In this work we perform a detailed experimental and theoretical analysis of the properties of amplified spontaneous
emission (ASE) in a rhodamine-6G-doped graded-index polymer optical fiber when the fiber is pumped either
longitudinally or transversally with respect to the fiber axis. The dependence of the ASE threshold and efficiency on
fiber length has been compared for both schemes of excitation. A theoretical model for longitudinal excitation has been
carried out by means of the laser rate equations as functions of time, distance traveled by light and wavelength. The
analysis takes into account that the fiber is a typical graded-index POF in which the radial distributions of light power
density and dye concentration are not uniform. The theoretical calculations agree satisfactorily with the experimental
results. The photodegradation of the ASE intensity has also been measured for both pumping schemes.
A combination of front-scattering film and directional backlight has been proposed as a system for wide-viewing-angle
transmissive liquid-crystal display (LCD). This system does not require precisely controlled phase difference film
presently used in commercial LCDs, which is expected to make LCDs simpler and less expensive. However, this system
has not, as far as we know, been put into practical use due to the blurring of images and the whitening of the scattering
film that causes the degradation of contrast.
In this article, we designed a scattering film that causes little blurring of images and whitening by optimizing conditions
of light-scattering particles added to a polymer film and addition of the dye. The blurring of images was inhibited by
doping polymer film with particles of high relative refractive index. The whitening of the scattering film was inhibited
by the addition of the dye. The film in which particles were dispersed and accumulated showed different luminance
properties and blurring of images at the same particle concentration. Finally, a directional backlight covered with the
optimized scattering film showed equivalent luminance properties to those of a commercial backlight and demonstrated
the feasibility of this system.
We investigated the effects of trans-stilbene unit in compensating birefringence in the random copolymerization method
and the anisotropic molecule dopant method. In the random copolymerization method, trans-stilbene methacrylate
(TSMA) containing the trans-stilbene unit in the side chain was polymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in
solution polymerization to compensate the photoelastic birefringence and the orientational birefringence of poly(methyl
methacrylate) (PMMA). In the anisotropic molecule dopant method, trans-stilbene was added to PMMA. In the both
methods, the photoelastic birefringence and the orientational birefringence shifted from the negative side to the positive
side with an increase in the concentration of trans-stilbene unit. 0.8 mol% of TSMA almost eliminated the photoelastic
birefringence. Also, we demonstrated that poly(MMA/TSMA) exhibited no orientational birefringence with 1.9 mol% of
TSMA. 2.0 mol% of trans-stilbene almost eliminated the photoelastic birefringence of PMMA. Similarly, we
demonstrated compensating orientational birefringence with 2.0 mol% of trans-stilbene. Based on the results, the effects
of trans-stilbene unit in compensation of orientational birefringence are almost the same in the two methods. However,
in compensation of photoelastic birefringence, the trans-stilbene unit had 2.5 times higher effect in the random
copolymerization method than that in the anisotropic molecule dopant method. Photoelastic birefringence is caused in
elastic deformation below Tg, in which the side chains are mainly orientated while the polymer main chains are scarcely
orientated. Therefore, we concluded that addition of trans-stilbene unit to the side chain enhanced the effect for
compensating photoelastic birefringence.
Nanoparticles doped PMMA films were prepared without surface treatment agent in order to investigate particle size and
concentration dependence of orientation-inhibition effect and photoelastic coefficient reduction. It is suggested that
nanoparticles with a diameter of less than about 30 nm exhibit orientation-inhibition effect. Photoelastic coefficient
reduction was independent of particle size and proportional to volume fraction. Doping nanoparticles has an insignificant
effect on degrading the transparency of polymers if the combination of nanoparticles and polymer matrix is appropriate.
The purpose of this study is to design an optimal strontium carbonate (SrCO3) crystal which can effectively compensate
the orientational birefringence of polymers. Additionally, we try to compensate large positive birefringence which
polycarbonate (PC) exhibits. Furthermore, we analyze the orientational behaviors of the crystals in biaxially drawn
polymer films. As a result of the measurement of orientational birefringence of the polymer films doped with SrCO3 with
various average sizes and aspect ratios and estimation of orientation function of the crystals, we found out that SrCO3
with higher aspect ratio and larger size had higher compensation efficiency for the birefringence. As a result of
measurement of transparency, we found out that the copolymer film doped with SrCO3 with higher aspect ratio and
larger size was less transparent. Therefore, it was suggested that we should design an optimal crystal for particular
purposes from the standpoint of the birefringence compensation efficiency and transparency when we apply this method
to an optics application. Additionally, we succeed in designing a zero birefringent PC by doping with SrCO3.
Furthermore, we found out that SrCO3 was aligned in a perpendicular direction to the thickness direction and was
randomly oriented in planar direction in biaxially drawn polymer films.
Graded-index (GRIN) progressive addition lens (PAL) was successfully fabricated, and GRIN's potential for aberration
correction of PAL was confirmed. GRIN material was prepared by partial diffusion of methyl methacrylate (MMA (nd at
polymer = 1.492)) monomer into cross-linked benzyl methacrylate (BzMA (nd at polymer=1.568)) flat gel, and GRINPAL
was prepared by polymerization of the GRIN material attached to a mold of commercially available PAL. GRIN
polymer materials have been used for various applications such as rod lenses and optical fibers. GRIN represents gradual
change of refractive index in a material, which adds or reduces light focusing power of the material. PAL is a multifocal
spectacle lens for presbyopia. However, some localized aberrations (especially astigmatism) in PAL have not yet been
reduced satisfactorily for decades by optimizing surface geometry of a lens. In this research, we propose to employ
GRIN materials for astigmatism reduction of PALs. BzMA flat gel was prepared by UV polymerization of BzMA, crosslinking
agent ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) and photopolymerization initiator DAROCURE 1173. MMA
monomer was diffused into BzMA flat gel from a portion of periphery for several hours. The obtained GRIN material
was attached to a mold of commercially available PAL and polymerized by UV. As a result, reduction of astigmatism
was confirmed locally in the fabricated PAL and GRIN-PAL using lens meter. In conclusion, GRIN-PAL was
successfully fabricated. The validity of GRIN employment for the astigmatism reduction in PAL was demonstrated
experimentally.
We reported the "birefringent crystal dopant method" in order to compensate the orientational birefringence of polymers for optical devices. In this method, a birefringent inorganic crystal which has rod-like shape is homogeneously doped into a polymer and it compensates the orientational birefringence of the polymer. Strontium carbonate (SrCO3) was selected for this purpose because it has a large birefringence and a rod-like shape. SrCO3 was synthesized and doped into a poly(MMA/BzMA=78/22 (wt/wt)) (78/22 polymer) film and a cycloolefin polymer film and the films were drawn above glass transition temperature (Tg). The orientational birefringence of the drawn film at a wavelength of 633 nm was compensated and reduced by doping with SrCO3. Furthermore, we analyzed the transparency and thermostability of the films.
A novel rear projection screen (Blue Ocean screen, Nitto Jyushi Kogyo, Co., Ltd.) has been developed. Blue Ocean screen is a single polymer plate requiring no lens element. The projected image is formed on the screen surface by the multiple light scattering. An image light is multiply scattered and is converted into homogeneous light distribution efficiently due to the internal particles of micron order dispersed in the acrylic polymer matrix. An ambient light is reduced by the dye molecules doped in the polymer and the anti-reflective coating on the screen surface. The condition of the particles and the concentration of the dye molecules have been optimized by the ray tracing simulation program based on Mie scattering theory using a Monte Carlo method. The screen containing the particles of optimum condition exhibits the wide viewing angle, the well-controlled color balance, and the high sharpness level at the same time. The contrast level of the projected image in ambient light is improved by controlling the concentration of the dye molecules. This paper describes the optimization obtained theoretically and experimentally, and demonstrates the advantage of Blue Ocean screen.
We have proposed the highly scattering optical transmission (HSOT) polymer, and have applied it to a high efficiency backlight for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). It is an important candidate for new various optical devices. In the present work, the multiple scattering modeling simulation has been developed. Also the effect of adjacent particles inside the HSOT polymer is demonstrated. It follows that the numerical calculation considering the effect of adjacent particles has precisely reproduced multiple scattering phenomena inside the HSOT polymer. For an application of HSOT polymer to LCD backlighting system, the optimal design of illuminating property was conducted by determining the internal particle condition
We have developed a highly scattering optical transmission (HSOT) polymer, and have succeeded in applying it to a highly efficient backlight in liquid crystal displays (LCDs). In the present work, a multiple scattering modeling simulation has been developed. Also the effects of adjacent particles inside the HSOT polymer are demonstrated. Although Mie scattering theory is based on the assumption that there exists one particle, light scattering intensity profiles are extended by adjacent particles in measurement data. In order to improve the multiple scattering modeling simulation, light scattering intensity profiles calculated by Mie scattering theory are modified by using the experimental correction function. It follows that the numerical calculation improved by taking account of the adjacent particles has precisely reproduced multiple scattering phenomena inside the HSOT polymer. Based upon the results of multiple scattering analysis, an optimal design has been developed and applied to an LCD backlight system. By altering the internal particle condition, uniformity of color and brightness on the top face of the backlight can has been achieved
Absorption spectra of lanthanideions in perfluorinated (PF) plastic solution were measured, and the radiative properties were determined by the absorption measurements and the Judd- Ofelt theory. Fluorescence spectrum of Nd3+ in PF plastic solution from 900 nm to 1350 nm, pumped at 580 nm, were measured for the first time. Lasing properties of a rhodamine 6G-doped graded-index plastic optical fiber laser (GI-POFL) and a rod laser were investigated. All measurements demonstrated the superior performance of the GI-POFL. This paper also discusses the lasing properties on the basis of near-field pattern measurements.
Optical polymers which exhibit no birefringence with any orientation of polymer chains are desirable to realize high performance optical devices that handle polarized light. We defined such polymers as 'zero-birefringence polymer' and demonstrated two methods for synthesizing the zero- birefringence polymers: the random copolymerization method and the anisotropic molecule dopant method. Orientational birefringence is compensated by random copolymerization using a positive and a negative birefringence monomers at specified ratio in the random copolymerization method. Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-benzyl methacrylate) synthesized by this method showed no orientational birefringence with any orientation degree. In the anisotropic molecule dopant method, orientational birefringence of polymers is compensated by doping with 3 wt percent of trans-stilbene as the anisotropic molecule. Furthermore, we demonstrated the isotropic particle dopant method to reduce orientational birefringence of polymers. Orientation birefringence for polymethyl methacrylate film was decreased by approximately 20 percent by doping with 2 wt percent of silica particle with an average diameter of 7 nm as the isotropic particle dopant.
We report on the lasing action of the graded-index polymer optical fibers containing dyes, such as Rhodamine B, Rhodamine 6G, Perylene Orange, and Pyrromethene 567. These dyes have been incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate- co-2-hydroxythyl methacrylate). These fibers were transversely pumped at 532 nm with a frequency-doubled Q- switched Nd:YAG laser. Slope efficiency of 24 percent and output of 1.2 mJ were obtained with a Rhodamine 6G-doped fiber. A lifetime of 200,000 pulses at 10 Hz was achieved with a Rhodamine B-doped fiber. GI POF containing a Nd- chelate have also been fabricated. The absorption spectrum of the fiber exhbit3ed several strong bands in the visible and IR regions. We have observed IR fluorescence of the Nd3+ ion of the fiber at room temperature when it was pumped with an Ar+-pumped dye laser at 580 nm. The Judd-Ofelt theory was applied to the absorption spectrum of Nd3+ in polymer to determine the Judd-Ofelt parameters. From the theory, various radiative properties, such as transition probability, branching ratio, and emission cross section for various emission levels, have been determined and reported.
We proposed highly scattering optical transmission (HSOT) polymers and applied it to a light pipe of a backlighting system for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The HSOT polymer backlighting system having not only approximately twice the brightness but also twice the efficiency of the conventional one was realized based on analysis of multiple scattering in the HSOT polymers. The problem of color dispersion which had been believed to be the nature of scattering phenomenon was solved by optimizing the heterogeneous structures in the HSOT polymers. As a result, the HSOT polymer backlighting system with sufficient color uniformity was achieved. In addition, the HSOT polymer backlighting system was composed of fewer parts than those of the conventional transparent one. The HSOT polymer backlighting system is suitable for recent thin LCDs because of these advantages.
Amplification characteristics of graded-index (GI) type organic dye doped polymer optical fiber amplifiers (POFAs) are discussed. As an organic dye for optical amplification, Rhodamine 6G, Rhodamine B, and Perylene Red are doped in the core region of polymer optical fibers (POFs). These POFA can obtain optical gain in the visible region of wavelength from 570 nm to 620 nm. POFA is promising for extraordinary high power optical amplification in comparison with rare-earth ions doped silica fiber amplifier. For example, output power of 1 kW with a gain of 30 dB can be obtained by using a Rhodamine B doped POFA at a low dye concentration of 1 ppm. Additionally, a novel solid-state POFA amplifier system is demonstrated.
An organic dye (Rhodamine B) doped polymer optical fiber amplifier (POFA) of the graded- index (GI) type was successfully prepared for the first time. The GI-POFA of only 500 mm in length gave 27 dB in gain at 591 nm of signal wavelength. Additionally, absorption cross section and emission cross section of Rhodamine B in PMMA matrix were estimated, which were required to analyze amplification mechanism in the POFA.
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