core 120) doped with a hydroxyl material (eg, comprising about 300 ppm or more hydroxyl material). F-doped silica or F (fluorine)/B (boron) co-doped silica). Light diffusing optical fiber 110 further comprises a primary polymer coating 130 surrounding cladding 122 and a secondary polymer coating layer 132 surrounding primary polymer coating 130 .

With continued reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the scattering structures 125 may be present throughout the core 120 (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) or at the interface between the core 120 and the cladding 122 (e.g., core- cladding boundary) or as an annular ring within the core 120 . Scattering structures 125 may comprise gas-filled cavities, scattering particles such as ceramic materials, dopants, and the like. A light diffusing optical fiber having cavities randomly arranged and sized (also called a "random air line" or "nanostructure" or "nano-sized structure"). Some examples are U.S. Pat. No. 7,450,806, and U.S. Pub. , which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Alternatively, the light diffusing optical fiber 110 may have a "roughened" core 120, where irregularities on the surface of the core 120 at the core-cladding boundary cause light scattering. Other types of light diffusing optical fibers are also available. In operation, the light diffusing optical fiber 110 is induced by scattering of about 50 dB/km or more, such as about 100 dB/km to about 60000 dB/km, at the illumination wavelength (eg, one or more wavelengths of emitted radiation). attenuation (ie, attenuation due to loss of light through the outer surface 128 of the diffusive optical fiber 110 rather than due to absorption of scattering particles within the diffusive optical fiber 110).

In embodiments in which the scattering structure 125 comprises gas-filled cavities, the gas-filled cavities may be arranged in a random or organized pattern to provide light diffusive light. It may extend parallel to the length of the fiber 110, or it may be helical (ie, rotating along the longitudinal axis of the light diffusing optical fiber 110). Further, the light diffusing optical fiber 110 may comprise a large number of gas-filled cavities in the cross-section of the fiber, eg, greater than 50, greater than 100, or greater than 200 cavities. These gas-filled cavities may contain, for example, _SO2 , Kr, Ar, _CO2 , _N2 , _O2 , or mixtures thereof. However, regardless of the presence or absence of any gas, the average refractive index of the region of the core 120, cladding 122, or core-clad boundary comprising multiple scattering structures 125 is reduced by the presence of voids. . Further, a plurality of scattering structures 125, such as cavities, can be randomly or non-periodically positioned within the core 120, cladding 122, or core-clad boundaries, although in other embodiments the cavities are They may be arranged periodically.

The cross-sectional size (eg, diameter) of the cavities (or other scattering particles), such as gas-filled cavities, can be from about 10 nm to about 10 μm, and the length can vary from about 1 μm to about 50 m. obtain. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional size of the voids (or other scattering particles) is about 10 nm, 20 nm, 30 nm, 40 nm, 50 nm, 60 nm, 70 nm, 80 nm, 90 nm, 100 nm, 120 nm, 140 nm, 160 nm, 180 nm. , 200 nm, 250 nm, 300 nm, 400 nm, 500 nm, 600 nm, 700 nm, 800 nm, 1 μm, 2 μm, 3 μm, 4 μm, 5 μm, 6 μm, 7 μm, 8 μm, 9 μm, or 10 μm. In some embodiments, the void length is about 1 μm, 2 μm, 3 μm, 4 μm, 5 μm, 6 μm, 7 μm, 8 μm, 9 μm, 10 μm, 20 μm, 30 μm, 40 μm, 50 μm, 60 μm, 70 μm, 80 μm, 90 μm. , 100 μm, 200 μm, 300 μm, 400 μm, 500 μm, 600 μm, 700 μm, 800 μm, 900 μm, 1000 μm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 50 mm, 100 mm, 500 mm, 1 m, 5 m, 10 m, 20 m, or 50 m.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, primary polymer coating 130 may comprise a substantially transparent layer, eg, a polymer coating, surrounding core 120 and cladding 122 to facilitate mechanical handling. Additionally, secondary polymer coating layer 132 can be positioned to surround core 120 , cladding 122 , and primary polymer coating 130 . The secondary polymer coating layer 132 functions as a scattering layer and comprises a base material (eg polymer) and a plurality of scattering particles 135 positioned in the base material. In operation, secondary polymer coating layer 132 can promote uniform angular scattering over a large angular range (eg, 40-120°, or 30-130°, or 15-150°). For example, the light diffusing optical fiber 110 is configured to provide substantially uniform illumination by scattering such that for all viewing angles from 40 to 120°, the difference between the minimum scattered illumination intensity and the maximum scattered illumination intensity is is less than 50% of the maximum scattered illumination intensity.

Scattering particles 135 have a refractive index difference greater than 0.05 (eg, the base material and each scattering the refractive index difference between particles 135 is greater than 0.05). In some embodiments, such refractive index difference between the base material and each scattering particle 135 is at least 0.1. That is, the refractive index of each scattering particle 135 may be at least 0.1 greater than the refractive index of the base material (eg, polymer or other matrix material) of the secondary polymeric coating layer 132 . Further, to limit the absorption of UV light across secondary polymer coating layer 132, scattering particles 135 comprise a material that has low absorption of UV light (eg, a low absorption scattering material). Exemplary low-absorbing scattering materials having a higher refractive index than the base material (eg, greater than about 1.5) include aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), with a refractive index of about 1.77; Barium sulfate (BaSO ₄ ), gas cavities such as microbubbles with a refractive index of about 1, and the like are included. Further, in some embodiments, scattering particles 135 may alternatively or additionally include gas voids or microbubbles.

Further, the cross-sectional size of each scattering particle 135 within the secondary polymer coating layer 132 may be between 0.1λ and 10λ, where λ is the wavelength of light propagating through the light diffusing optical fiber 110. be. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional size of each scattering particle 135 is greater than 0.2λ and less than 5λ, such as between 0.5λ and 2λ. For example, each scattering particle has a cross-sectional size of about 20 nm to about 5 μm, such as about 50 nm, 75 nm, 100 nm, 150 nm, 200 nm, 350 nm, 400 nm, 450 nm, 500 nm, 550 nm, 600 nm, 650 nm, 700 nm, 750 nm, 800 nm, 850 nm. , 900 nm, 950 nm, 1 μm, 1.1 μm, 1.2 μm, 1.3 μm, 1.4 μm, 1.5 μm, 1.6 μm, 1.7 μm, 1.8 μm, 1.9 μm, 2 μm, 2.1 μm, 2 .2 μm, 2.3 μm, 2.4 μm, 2.5 μm, 2.6 μm, 2.7 μm, 2.8 μm, 2.9 μm, 3 μm, 3.1 μm, 3.2 μm, 3.3 μm, 3.4 μm, 3 .5 μm, 3.6 μm, 3.7 μm, 3.8 μm, 3.9 μm, 4 μm, 4.1 μm, 4.2 μm, 4.3 μm, 4.4 μm, 4.5 μm, 4.6 μm, 4.7 μm, 4 .8 μm, 4.9 μm, etc. Further, the scattering particles 135 in the secondary polymer coating layer 132 are about 0.005 wt% to 70 wt%, such as 0.01 wt% to 60 wt%, 0.02 wt% of the secondary polymer coating layer 132. It may comprise up to 50% by weight or the like.

In some embodiments, a plurality of scattering particles 135 may be disposed in sublayers of secondary polymer coating layer 132 . For example, in some embodiments, the thickness of the sublayer can be from about 1 μm to about 5 μm. In other embodiments, the thickness of this particle sublayer and/or the concentration of scattering particles 135 in the secondary polymer coating layer 132 are varied along the axial length of the light diffusing optical fiber 110. This allows more uniform variations in the intensity of light scattered from the light diffusing optical fiber 110 at large angles (ie, angles greater than about 15°). For example, the angular illumination for all viewing angles from 40-120° is within 50% of maximum illumination, and in some embodiments within 30%. In some embodiments, the angular illumination for all viewing angles from 40-120° is within 30% of maximum illumination, and in some embodiments within 25%.

3A and 3B, a light diffusing light comprising a core 220, a cladding 222 surrounding the core 220, a scattering structure 225, and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 surrounding and contacting the cladding 222. A cross-sectional view of fiber 210 is shown. Core 220 includes a glass core (eg, silica) doped with a hydroxyl material (eg, silica containing about 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material). The cladding 222 is a glass cladding (eg, F-doped silica or F(fluorine)/B(boron) co-doped silica having a refractive index lower than that of the core 220) doped with a hydroxyl material (eg, comprises about 300 ppm or more hydroxyl material). doped silica or F (fluorine)/B (boron) co-doped silica). Scattering structures 225 may be present throughout core 220 (as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) or may be present near the interface between core 220 and cladding 222 (eg, core-cladding boundary). , or may reside as an annular ring within core 220 . The scattering structures 225 may include any of the scattering structures 125 described above with respect to the light diffusing optical fiber 110, such as gas-filled cavities, scattering particles such as ceramic materials, dopants, and the like.

The thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 may be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) such as Teflon™, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) such as Tefzel™, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). , perfluoroalkylalkanes (PFA), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), nylon, and any other extrudable fluorinated polymer. Thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 has low absorbance of UV light (as described in more detail below with respect to graph 50 of FIG. 5) and is a hard plastic material that surrounds core 220 and cladding 222 to provide protection. Provide a coating layer. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 is in direct contact with cladding 222 , so no intervening layer is positioned between cladding 222 and thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 . The intervening layers limit the amount of UV light scattered outwardly from core 220 toward outer surface 228 that is absorbed, blocked, or otherwise prevented from exiting outer surface 228 .

Further, scattering particles 235 are disposed in a thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Scattering particles 235 disposed in thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 may include any of scattering particles 135 described above with respect to light diffusing optical fiber 110 . The refractive index of thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 may be from about 1.30 to about 1.35. Scattering particles 235 are low absorption scattering materials having a refractive index higher than that of thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234, such as _Al2O3 with a refractive index of about _1.77 , BaSO with a refractive index of about 1.636. ₄ , silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), which has a refractive index of about 1.46, and the like. It should be noted that materials that cannot be used as scattering particles 135 may be used as scattering particles 235 because thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 has a lower refractive index than secondary polymer coating layer 132 . In particular, SiO ₂ may be used as a material for the scattering particles 235, since SiO ₂ is transparent to light with wavelengths of about 200 nm and above, thus reducing the absorption loss caused by the scattering particles 235 in the UV range. It is advantageous because it reduces Further, in some embodiments, scattering particles 235 may alternatively or additionally include gas voids or microbubbles.

In some embodiments, thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 may be applied directly to cladding 222 of light diffusing optical fiber 210 during the fiber draw process. For example, without intending to be bound by theory, core 220 and cladding 222 may be formed from an optical fiber preform using a draw furnace to heat the optical fiber preform and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 to diffuse light. It can be drawn through a fiber coating unit that is applied to the cladding 222 of the optical fiber 210 . Further, after application of the thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234, the light diffusing optical fiber 210 reaches a fiber recovery unit, which may include one or more draw mechanisms and tensioning pulleys, thereby , tension may be applied to the light diffusing optical fiber 210 to facilitate winding the light diffusing optical fiber 210 onto the fiber storage spool.

By applying a thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 before the light diffusive optical fiber 210 reaches the fiber collection unit during the draw process, contact between the cladding 222 and the fiber collection unit is prevented from contacting one or more draw mechanisms. This prevents damage to the cladding 222 glass. However, in other embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 is applied to the light diffusing optical fiber 210 after drawing the light diffusing optical fiber 210 using off-draw equipment, such as conventional extrusion equipment. Thus, in embodiments where the thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 is applied after the draw process, the coating should be applied during the draw process to prevent damage to the glass of the cladding 222 caused by the draw mechanism and tensioning pulleys of the fiber recovery unit. It is desirable to apply a layer over the cladding 222 . An exemplary light diffusing optical fiber having a polymer layer between the cladding and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer is light diffusing optical fiber 310 described below.

4A and 4B, a core 320, a cladding 322 surrounding the core 320, a scattering structure 325, a primary coating layer 330 surrounding the cladding 322, and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer 334, wherein the primary coating layer 330 A cross-sectional view of a light diffusing optical fiber 310 is shown comprising a thermoplastic polymer coating layer 334 surrounding the primary coating layer 330 such that a is located between the cladding 322 and the thermoplastic polymer coating layer 334 . Core 320 includes a glass core (eg, silica) doped with a hydroxyl material (eg, silica containing about 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material). The cladding 322 is a glass cladding (e.g., F-doped silica or F(fluorine)/B(boron) co-doped silica having a refractive index lower than that of the core 320) doped with a hydroxyl material (e.g., includes about 300 ppm or more hydroxyl material). doped silica or F (fluorine)/B (boron) co-doped silica). Scattering structures 325 may be present throughout core 320 (as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B) or may be present near the interface between core 320 and cladding 322 (eg, core-cladding boundary). , or may reside as an annular ring within core 320 . The scattering structures 325 may include any of the scattering structures 125 described above with respect to the light diffusing optical fiber 110, such as gas-filled cavities, scattering particles such as ceramic materials, dopants, and the like.

Thermoplastic polymer coating layer 334 may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) such as Teflon, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) such as Tefzel, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkylalkanes ( PFA), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), nylon, and any other extrudable fluorinated polymer, the thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 may comprise any of the fluoropolymer materials. Thermoplastic polymer coating layer 334 is a hard plastic material with low absorbance of UV light, which provides a protective coating layer surrounding core 320 , cladding 322 , and primary coating layer 330 .

Primary coating layer 330 includes a UV curable coating layer such as a cycloaliphatic epoxy. Although cycloaliphatic epoxies are UV curable, the photoinitiators used to cure cycloaliphatic epoxies are UV absorbing but are removed after the cycloaliphatic epoxies are cured, for example by bleaching the cycloaliphatic epoxies. It is possible, and the resulting cured cycloaliphatic epoxy has a low absorbance of UV light, as described in more detail below with respect to graph 50 of FIG. In some embodiments, the photoinitiator comprises (p-isopropylphenyl)(p-methylphenyl)iodotetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate. Further, the thickness of primary coating layer 330 may be from about 5 μm to about 20 μm, such as from about 10 μm to about 15 μm. A thin primary coating layer 330 can be advantageous because some UV can still be absorbed in the primary coating layer 330, and thinner layers minimize this absorption.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, primary coating layer 330 is doped with a plurality of scattering particles 335 that may include any of scattering particles 135 described above with respect to light diffusing optical fiber 110 . For example, the scattering particles 335 may be a low-absorbing scattering material having a higher refractive index than the cycloaliphatic epoxy (refractive index of about 1.41) of the primary coating layer 330, such as: _Al2O with a refractive index of about 1.77. ₃ ; BaSO ₄ with a refractive index of about 1.636; polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) such as Teflon, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) such as Tefzel, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), It may include particles made from thermoplastic polymers such as fluoroalkylalkanes (PFA), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), nylon, and any other fluorinated polymer. Further, in some embodiments, scattering particles 335 may alternatively or additionally include gas voids or microbubbles. Further, while FIGS. 4A and 4B show a plurality of scattering particles 335 disposed within the primary coating layer 330, the plurality of scattering particles 335 may alternatively or additionally be disposed within the thermoplastic polymer coating layer 334. It can also be placed inside.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2B, 3B, and 4B, in operation, unscattered guided light (eg, UV light output by light source 152 of light output device 102) is directed to light diffusing optical fibers 110, 210. , 310 in the direction indicated by arrow 10 . Scattered light is shown exiting the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 in the direction indicated by arrow 12 at a scattering angle θ _S that propagates along the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310. is the angular difference between the direction of propagation of guided light 10 and the direction of scattered light 12 as it exits the light diffusing optical fiber 110 . In some embodiments, the intensity of the spectrum when the scattering angle θ _S is between 15° and 150°, or between 30° and 130°, is ±50%, ±30%, ± Within 25%, ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, or ±5%. In some embodiments, the intensity of the spectrum when the scattering angle θ _S is all angles between 30° and 130°, or between 40° and 120°, is at least within ±50% when measured at the peak wavelength. , for example ±30%, ±25%, ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, or ±5%. Accordingly, each light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 is configured to provide substantially uniform illumination by scattering such that for all viewing angles from 40 to 110°, for example from 40 to 120°. For viewing angles, the difference between the minimum scattered illumination intensity and the maximum scattered illumination intensity is less than 50% of the maximum scattered illumination intensity. According to some embodiments, the difference between the minimum scattered illumination intensity and the maximum scattered illumination intensity is 30% or less of the maximum scattered illumination intensity.

Referring again to FIGS. 2A-4B, each light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 may have a scattering-induced attenuation loss greater than about 0.2 dB/m at a wavelength of 550 nm. For example, in some embodiments, scattering-induced attenuation loss (attenuation loss due to scattering structures 125, 225, 325, such as air lines) is about 0.5 dB/m, 0.6 dB/m at 550 nm. m, 0.7 dB/m, 0.8 dB/m, 0.9 dB/m, 1 dB/m, 1.2 dB/m, 1.4 dB/m, 1.6 dB/m, 1.8 dB/m, 2. 0 dB/m, 2.5 dB/m, 3.0 dB/m, 3.5 dB/m or 4 dB/m, 5 dB/m, 6 dB/m, 7 dB/m, 8 dB/m, 9 dB/m, 10 dB/m , 20 dB/m, 30 dB/m, 40 dB/m, or 50 dB/m. In some embodiments, the average scattering loss of the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 is greater than 50 dB/km, and the scattering loss over any given fiber segment of the light diffusing optical fiber 110 is: Does not vary by more than 20% (ie, the scattering loss is within ±20% of the average scattering loss, such as within ±15%, or within ±10%). In some embodiments, the light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 has an average scattering loss greater than 50 dB/km, and the scattering loss ranges from about 0.2 m to about 50 m, such as 0.5 m, 1 m, 2 m , 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 25 m, 30 m, 35 m, 40 m, 45 m, etc. of the light diffusing optical fiber 110 does not vary by more than 20% (i.e., the scattering loss is within ±20% of the average scattering loss, such as within ±15%, or within ±10%).

Referring now to FIG. 5, graph 50 shows the absorbance of UV light between 200 nm and 400 nm in a sample material layer approximately 100 μm thick. One sample material layer is about 100 μm thick cycloaliphatic epoxy, such as the cycloaliphatic epoxy of primary coating layer 330 of light diffusive optical fiber 310 , represented by line 52 . Another sample material layer about 100 μm thick is PTFE, such as thermoplastic polymer coating layer 234 of light diffusing optical fiber 210 and thermoplastic polymer coating layer 334 of light diffusing optical fiber 310 , which is shown at wire 54 . is represented. As line 52 shows, the cycloaliphatic epoxy has a thickness per 100 μm thickness of about 0.0005 at 400 nm, about 0.001 at 375 nm, about 0.002 at 350 nm, about 0.004 at 325 nm, and about 0.004 at 300 nm. 012, about 0.025 at 275 nm, and about 0.035 at 250 nm. Further, as line 54 shows, PTFE has a thickness of about 0.003 at 400 nm, about 0.004 at 375 nm, about 0.006 at 350 nm, about 0.008 at 325 nm, and about 0.008 at 300 nm per 100 microns of thickness. 01, about 0.013 at 275 nm, about 0.0175 at 250 nm, about 0.024 at 225 nm, and about 0.032 at 200 nm.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the cycloaliphatic epoxy (line 52) has an absorbance of less than or equal to about 0.01 per 100 μm thickness for light with wavelengths greater than or equal to about 310 nm. The cycloaliphatic epoxy (line 52) has an absorbance of about 0.02 or less per 100 μm thickness for light with wavelengths greater than or equal to about 250 nm. The cycloaliphatic epoxy (line 52) has an absorbance of about 0.03 or less per 100 μm thickness for light with wavelengths greater than or equal to about 270 nm. Additionally, the cycloaliphatic epoxy (line 52) has an absorbance of less than or equal to about 0.04 per 100 μm thickness for light with wavelengths greater than or equal to about 245 nm. PTFE (line 54) has an absorbance of less than or equal to about 0.01 per 100 μm thickness for light with wavelengths greater than or equal to about 300 nm. PTFE (line 54) has an absorbance of less than or equal to about 0.02 per 100 μm thickness for light with wavelengths greater than or equal to about 240 nm. Additionally, PTFE (line 54) has an absorbance of less than or equal to about 0.03 per 100 μm thickness for light with wavelengths greater than or equal to about 205 nm.

Referring now to FIG. 6, graph 70 illustrates the scattering efficiency of various light diffusing optical fiber embodiments for light with wavelengths between about 300 nm and about 500 nm. As noted above, "scattering efficiency" is the absorption, blocking, or the percentage that actually exits the outer surface 128, 228, 328 without incurring any other loss. In FIG. 6, line 72 indicates a conventional embodiment of light diffusing optical fiber, line 74 indicates light diffusing optical fiber 110, line 76 indicates light diffusing optical fiber 210, and line 78 indicates light diffusing optical fiber. optical fiber 310 is shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the light diffusing optical fibers 110, 210, 310 described herein have a higher UV light scattering efficiency than conventional light diffusing optical fibers.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, line 74 indicates that light diffusing optical fiber 110 has a scattering efficiency of about 0.1 or greater for light with wavelengths of about 350 nm or greater, and a scattering efficiency of about 0.4 for light with wavelengths of about 375 nm or greater. , a scattering efficiency of about 0.6 or greater for light with a wavelength of about 400 nm or greater, and a scattering efficiency of about 0.8 or greater for light with a wavelength of about 425 nm or greater. Line 76 indicates that light diffusing optical fiber 210 has a scattering efficiency of about 0.5 or greater for light with wavelengths of about 300 nm or greater, a scattering efficiency of about 0.65 or greater for light with wavelengths of about 325 nm or greater, and a scattering efficiency of about 350 nm. a scattering efficiency of about 0.75 or greater for light with wavelengths of about 375 nm or greater, and a scattering efficiency of about 0.8 or greater for light with wavelengths of about 400 nm or greater; It shows that it has a scattering efficiency. Further, although not shown in FIG. 6, the light diffusing optical fiber 210 has a scattering efficiency of about 0.4 or greater, such as a scattering efficiency of about 0.5 or greater, for light having a wavelength of about 250 nm or greater. Further, line 78 indicates that light diffusing optical fiber 310 has a scattering efficiency of about 0.3 or greater for light with wavelengths of about 350 nm or greater, a scattering efficiency of about 0.6 or greater for light with wavelengths of about 375 nm or greater, It exhibits a scattering efficiency of about 0.8 or greater for light with a wavelength of about 400 nm or greater, and a scattering efficiency of about 0.9 or greater for light with a wavelength of about 425 nm or greater.

All organisms used in the examples below are listed in Table 1. Well-characterized laboratory strains were used when available. Otherwise, clinical isolates were obtained from the Strong Memorial Hospital Clinical Microbiology Laboratory (Rochester, NY). S. aureus strain UAMS-1112 is a stable, small colony variant of generic laboratory 8325-4 harboring a hemB disruption. Unless otherwise noted, bacteria were grown for 16 hours in Mueller-Hinton (MH) medium (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ) at 37° C. on a rotary shaker at 225 rpm. , after serial dilution in 0.9% saline, and processed as described below: Candida albicans cultures were grown in Yeast Extract-Peptone-Dextrose (YPD) medium. It was grown overnight and processed.

All assays were performed using light diffusing fibers (Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY) with an (outer) diameter of 230 μm and a diffusion length of 22 cm. As shown in FIG. 7A, the end of the fiber was exposed to a 750 mW, 405 nm laser using a FC/PC-FC/PC patch cable (Thorlabs, Newton, NJ) with a NA of 0.22 and a core size of 105 μm. (World Star Technologies, Ontario, Canada). The light diffusing fibers were placed in 1 mm by 1 mm grooves on a sheet of polytetrafluoroethylene to increase reflection and stabilize the fiber configuration over multiple experiments. Microorganisms in 96-well microtiter plates, colonizing agar, or abiotic surfaces were positioned approximately 1 cm directly above the illumination path of the fiber and subjected to 405 nm illumination to achieve the indicated light dose.

Light Diffusion Fiber Treatment of Bacteria Inoculated onto Agar Plate Surface Bacteria were either spotted (20 μl volume) or directly spread (100 μl volume) onto MH agar plates, final concentration 1× per plate. 10 ⁴ to 1×10 ⁸ cells. After drying, the plate was inverted and the surface was positioned within 1 cm of the light delivery or illumination path of the light diffusing fibers. Plates were treated ^for 2-6 hours at fluence rates of 5-25 mW/cm ² . Fluence rates were measured at the beginning of each test using an ILT 1400 Photometer and XSL340A detector (International Light Technologies, Peabody, MA). The fluence (radiant energy in Joules/cm ² ) was calculated using the formula: fluence = (X)(Y)(3.6) J/cm ² . where X is the power density in mW/cm ² and Y is the exposure time in hours. After treatment, plates were incubated at 37° C. for 16 hours to determine colony forming units (CFU). Antimicrobial efficacy was determined by comparing cell viability of each treatment regimen to mock-treated (light-shielded) cells. All organisms were evaluated a total of three times on separate days.

Light Diffusion Fiber Treatment of Bacteria Cultured in Liquid Medium To estimate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test parameters, approximately 5×10 ⁴ of the indicated bacterial strains were added to 190 μl of MH. Cultures were inoculated into 96-well round-bottom polyethylene microtiter plates (Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY) containing media. Cell suspensions were then treated with 5-25 mW/cm ² for 2-6 hours ^. After treatment, aliquots of cells were removed, serially diluted in 0.9% saline, plated and CFU counted. Antimicrobial efficacy was determined by comparing the number of CFUs of each treatment with mock-treated (light-shielded) cells. All organisms were evaluated at least three times on separate days.

Cytotoxicity Test Human Colon 38 cells were grown in McCoy's 5A medium in 24-well plates to 50% and 100% confluence. Half of the plate was shielded from light and the other half was treated with 5 mW/cm ² , 10 mW/cm ² , 25 mW/cm ² or 50 mW/cm ² for 4 hours. After treatment, cells were stained by adding 0.1 volume of Alamar Blue solution (Invitrogen, Eugene, Oreg.) and incubated at 37° C. (protected from light) for 4 hours. To measure cell viability, 100 μl aliquots were transferred to 96-well plates and read by a plate reader at fluorescence excitation wavelength 540-570 nm (peak excitation: 570 nm) and fluorescence emission 580-610 nm (peak emission: 585 nm). rice field. Each condition was tested four times.

S. cerevisiae on abiotic surfaces. aureus, A. baumannii, and P. aeruginosa Light Diffusion Fiber Treatment Approximately 1×10 ⁶ to 1×10 ⁸ CFU of the indicated organisms in 20 μl of 0.9% saline were treated with fabric (Ameripride Services, Minnetonka, Minn.), silicone rubber. , polypropylene (Nuc96 well), and ceramic tiles (Lowes, Mooresville, NC), approximately 1 cm ² in area. Each material was placed in a 24-well culture plate and dried at 37° C. for 24-48 hours. Colonized surfaces were treated with 5 mW/cm ² , 10 mW/cm ² , or 25 mW/cm ² for a total of 2, 4, or 6 hours. Bacteria were recovered from treated surfaces by vigorous pipetting with 1 mL of 0.9% saline, serially diluted, and recoverable CFU counted by plating. The antimicrobial efficacy of each treatment regimen was determined by comparing cell viability of each treatment to mock-treated cells. In addition, two methods were used in parallel to ensure total viable bacterial recovery from each surface. First, 0.25 ml of 0.9% saline was added and the test surface was physically scraped off with a spatula and transferred to a 96-well microtiter plate with an excitation wavelength of 485 nm and an emission wavelength of 530 nm (SYTO9 LIVE/DEAD staining (Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, Oreg.) at 630 nm (propidium iodide; red) was used to determine the percentage of non-viable/viable organisms remaining. Second, the inoculated test surfaces were transferred to fresh culture medium after treatment and incubated for 16 hours at 37° C. on an orbital shaker to measure the optical density (OD600 _nm ). For each abiotic material, organisms were evaluated a total of three times on separate days.

Results The light diffusing fibers (according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure) used in these studies were developed to maximize 405 nm light emission and antimicrobial potential. The fiber consists of a 115 μm pure silica glass core with gas-filled cavities 0.05-0.3 μm in diameter randomly distributed throughout the core to enhance light scattering. be. The core of the fiber is a 25 μm thick fluorine-doped (F-doped) silica and a 40 μm cycloaliphatic polymer double cladding with ~0.1 μm diameter alumina particles, both of which are light scattering. (data not shown), the outer surface of the light diffusing fiber is coated with ~70 μm fluorinated polymer (perfluoroalkoxy, PFA ) is coated. Integrating sphere test measurements of total light scattering over multiple emission wavelengths show that the light delivery or illumination efficiency of the light diffusing fiber is improved compared to conventional visible light diffusing fiber (thin line), reaching 90% at wavelengths >400 nm. (Fig. 7B), suggesting that this light diffusing fiber could be ideal for the delivery of antibacterial 405 nm light.

Light Diffusing Fiber 405 nm Light Delivery or Illumination System Exhibits Antimicrobial Activity Against ESKAPE and Other Pathogens 405 nm light (133 J/cm ² ) delivered by LEDs was used to detect S. cerevisiae seeded on agar plates. aureus and P. It has been shown to effectively reduce the growth of both S. aeruginosa by 6-log ₁₀ and 5.2-log ₁₀ , respectively. Therefore, as an initial assessment of whether a light diffusing fiber light delivery or illumination system efficiently delivered 405 nm light approximating the antibacterial effect of 405 nm exposure of LEDs, 1×10 ⁶ CFU of exponentially growing S.M. aureus strain UAMS-1 or P. S. aeruginosa strain PA01 was spread on the surface of Mueller-Hinton (MH) agar plates. Half of the plate was shielded from light exposure and the other half was exposed to 10 mW/cm ² of 405 nm light (fluence = 216 J/cm ² ) for a total of 6 hours, then incubated overnight to score bacterial growth. ringed. As shown in FIG. 7B (left), the 405 nm light delivery of the light diffusive fiber is similar to that of the illuminated S.I. aureus cell growth, but there was no discernible inhibition of the growth of shaded cells. A similar antibacterial effect was demonstrated with 10 ⁶ CFU of S. We also observed a study in which aureus were plated in spots (20 μl) in the light-exposed field, which provides an efficient means of performing repeated light-exposure tests on a single Petri dish (Fig. 7B; right ). P. A parallel study of S. aeruginosa cells revealed that this organism was similarly susceptible to the antibacterial effects of 405 nm light delivery of light diffusive fibers (data not shown). Together these results suggest that 405 nm light delivered by a light diffusive fiber illumination system can produce an effective antimicrobial dose that approaches that of direct light exposure of LEDs.

To further explore the antimicrobial potential of light diffusive fiber light delivery or illumination systems, the study was extended to provide higher resolution measurements of the performance of such systems. 10 ⁴ , 10 ⁶ and 10 ⁸ S.E. aureus or P. aeruginosa cells were tested at various light intensities (5, 10, or 25 mW/cm ² ) and exposure times (2, 4, or 6 hours). Each experiment was repeated at least three times and the number of cells reproducibly and completely inhibited by each experimental condition was recorded (Table 2). The results revealed that light diffusive fiber delivery of 405 nm light induced dose-dependent antimicrobial effects on both tested organisms. S. For aureus, treatment with 25 mW/cm ² (180 J/m ² ) for 2 hours inhibited the growth of 10 ⁴ CFU, while treatment at the same fluence rate for 4 and 6 hours inhibited the growth of 10 ⁶ cells. inhibited the growth of Treatment with 10 mW/cm ² for 2 hours showed no antimicrobial activity against this organism, while treatment for 4 hours (144 J/m ² ) and 6 hours (216 J/m ² ) showed 10 4 CFU and 10 ⁴ CFU, respectively. It inhibited the growth of 10 ⁶ CFU. S. Treatment with 5 mW/cm ² against aureus showed no detectable antibacterial activity at 2 or 4 hours of exposure, whereas treatment for 6 hours (108 J/m ² ) reduced growth of <10 ⁴ cells. bottom. S. compared to P. aureus. aeruginosa showed high sensitivity to 405 nm light, treatment with 5 (36 J/m ² ), 10 (72 J/m ² ) and 25 mW/cm ² (108 J/m ² ) for 2 h resulted in 10 ⁴ , 10 ⁶ , and ≧10 ⁶ P.S. inhibited the growth of S. aeruginosa cells. From these studies, the inventors concluded that a light diffusive fiber illumination system can provide antimicrobial efficacy with comparable potency to standard LED systems.

Based on the performance of the system against these two organisms, the study was extended to include the remaining members of the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterobacter cloacae) and Streptococcus pyogenes, E. scherichia coli, and the fungus Candida albicans We evaluated the antimicrobial performance of this system against other microorganisms of pressing health concern, including The results revealed that delivery of 405 nm light by light diffusing fibers dose-dependently inhibited the growth of each organism (Table 2). For example, E.V. for 2, 4 or 6 hours at 25 mW/cm ² . treatment of E. coli resulted in CFU reductions of ≦10 ⁴ , 10 ⁵ , and 10 ⁶ , respectively, and treatment with 10 and 5 mW/cm ² for 6 hours resulted in reductions of 10 ⁵ and 10 ⁴ CFUs, respectively. . Similar dose-dependent antimicrobial activity was observed for all other organisms evaluated, although the degree of performance of the system differed depending on the microbial species. Streptococcus pyogenes appeared to be the most susceptible. , as all doses uniformly produced an approximately 8-log reduction in inoculum. Furthermore, as previously published reports, E. faecium appeared to be the most tolerant organism to 405 nm among those tested, showing a 4-log decrease in cell viability only at the highest dose condition (25 mW for 6 hours; 540 J/cm ² ). rice field. However, at relatively low light exposures, no significant reduction in organism viability was observed.

To facilitate comparison of the antimicrobial efficacy of light diffusing fibers and other techniques using 405 nm light reported in the literature, Table 2 shows the CFU of each test organism ≧4-log The radiant energy (in J/cm ² ) required to kill by ₁₀ is also summarized. As detailed above, S. pyogenes appeared to be the most sensitive organism tested, showing a >4 log reduction in cell viability at 36 J/cm ² . Among other species evaluated, P. aeruginosa is also highly sensitive to 405 nm light (72 J/cm ² ); aureus, S. epidermidis, K. pneumoniae and A. pneumoniae. baumannii (144 J/cm ² ) followed. C. albicans, E. coli, and E. coli. cloacae appears to be somewhat more blue light tolerant (360 J/cm ² ) and E. faecium was the least sensitive, requiring 540 J/m ² of irradiation to achieve at least a 4 log reduction in CFU.

Effect of 405 nm light delivered by a light diffusive fiber optic delivery or illumination system on non-biological surfaces colonized by ESKAPE pathogens It is well recognized that fomitant material colonization acts as a source of bacterial transmission. . Thus, we extended our studies to demonstrate the performance of our system against representatives of the ESKAPE pathogen during colonization of abiotic surfaces common in hospital settings, including polystyrene, fabric, silicone rubber, polypropylene, and ceramic tile. evaluated. Based in part on the high sensitivity to 405 nm and the propensity to colonize abiotic surfaces observed on semi-solid agar surfaces, we selected three representative ESKAPE pathogen: S. cerevisiae, a commonly acquired nosocomial pathogen prevalent in hospital environments. aureus and P. A. aeruginosa, as well as A. aeruginosa, an environmental organism that is highly tolerant to desiccation and is a significant cause of wound infections. baumannii was selected. 10 ⁸ , 10 ⁷ or 10 ⁶ CFU of S.E. aureus, P. aeruginosa, or A. baumannii, dried for 24-48 hours and then treated with 0, 5, 10 or 25 mW/cm ² for 2, 4 or 6 hours. Bacterial cells were harvested by washing and the number of remaining viable cells was counted by plating. Care was taken to ensure that all viable organisms were recovered.

The light diffusive fiber illumination system consisted of a P. elegans attached to each substrate. modest disinfectant properties against S. aeruginosa and S. showed limited activity against M. aureus (Table 3). More specifically, compared to sham-treated cells (protected from light), P. aeruginosa exhibited dose-response dependent effects when attached to fabric and polystyrene, with up to 2-log ₁₀ and 5-log ₁₀ survival rates after treatment at 25 mW/cm ² for 4 and 6 h, respectively. A decrease was obtained. P. aeruginosa showed a 2-log ₁₀ to 3-log ₁₀ reduction in recoverable cells when attached to all other surfaces except silicone rubber. S. For aureus, irradiation at 25 mW/cm ² for 6 hours (540 J/m ² ) caused up to a 2-3-log ₁₀ reduction in viability for organisms attached to fabric, ceramic tile, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Although obtained, no antimicrobial activity was detected with respect to the organism when attached to silicone rubber. Similarly, 405 nm light delivered by a light diffusive fiber produced ^an A.C. baumannii had no detectable antibacterial effect.

Taken together, these results indicate that the light diffusive fiber illumination system allows P. cerevisiae to colonize many abiotic surfaces common in hospital environments. aeruginosa and S. aureus can be eradicated (although the latter eradicates to a lesser extent). However, effective sanitization may require significantly higher blue light doses than those investigated here by using higher powers and/or longer exposure times. In contrast, A. Baumannii eradication may not be achievable, which is consistent with the organism's well-established hardiness and ability to withstand disinfectants and prolonged desiccation.

Comparison of 405 nm Light Delivered by Light Diffusing Fibers Against Cultured Eukaryotic Cells and Bacterial Pathogens We subsequently explored the potential of this technology as a therapeutic modality in the host environment. In this quest, establishing a therapeutic index (antibacterial dose versus human cytotoxicity) for blue light will determine whether the technology could likely be applied to treat infections without causing extensive collateral host cell damage. It was recognized as essential for characterization. Thus, measurements of human cytotoxicity were first used to establish relatively safe doses of blue light that exhibit limited human cytotoxicity. To do this, human colon 38 cells were grown to 50% or 100% confluency and irradiated with varying doses of 405 nm light for 4 hours. Cells irradiated at 144 J/ ^cm2 exhibited 96%-100% metabolic activity of sham-treated cells, but higher doses significantly reduced cell metabolism expected for cytotoxic responses in human cells. (not shown). We therefore consider 144 J/cm ² of irradiation to be the maximum blue light dose that a typical host cell can tolerate, and that blue light is therapeutically relevant against the ESKAPE pathogen during planktonic growth. We set out to evaluate whether it could deliver significant antibacterial activity at ≤144 J/cm ² .

Individual wells of microtiter plates containing MH medium were inoculated with approximately 5×10 ⁴ of each pathogen and then treated with fiber-optic delivered 405 nm light for 1, 2, or 4 hours (each of which is approximately 31.3 J/cm ² , 62.7 J/cm ² and 125.4 J/cm ² ). The number of remaining CFUs was counted by plating and each experimental condition was evaluated at least three times to calculate the average number of initial CFU reductions (Table 4). As a result, two distinct susceptibility phenotypes were revealed. S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. All pyogenes were highly sensitive to 405 nm irradiation. More specifically, S. pyogenes showed a complete loss of cell viability at all doses evaluated (>31 J/cm ² ), whereas S. pyogenes showed a complete loss of cell viability. aureus and S. epidermidis showed a dose-dependent antibacterial effect, with maximal and complete loss of cell viability at 125.4 J/cm ^{2 ,} respectively. In contrast, other organisms tested showed no significant sensitivity to 405 nm light during growth in liquid medium conditions. Together, these results suggest that the relatively low threshold for human cytotoxicity requires careful consideration of the potential for collateral damage with respect to the use of 405 nm light in the host environment. Nevertheless, S. cerevisiae showed the highest therapeutic index. pyogenes and S. Two organisms, the aureus, are the major causes of bullous palsy, which suggests that a 405 nm light delivery or illumination system with light diffusive fibers may be safe for therapeutic intervention against this serious bacterial skin infection. It shows that it is possible to show an attractive strategy in

S. Characterization of the effect of 405 nm light on disease-related growth conditions of S. aureus. Compared to S. pyogenes, S. aureus is highly prone to cause a wide variety of infections with a wide range of severities, from skin disease to pulmonary disease and sepsis. Therefore, S. As a starting point to evaluate the antibacterial properties of 405 nm light of light diffusive fibers in conditions approximating the environment of disease by aureus, the inventors have shown that the light delivery or illumination system is effective in human serum or mouse lung surfactant. It was evaluated whether antimicrobial activity could be delivered to the growing organism.

Thus, approximately 1×10 ⁵ exponentially growing S. cerevisiae. Aureus cells were transferred to individual wells of microtiter plates loaded with 100% human serum or lung surfactant and exposed to ≤144 J/m ² of 405 nm light. During growth in human serum, 405 nm light delivered by a light diffusive fiber optic delivery or illumination system was used by S. resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in viability of C. aureus, resulting in a 1.65-log and 2-log reduction in recoverable CFU when irradiation was performed at 62.7 J/cm ² and 125 J/cm ² , respectively. During growth in mouse pulmonary surfactant, S. aureus appeared to be resistant to exposures as low as ≤125 J/cm ² but showed complete loss of viability at 250 J/cm ² . However, this dose is expected to be harmful to host cells (Table 4). Taken together, these results suggest that future 405 nm light delivery strategies may support S. cerevisiae for systemic infections. Although it may serve as an effective and safe approach to reduce the burden of C. aureus, it is suggested that this approach may not be effective/safe for pulmonary infections.

High intensity blue-violet light (wavelength range: about 405 nm to about 470 nm) has been demonstrated in the literature as an effective antimicrobial agent. Most of these studies use LEDs or other Flood Illumination type illumination sources. In these examples, the antimicrobial function of 405 nm light delivered using a laser source and one or more embodiments of the light diffusing fiber. Such light diffusing fibers deliver light radially along their length in a flexible and thin form, and their geometric properties can be advantageous for clinical applications. A light delivery or illumination system with a light diffusive fiber and 405 nm light showed significant antimicrobial activity against the ESKAPE bacterial pathogen, as well as the Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, and fungal pathogens Candida albicans.

Aspect (1) of the present disclosure includes: a first end; a second end opposite said first end; a core; a clad surrounding said core; an outer surface; and a plurality of scattering structures positioned in both the cladding; and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer surrounding and contacting the cladding; A structure is configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light scatters along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber. the core comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material; the cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material; the thermoplastic polymer A coating layer relates to a light diffusing optical fiber that is doped with a plurality of scattering particles.

Aspect (2) of the present disclosure relates to the light diffusing optical fiber of aspect (1), wherein the thermoplastic polymer coating layer comprises a fluorinated polymer material.

Aspect (3) of the present disclosure provides that the fluorinated polymer material of the thermoplastic polymer coating layer is polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, polyetherether. The light diffusing optical fiber according to aspect (2), comprising a ketone, or a combination thereof.

Aspect (4) of the present disclosure is any one of aspects (1)-(3), wherein the plurality of scattering particles comprises Al ₂ O ₃ , BaSO ₄ , SiO ₂ , gas voids, or combinations thereof. 1. The light diffusing optical fiber described in 1. above.

Aspect (5) of the present disclosure is any one of aspects (1) to (4), wherein each of the scattering particles of the plurality of scattering particles has a cross-sectional size of from about 20 nm to about 5000 nm. relates to a light diffusing optical fiber.

Aspect (6) of the present disclosure provides the light diffusing properties when guided light having a wavelength of about 250 nm or greater propagates along the core and a portion of the guided light diffuses through the outer surface. The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of aspects (1) to (5), wherein the optical fiber has a scattering efficiency of about 0.5 or higher.

Aspect (7) of the present disclosure is any of aspects (1) to (6), wherein the thermoplastic polymer coating layer has an absorbance of about 0.02 or less per 100 μm layer thickness at wavelengths of about 240 nm or greater. 1. A light diffusing optical fiber according to one.

Aspect (8) of the present disclosure is the light of any one of aspects (1)-(7), wherein the glass of the core comprises silica glass and the glass of the cladding comprises F-doped silica glass. It relates to diffusive optical fibers.

Aspect (9) of the present disclosure is characterized in that the plurality of scattering structures is configured to scatter the guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber, whereby the guided light diffuse through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber to provide a scattering-induced attenuation of greater than or equal to about 50 dB/km. The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of (8).

Aspect (10) of the present disclosure provides that the difference between the minimum scattered illumination intensity and the maximum scattered illumination intensity is less than 50% of the maximum scattered illumination intensity for all viewing angles from 40 to 120°, The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of aspects (1) to (9), wherein the plurality of scattering particles of the thermoplastic polymer coating layer is composed.

Aspect (11) of the present disclosure relates to the light diffusing optical fiber of any one of aspects (1)-(10), wherein the plurality of scattering structures comprises gas-filled cavities.

Aspect (12) of the present disclosure includes: a first end; a second end opposite said first end; a core; a clad surrounding said core; and a plurality of scattering structures positioned within both the cladding; a primary coating layer surrounding the cladding; and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer, wherein the primary coating layer comprises the cladding and the thermoplastic polymer coating layer. a light diffusing optical fiber comprising a thermoplastic polymer coating layer surrounding said primary coating layer such that said scattering structures direct guided light to said light diffusing structure; configured to scatter toward the outer surface of a light diffusive optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light diffuses through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber; The core comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material; the cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material; A light diffusing optical fiber comprising a cycloaliphatic epoxy having an absorbance of about 0.04 or less; said primary coating layer comprising a plurality of scattering particles doped with said cycloaliphatic epoxy.

Aspect (13) of the present disclosure relates to the light diffusing optical fiber of aspect (12), wherein the thermoplastic polymer coating layer comprises a fluorinated polymer material.

Aspect (14) of the present disclosure provides that the fluorinated polymer material of the thermoplastic polymer coating layer is polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, or polyether. The light diffusing optical fiber according to aspect (13), comprising an ether ketone, or a combination thereof.

Aspect (15) of the present disclosure is aspect (12)-(14), wherein the plurality of scattering particles comprises Al ₂ O ₃ , BaSO ₄ , silica, fluorinated polymer particles, gas voids, or combinations thereof. 3. The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of .

Aspect (16) of the present disclosure provides the light diffusing properties when guided light having a wavelength of about 375 nm or greater propagates along the core and a portion of the guided light diffuses through the outer surface. The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of aspects (12) to (15), wherein the optical fiber has a scattering efficiency of about 0.6 or more.

Aspect (17) of the present disclosure includes: a first end; a second end opposite said first end; a core; a clad surrounding said core; and a plurality of scattering structures positioned in both the cladding; and a coating layer surrounding the cladding; is configured to scatter toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber such that as the guided light propagates along the core, a portion of the guided light scatters toward the light diffusing optical fiber. diffuses through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the optical fiber; the core comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material; and the cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of hydroxyl material. the coating layer is doped with a plurality of scattering particles; the guided light having a wavelength of about 250 nm or greater propagates along the core and a portion of the guided light passes through the outer surface. The light diffusing optical fiber is directed to a light diffusing optical fiber having a scattering efficiency of about 0.4 or greater when diffusing with a .

Aspect (18) comprises the coating layer such that the difference between the minimum scattered illumination intensity and the maximum scattered illumination intensity is less than 50% of the maximum scattered illumination intensity for all viewing angles from 40 to 120°. 18. The light diffusing optical fiber according to aspect (17), wherein the plurality of scattering particles of is configured.

Aspect (19) of Aspect (17) or Aspect (18), wherein the plurality of scattering particles comprises Al ₂ O ₃ , BaSO ₄ , SiO ₂ , fluorinated polymer particles, gas voids, or combinations thereof. It relates to a light diffusing optical fiber as described.

Aspect (20) is the light diffusing optical fiber of any one of aspects (17)-(19), wherein the coating layer doped with the plurality of scattering particles comprises a thermoplastic polymer coating layer. Regarding.

Aspect (21) of the present disclosure is an illumination system comprising: a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a core, and a core; a surrounding cladding; an outer surface; a plurality of scattering structures positioned within the core, the cladding, or both the core and the cladding; and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer surrounding and contacting the cladding. wherein the plurality of scattering structures are configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber, thereby causing the guide to A portion of the emitted light diffuses through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber, one or both of the core and the cladding comprising glass doped with a hydroxyl material. a light diffusing optical fiber, wherein said thermoplastic polymer coating layer is doped with a plurality of scattering particles; and bonded to said first end or said second end of said light diffusing optical fiber. A lighting system, comprising: a light output device, said light output device comprising a light source producing light in a wavelength range of about 200 nm to about 500 nm.

Aspect (22) relates to the illumination system of aspect (21), wherein the light output device is coupled to the light diffusing optical fiber.

Aspect (23) is an illumination system, said illumination system comprising: a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a core, and a cladding surrounding said core. an outer surface; a plurality of scattering structures positioned within the core, the cladding, or both the core and the cladding; a primary coating layer surrounding the cladding; a thermoplastic polymer coating layer surrounding the primary coating layer such that the primary coating layer is disposed between the cladding and the thermoplastic polymer coating layer; A scattering structure is configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface of the light-diffusing optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light is diffused into the light-diffusing optical fiber. Diffusing along the length through the outer surface, the core and the cladding comprising glass, the primary coating layer having an absorbance of less than or equal to about 0.04 per 100 μm layer thickness at wavelengths greater than or equal to about 250 nm. a light diffusing optical fiber comprising a cycloaliphatic epoxy, wherein the primary coating layer comprises a plurality of scattering particles doped with the cycloaliphatic epoxy; and the first end of the light diffusing optical fiber. a light output device configured to be coupled to the portion or the second end, the light output device comprising a light source producing light in a wavelength range of about 200 nm to about 500 nm. a lighting system.

Aspect (24) relates to the illumination system of aspect (23), wherein the light output device is coupled to the light diffusing optical fiber.

Aspect (25) is an illumination system, said illumination system comprising: a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a core, and a cladding surrounding said core. , an outer surface, a plurality of scattering structures positioned within the core, the cladding, or both the core and the cladding, and a coating layer surrounding the cladding, wherein The plurality of scattering structures is configured such that as guided light propagates along the core, a portion of the guided light travels along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber and across the outer surface. one of the core and the cladding configured to scatter the guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber so as to diffuse therethrough, one of the core and the cladding doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material; the coating layer is doped with a plurality of scattering particles, the guided light having a wavelength of about 250 nm or greater propagates along the core, and a portion of the guided light a light diffusing optical fiber, when diffusing through an outer surface, the light diffusing optical fiber comprises a scattering efficiency of about 0.4 or greater; 2, said light output device comprising a light source producing light in a wavelength range of about 200 nm to about 500 nm. system.

Aspect (26) relates to the illumination system of aspect (25), wherein the light output device is coupled to the light diffusing optical fiber.

For the purposes of describing and defining the techniques of the present invention, references herein to a variable being a "function" of a parameter or another variable means that the variable is the described Note that it is not intended to imply that it is a function of only the parameters or variables specified. Instead, references herein to a variable being a "function" of a stated parameter are intended to be non-limiting, so that the variable is It may be a function of some single parameter, or it may be a function of multiple parameters.

Also, references herein to "at least one" component, element, etc., are limited to a single component, element, etc., as alternative use of the articles "a" or "an" Note also that it should not be used to make the inference that it should be.

Statements herein that certain components of the disclosure are “configured” in a certain manner to embody certain attributes or to function in a certain way is a statement of structure, not of intended use. More specifically, statements herein regarding the manner in which a component is "configured" refer to the existing physical state of the component, and thus the definiteness of the structural characteristics of the component. shall be understood as a description.

For the purposes of describing and defining the technology of the present invention, the terms "substantially" and "about" are used herein for any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other Note that it is used to express an inherent degree of uncertainty that can be attributed to representation. The terms "substantially/substantially" and "about" are used herein to deviate from a stated basis without resulting in a change in the underlying function of the subject matter in question. It is also used to express the degree of possibility.

Although the subject matter of the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is understood that these details relate to elements that are essential constituents of the various embodiments described herein. It should not be construed as implied, even if certain elements are illustrated in each of the multiple drawings that accompany this description. Furthermore, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, including but not limited to the embodiments defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although certain aspects of the disclosure have been identified herein as being preferred or particularly advantageous, the disclosure is not necessarily considered limited to those aspects.

Note that one or more of the following claims use the term "wherein" as a transitional phrase. In order to define the technology of the present invention, this term is introduced into the claims as a non-limiting transitional phrase, which is used to introduce a description of a series of structural features. , should be interpreted similarly to the more commonly used non-limiting prepositional phrase "comprising."

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described item by item.

Embodiment 1
a first end;
a second end opposite the first end;
core;
a cladding surrounding the core;
outer surface;
A light diffusing optical fiber comprising: a plurality of scattering structures positioned within said core, said cladding, or both said core and said cladding; and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer surrounding said cladding and in contact with said cladding. with:
The plurality of scattering structures is configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light scatters the light diffusing light. diffusing through the outer surface along the diffusing length of the fiber;
the core comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material;
the cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material;
A light diffusing optical fiber, wherein the thermoplastic polymer coating layer is doped with a plurality of scattering particles.

Embodiment 2
2. The light diffusing optical fiber of embodiment 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer coating layer comprises a fluorinated polymer material.

Embodiment 3
The fluorinated polymer material of the thermoplastic polymer coating layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, polyetheretherketone, or combinations thereof. A light diffusing optical fiber according to Embodiment 2.

Embodiment 4
4. The light diffusing optical fiber of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the plurality of scattering particles comprises Al ₂ O ₃ , BaSO ₄ , SiO ₂ , gas voids, or combinations thereof.

Embodiment 5
5. The light diffusing optical fiber of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein each of the scattering particles of the plurality of scattering particles has a cross-sectional size from about 20 nm to about 5000 nm.

Embodiment 6
When guided light of wavelength greater than or equal to about 250 nm propagates along the core and a portion of the guided light is diffused through the outer surface, the light diffusing optical fiber has a scattering efficiency of about 0.5 nm. 6. The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of embodiments 1-5, which is 5 or more.

Embodiment 7
7. The light diffusing optical fiber of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the thermoplastic polymer coating layer has an absorbance of less than or equal to about 0.02 per 100 microns of layer thickness at wavelengths greater than or equal to about 240 nm.

Embodiment 8
8. The light diffusing optical fiber of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein the glass of the core comprises silica glass and the glass of the cladding comprises F-doped silica glass.

Embodiment 9
The plurality of scattering structures are configured to scatter the guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light is the light diffusing light. 9. The light of any one of embodiments 1-8, diffusing through the outer surface along the diffusing length of the fiber to provide a scattering-induced attenuation of greater than or equal to about 50 dB/km. Diffusive optical fiber.

Embodiment 10
the plurality of thermoplastic polymer coating layers such that the difference between the minimum scattered illumination intensity and the maximum scattered illumination intensity is less than 50% of the maximum scattered illumination intensity for all viewing angles from 40 to 120° 10. The light diffusing optical fiber of any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the scattering particles are comprised of:

Embodiment 11
11. The light diffusing optical fiber of any one of embodiments 1-10, wherein the plurality of scattering structures comprises gas-filled cavities.

Embodiment 12
a first end;
a second end opposite the first end;
core;
a cladding surrounding the core;
outer surface;
a plurality of scattering structures positioned within the core, the cladding, or both the core and the cladding;
a primary coating layer surrounding the cladding; and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer, the thermoplastic surrounding the primary coating layer such that the primary coating layer is disposed between the cladding and the thermoplastic polymer coating layer. A light diffusing optical fiber comprising a polymer coating layer, comprising:
The plurality of scattering structures is configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light scatters the light diffusing light. diffusing through the outer surface along the diffusing length of the fiber;
the core comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material;
the cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material;
the primary coating layer comprises a cycloaliphatic epoxy having an absorbance of less than or equal to about 0.04 per 100 μm layer thickness at wavelengths greater than or equal to about 250 nm;
A light diffusing optical fiber, wherein the primary coating layer comprises a plurality of scattering particles doped with the cycloaliphatic epoxy.

Embodiment 13
13. The light diffusing optical fiber of embodiment 12, wherein the thermoplastic polymer coating layer comprises a fluorinated polymer material.

Embodiment 14
The fluorinated polymer material of the thermoplastic polymer coating layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, or polyetheretherketone, or combinations thereof. 14. The light diffusing optical fiber according to embodiment 13.

Embodiment 15
15. The light diffusive according to any one of embodiments 12-14, wherein the plurality of scattering particles comprises Al ₂ O ₃ , BaSO ₄ , silica, fluorinated polymer particles, gas voids, or combinations thereof. fiber optic.

Embodiment 16
When guided light having a wavelength greater than or equal to about 375 nm propagates along the core and a portion of the guided light is diffused through the outer surface, the light diffusing optical fiber has a scattering efficiency of about 0.5. 16. The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of embodiments 12-15, which is 6 or more.

Embodiment 17
a first end;
a second end opposite the first end;
core;
a cladding surrounding the core;
outer surface;
A light diffusing optical fiber comprising: a plurality of scattering structures positioned within the core, the cladding, or both the core and the cladding; and a coating layer surrounding the cladding, wherein:
The plurality of scattering structures are configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber such that the guided light propagates along the core. a portion of the guided light diffuses through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber;
the core comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material;
the cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material;
the coating layer is doped with a plurality of scattering particles;
When the guided light having a wavelength greater than or equal to about 250 nm propagates along the core and a portion of the guided light diffuses through the outer surface, the light diffusing optical fiber has a wavelength of about 0.4 A light diffusing optical fiber having a scattering efficiency equal to or higher than the above.

Embodiment 18
the plurality of scattering properties of the coating layer such that the difference between the minimum scattered illumination intensity and the maximum scattered illumination intensity is less than 50% of the maximum scattered illumination intensity for all viewing angles from 40 to 120° 18. The light diffusing optical fiber of embodiment 17, wherein the particles are composed.

Embodiment 19
19. The light diffusing optical fiber of embodiment 17 or embodiment 18, wherein the plurality of scattering particles comprises _Al2O3 , _BaSO4 , _SiO2 , fluorinated polymer particles, _gas voids, or combinations thereof.

Embodiment 20
20. The light diffusing optical fiber of any one of embodiments 17-19, wherein the coating layer doped with the plurality of scattering particles comprises a thermoplastic polymer coating layer.

Embodiment 21
a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a core, a cladding surrounding said core, an outer surface, said core, said cladding, or both said core and said cladding. and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer surrounding and contacting the cladding, wherein the scattering structures are positioned in is configured to scatter guided light toward the outer surface of the light-diffusing optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light is directed along the diffusion length of the light-diffusing optical fiber. diffusing through the outer surface, wherein one or both of the core and the cladding comprises glass doped with a hydroxyl material, and the thermoplastic polymer coating layer is doped with a plurality of scattering particles; a light diffusing optical fiber; and a light output device configured to be coupled to said first end or said second end of said light diffusing optical fiber, said light output device comprising about An illumination system comprising a light output device comprising a light source producing light in the wavelength range of 200 nm to about 500 nm.

Embodiment 22
22. The lighting system of embodiment 21, wherein the light output device is coupled to the light diffusing optical fiber.

Embodiment 23
a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a core, a cladding surrounding said core, an outer surface, said core, said cladding, or both said core and said cladding. a primary coating layer surrounding the cladding; and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer, the primary coating layer between the cladding and the thermoplastic polymer coating layer. and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer surrounding said primary coating layer in a disposition, wherein said plurality of scattering structures directs guided light to said light diffusing light. configured to scatter toward the outer surface of the fiber such that a portion of the guided light diffuses along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber through the outer surface and into the core and The cladding comprises glass, the primary coating layer comprises a cycloaliphatic epoxy having an absorbance of about 0.04 or less per 100 μm layer thickness at a wavelength of about 250 nm or greater, and the primary coating layer comprises the cycloaliphatic a light diffusing optical fiber comprising a plurality of scattering particles doped with a formula epoxy; and configured to be coupled to the first end or the second end of the light diffusing optical fiber; An illumination system comprising a light output device, said light output device comprising a light source producing light in a wavelength range of about 200 nm to about 500 nm.

Embodiment 24
24. The lighting system of embodiment 23, wherein the light output device is coupled to the light diffusing optical fiber.

Embodiment 25
a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a core, a cladding surrounding said core, an outer surface, said core, said cladding, or both said core and said cladding. and a coating layer surrounding the cladding, wherein the scattering structures direct guided light to the core. directing the guided light to the light diffusion such that a portion of the guided light diffuses through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber as it propagates along the one of the core and the cladding comprises glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material, the coating layer comprising a plurality of scattering particles; When the guided light that is doped and has a wavelength greater than or equal to about 250 nm propagates along the core and a portion of the guided light diffuses through the outer surface, the light diffusing optical fiber has a wavelength of about a light diffusing optical fiber having a scattering efficiency of 0.4 or greater; and a light output device configured to be coupled to said first end or said second end of said light diffusing optical fiber. A lighting system comprising a light output device, wherein the light output device comprises a light source producing light in a wavelength range of about 200 nm to about 500 nm.

Embodiment 26
26. The lighting system of embodiment 25, wherein the light output device is coupled to the light diffusing optical fiber.

10 arrow 100 illumination system 102 light output device 110, 210, 310 light diffusing optical fiber 112 first end 114 second end 116 end face of first end 112 120, 220, 320 core 122, 222, 322 cladding 125, 225, 325 scattering structure 128, 228, 328 outer surface of light diffusing optical fiber 110, 210, 310 130 primary polymer coating 132 secondary polymer coating layer 135, 235, 335 scattering particles 152 light source 234, 334 Thermoplastic polymer coating layer 330 Primary coating layer

Claims (10)

a first end;
a second end opposite said first end;
core;
a cladding surrounding the core;
outer surface;
A light diffusing optical fiber comprising a plurality of scattering structures positioned within both the core and the cladding; and a thermoplastic polymer coating layer surrounding and contacting the cladding, the optical fiber comprising:
The plurality of scattering structures are configured to scatter guided light having a wavelength between 300 nm and 500 nm toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber, whereby a portion of the guided light is , diffusing through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber;
said core comprising a glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material;
said cladding comprising glass doped with 300 ppm or more of a hydroxyl material;
A light diffusing optical fiber, wherein the thermoplastic polymer coating layer is doped with a plurality of scattering particles. 2. The light diffusing optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic polymer coating layer comprises a fluorinated polymer material. The fluorinated polymer material of the thermoplastic polymer coating layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, polyetheretherketone, or combinations thereof. The light diffusing optical fiber according to claim 2. The light diffusing optical fiber of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the plurality of scattering particles comprises Al ₂ O ₃ , BaSO ₄ , SiO ₂ , gas voids, or combinations thereof. The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the plurality of scattering particles has a cross-sectional size of 20 nm to 5000 nm. If guided light with a wavelength between 300 nm and 500 nm propagates along the core and a portion of the guided light is diffused through the outer surface, the scattering efficiency of the light diffusing optical fiber is 0.5 . The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which has 5 or more. Said thermoplastic polymer coating layer has a thickness of 0.05 μm per 100 μm layer thickness at a wavelength of 2 40 nm to 400 nm . The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which has an absorbance of 02 or less. The plurality of scattering structures are configured to scatter the guided light toward the outer surface of the light diffusing optical fiber such that a portion of the guided light is Light according to any one of the preceding claims, diffusing through the outer surface along the diffusion length of the fiber to provide a scattering-induced attenuation of 50 dB/km or more. Diffusive optical fiber. the plurality of thermoplastic polymer coating layers such that the difference between the minimum scattered illumination intensity and the maximum scattered illumination intensity is less than 50% of the maximum scattered illumination intensity for all viewing angles from 40 to 120°; The light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the scattering particles are composed of a light diffusing optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and coupled to said first end or said second end of said light diffusing optical fiber or said light diffusing An illumination system comprising: a light output device configured to be coupled to an optical fiber, said light output device comprising a light source producing light in the wavelength range of 200 nm to 500 nm.

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