FLUORESCENT OPTICAL FIBERS
Producing the brightest fluorescent fiber optics in the world,
We have a high tech factory for manufacturing of plastic optical fibers,
consisting of distillation systems for purifying monomers, continuous
fibering systems with integrated laser measurement
Apollinaire Technologie manufactures the most qualitative fluorescent
optical fibers in the world, through a highly rigorous process :
We remove from all chemical components the additives through distillation,
and use only top quality materials
These fibres are absorbing the light laterally and generate a luminous
point at their extremities.
An incident transversal light is absorbed by the fiber. A light having a
higher wavelength is emitted at the extremities.
Optical fibers are available in diameters of 0.25 to 3 mm. The minimal
curve radius for a fiber of 1mm is diameter 25 mm
(Smaller radii can be obtained using thermo-forming).
These fibers can be used up to a temperature of 70°C.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES :
Luminescent plastic optical fibers are not fundamentally different from clear fibres. The core has been doped during manufacturing.
When suitable radiation strikes a luminescent fiber transversally, it penetrates and excites the core material, and dopant.
When relaxing, it generates light emission. A significant fraction of this luminous energy leaves the fiber. Nevertheless, a small
fraction (corresponding to the rays emitted in the internal acceptance cone of the fiber) is trapped and guided to the two extremities of
the fiber.
A fluorescent optical fiber can be characterized by its excitation and emission spectra. These spectra depend on the dopants used
during manufacturing of the fiber.
For example, a “green” fluorescent fiber must be excited by UV or blue radiation.
Our workshop has first been the property of
the french atomic agency (CEA) that has
invented those optical fibres.
Complete workshop and patent have then been
purchased by a company named Optectron.
In 2006, this activity became the property of
Apollinaire Technologie - So we own
the first laboratory established for this
technology, and we keep the spirit
of those pioneers
EFFECT OF PIGMENT CONCENTRATION :
We have used a doubble cladding orange fiber
A green led has been moved along the fiber - In abscissa,
you can see the distance in cm between tne led and the
sensor. In ordinate, you have the light intensity given
by the fiber.
The D type fiber has less pigment, and the G type has
the highest concentration of pigment.
QUALITY CONTROL DEVICES :
Quality is our main issue
We have the following devices for controlling our optical fibres :
- 3 Laser measurement systems for diameters measurement
(Precision better than +/-0.001 mm)
- Test bench equiped with a moving LED and a sensor, able
to give the attenuation curve
- Spectrophotometer able to give the spectra curve and the light
power for any fiber
- Microscopes for cut quality controls
