Fiber Optic Lighting Principle

Abstract: In lighting technology, fiber optic lighting is a new lighting technology that stands out. This article specifically explains the principles and characteristics of fiber optic lighting. It also focuses on introducing the products and applications of fiber optic lighting.

Keywords: Optical fiber Optical fiber lighting Products and applications

1. Overview

In lighting technology, fiber optic lighting is a new lighting technology that stands out. Because it has flexible light transmission, is safe and reliable, it is widely used in industry, scientific research, medicine and landscape design, and has formed various products in the domestic and foreign markets. This article only focuses on the fiber optic lighting technology, products and applications in landscape design based on the limited knowledge of personal learning and practice, in order to seek advice from peer experts.

2. The principle of fiber optic lighting

The fiber optic lighting system consists of a light source, a reflector, a color filter and an optical fiber, as shown in Figure 1.

When the light source passes through the reflector, a beam of nearly parallel light is formed. Due to the effect of the color filter, the beam is turned into colored light. When the beam enters the optical fiber, the colored light is sent to the predetermined place along the path of the optical fiber.

Because light is lost on the way, the light source is usually very strong. Commonly used light sources are around 150~250W. In order to obtain a nearly parallel beam, the light point should be as small as possible, close to a point light source.

The reflector is an important factor in obtaining a nearly parallel light beam, so aspherical reflectors are generally used.

The color filter is a part that changes the color of the light beam. According to the needs, the corresponding color light source can be obtained by replacing the filters of different colors.

Optical fiber is the main body of the optical fiber lighting system. The function of optical fiber is to transmit or emit light to a predetermined place. Optical fiber is divided into two types: end-emitting and body-emitting. The former is that the light beam is transmitted to the end point and then illuminated by the taillight, while the latter is the light source itself, forming a flexible light column.

As for optical fiber materials, it must be within the visible light range and the light energy loss should be minimal to ensure the lighting quality. However, it is impossible to have no loss in practice, so the best optical fiber transmission distance is about 30m.

Optical fiber has three types: single-strand, multi-strand, and mesh. For single-strand optical fiber, its diameter is 6 to 20 mm. It can also be divided into body-emitting and end-emitting. For multi-strand optical fiber, all are end-emitting. The diameter of multi-strand optical fiber is generally 0.5 to 3 mm, and the number of strands is usually a few to hundreds.

The mesh optical fiber is composed of thin-diameter body-luminescent optical fibers. It can form a flexible light band.

Theoretically, light travels in a straight line. But in practical applications, people want to change the direction of light. After hundreds of years of unremitting efforts by scientists, optical elements such as lenses and reflectors are used to change the direction of light propagation infinitely. The emergence of fiber optic lighting is based on the finite number of changes in the direction of light propagation, which realizes the flexible propagation of light. Just as a circle becomes a straight line after countless divisions, fiber optic lighting is based on the infinite number of reflections, and the light is transmitted along the path of the optical fiber, realizing flexible propagation. However, the flexible propagation of fiber optic lighting does not change the classical theory of the rectilinear propagation of light.

3. Characteristics of Fiber Optic Lighting

1. Flexible light transmission

Theoretically, light travels in a straight line. However, due to the diversity of practical applications, it is always hoped that the direction of light propagation can be easily changed. Fiber optic lighting meets this requirement. This is one of the characteristics of fiber optic lighting.

2. Separation of light and electricity

In traditional lighting, the light source converts electrical energy into light energy directly, and light and electricity are inseparable. However, electricity is dangerous, so in many occasions, it is hoped that light and electricity can be separated to eliminate various hidden dangers and ensure the safety of lighting. Therefore, the separation of light and electricity is the second characteristic of fiber optic lighting.

4. Composition of Fiber Optic Lighting System

After long-term application and improvement, most of the fiber optic lighting systems have been commercialized.

Fiber optic lighting systems generally consist of three parts: power controller, optical fiber and taillights.

1. Power Controller

The power controller consists of four parts: light source, reflector, color filter and fan.

The commonly used power of the light source is 150w~250w, and the brands of the products include OSRAM, GE and Sykes.

The reflector is made of high temperature resistant silver-coated glass, usually an aspherical reflector.

The change of light beam color is achieved by changing the color filters of different colors, generally there are several colors such as red, yellow, green, blue, etc. The color filter is fixed on the rotatable color wheel, and then the stepper motor is used to realize the change of light beam color.

Since the light source emits a large amount of heat energy, a fan must be used for cooling to ensure the normal operation of the controller.

In order to make fiber optic lighting have more colors and meet a wider range of needs, the ordinary power controller is replaced by an intelligent controller. It can achieve continuous change of light intensity and color, or flash. In the music fountain, it can also change synchronously with the rhythm of the music.

2. Fiber Optic

Optical fiber has formed a series of products, which include end-emitting and body-emitting. They are also divided into single-strand, multi-strand and mesh.

The technical parameters of common optical fibers are shown in Table 1:

3. Taillights

4. For the optical fiber with light at the end, the taillights are generally selected according to the lighting requirements and the artistic effect of decoration. Common taillights include crystal lamps, pavilion lamps, underground lamps, chandeliers, etc.

5. Application of Fiber Optic Lighting

Due to the unique advantages of fiber optic lighting, it has been widely used in various occasions and is being promoted continuously. The current domestic application situation is briefly described as follows:

1. Interior decoration

In interior decoration, volume luminous optical fiber is used to form contour lines. The effect is uniform lighting and smooth colors. Using halo lighting, it has a more three-dimensional effect.

In the hall, the crystal chandelier on the ceiling can simulate the starry sky effect. It flickers, giving people the illusion of the infinite space.

The crystal chandelier on the bar makes it look more gorgeous and unique.

In the bridal chamber, a colorful light edge is formed around the Simmons mattress, adding to the warmth and romance of the new house.

2. Waterscape lighting

Waterscapes lose their charming scenery without lighting. Unsafe lighting brings hidden dangers to visitors. Since fiber optic lighting realizes photoelectric separation, it is an absolutely safe green lighting in waterscapes.

In addition to making the water color more colorful and attractive when illuminating the water body, fiber optic lighting can also be used to form the contour line of the pool, so that the vertical colored water posture and the horizontal pool outline form a coordinated line beauty.

3. Swimming pool

Swimming pools are places where people enter the water, so fiber optic lighting should be the preferred lighting equipment. At the same time, using fiber optics as the dividing line of the swimming lane is both beautiful and clear.

4. Urban Architecture

In lighting projects, the most common application example is to use volumetric luminous optical fiber to form the outline of a building. Especially for a city's image building, the colorful lines make the building outline more magnificent in the night. At the same time, in optical fiber lighting, the light color can be used to make the building change with the seasons.

5. Landscaping

In the landscaping, end-emitting optical fibers are used as pavilion round lights and underground lights, so that green roads can have color changes while being illuminated. On the landscape roads, the end-emitting optical fibers are installed in dots, which increases the interest of the landscape.

Cave lighting

The karst cave is a natural landscape. Since it is not exposed to sunlight, it depends entirely on lights to show its charm. The changing light colors and flexible optical fibers are more useful for irregular karst rocks and lake shores, making the karst cave scenery more charming. The most important thing is to eliminate the hidden dangers of unsafety for tourists.

Lighting of ancient buildings and cultural relics

Under normal lighting, the ultraviolet light will accelerate the aging of books, cultural relics, wooden structures and other buildings. At the same time, electricity will cause the risk of fire. However, using optical fiber lighting is both safe and can achieve the ideal artistic effect.

Inflammable and explosive occasions

In dangerous places such as oil depots and mining areas where fire is strictly prohibited, the use of other types of lighting has the hidden danger of open flames. If you are not careful, it will lead to a disaster. From a safety perspective, fiber optic lighting should be the most ideal lighting because light and electricity are separated.

Utilization of sunlight

In our common use of solar energy, sunlight is converted into heat or electrical energy, but optical fiber can directly utilize sunlight.

Humans are nurtured by sunlight, and the comprehensive spectrum of sunlight is difficult for humans to replicate. Therefore, bringing sunlight directly into the room not only improves the original room lighting, but also restores light to basements, tunnels and other places that never see sunlight.

VI. Summary

Fiber optic lighting is a novel lighting technology. With the maturity of the product and the development of new application areas, it will be more widely used. At the same time, it will continue to improve in the process of popularization, the cost will continue to decrease, and the product will become more mature. Let fiber optic lighting enter the homes of ordinary people as soon as possible and serve the public.