Composite polymer fibers

Abstract

A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.

1 . A method of producing an optical body, comprising:
 extruding composite fibers, each composite fiber containing a plurality of scattering fibers, made of a first polymer, dispersed in a filler, made of a second polymer, the second polymer being soluble;   orienting the first polymer so that the first polymer becomes birefringent;   forming a yarn containing the oriented composite fibers;   washing the yarn in a solvent to remove the second polymer;   forming an array of yarn where the array of yarn has a preferred orientation;   saturating the array of yarn with a resin; and   hardening the resin.   
   
   
       2 . The method for producing the optical body recited in  claim 1 , further comprising orienting the first polymer before forming the yarn. 
   
   
       3 . The method for producing the optical body recited in  claim 1 , further comprising orienting the first polymer after forming the yarn. 
   
   
       4 . A method of producing an optical body, comprising:
 extruding composite fibers, each composite fiber containing a plurality of scattering fibers, made of a first polymer, dispersed in a filler, made of a second polymer, at least one of the first and second polymers being orientable;   arranging the composite fibers together; and   fusing the composite fibers to form a fused optical body.   
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , further stretching the composite fibers to as to orient the at least one of the first and second polymers that is orientable. 
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising stretching the composite fibers before fusing the composite fibers. 
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising stretching the composite fibers after fusing the composite fibers. 
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein arranging the composite fibers together comprises arranging the composite fibers to be substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein arranging the composite fibers together comprises forming the composite fibers into at least one tow. 
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein arranging the composite fibers together comprises forming the composite fibers into at least one fiber weave.