Optical luminescent display device

Abstract

A luminescent material, such as phosphor, is radiated by energy propagated from the side of an optical fiber, causing the luminescent material to emit visible light. The luminescent material can be of a coincidentally-excited type, requiring the absorption of two wavelengths of radiation to emit visible light. In such a case, two side-emitting optical fibers can be used, with each optical fiber providing one of the needed radiation wavelengths. One embodiment of the invention involves a matrix of optical fibers forming an optical display panel made using coincidentally-excited phosphors. Side-emitting optical fibers are used to simultaneously stimulate a phosphor pixel located between the two fibers, allowing matrix addressing of each pixel individually. The optical display panel is constructed of only optical components. Another embodiment involves an optical switch with coincidentally-excited luminescent material. One radiation is provided by a side-emitting optical fiber. To activate the switch, a second radiation is provided by a laser diode.

1 . A combination comprising: 
 an optical fiber containing a notch, and    a luminescent material,    wherein said notch is configured so as to direct radiant energy within the fiber toward the luminescent material.    
     
     
         2 . An optical luminescent display device, comprising: 
 a luminescent material; and    a side emitting optical fiber adapted for supplying radiant energy to said luminescent material.    
     
     
         3 . An optical luminescent display device, adapted for use with radiant energy source, comprising: 
 an optical fiber;    a luminescent material; and    a notch formed in said optical fiber adapted to direct a first type of radiant energy within said optical fiber toward the luminescent material.    
     
     
         4 . (canceled).  
     
     
         5 . An optical luminescent display device of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said luminescent material requires excitement from a first type of radiant energy to emit visible light.    
     
     
         6 - 18  (canceled).  
     
     
         19 . An optical luminescent display device comprising: 
 an optical fiber;    a luminescent material; and    means for deviating a path of radiation traveling within said optical fiber away from the axis of said optical fiber toward said luminescent material.    
     
     
         20 . A method for causing a luminescent material to emit visible light, comprising: 
 emitting radiant energy into an optical fiber; and    directing said radiant energy toward a luminescent material, said luminescent material emitting visible light when radiated by said radiant energy, via a notch formed in said optical fiber,    wherein said optical fiber is adapted to direct said radiant energy within said optical fiber toward said luminescent material.    
     
     
         21 - 48  (canceled).