Research On The Side-emitting Properties Of Polymer Optical Fiber In Weave Structures

Polymer optical fiber fabrics are made by interlacing polymer optical fibers (POFs) andconventional textile yarns on a weaving machine to create changeable luminous patterns andcolors on the fabric using the side-emitting properties of POFs, and that can be served as lightingdecorations, stage costumes, security cautions, medical devices, flexible fabric display, etc. Inthis thesis, we study two parts based on our existing research, the first one the differences amongthe side-emitting intensities of bending POFs in different viewing angles, the second oneestablish a database system for selecting weave structure corresponding to the luminous intensityof POF fabrics.First, the mechanism of side-illuminating of the bending POFs was analyzed, and the angulardistribution of light emitted from the same point of POFs was deduced. The results indicate thatthe side-emitting intensity of bending POFs increases significantly within the theoretical range ofemitting light, consistent with the theoretical angular distribution. However, the results of actualfabric were affected by the emitting light around the measured points, the changes of measuringarea of POFs, and the covering effect of the warp yarns in POF fabric. This work would providean effective path for designing the different luminous patterns from different viewing angles.Second, two types of weave databases were established based on weaving damage or notrespectively, i.e. the relation for the luminous intensity to weave structure, emitting color and thedistance from the light source. As example, a figured double-face POF fabric was designed andproduced by applying the two databases. The face and back sides of the designed POF fabric notonly has different decorative effect, but also has the ability of showing different luminouspatterns in a static or dynamic manner.Finally, based on SQL (Structured Query Language), SQL Server (a type of relational databasesystem) and Visual C++6.0, a database system corresponding to the weave database wasestablished, and a software of database system was designed and developed preliminarily. It notonly achieves systematic management of the weave database, but also provides a simple and convenient tool for the weave database to save, update, seek and so on. By using this software ofdatabase system, the weaves corresponding to the luminous intensity of POF fabric can be foundout quickly, combine with the design of pattern, color, the luminous intensity difference andcircuit, the POF jacquard fabric of side-illuminating figures with a relative degree of lightness ordarkness effect could be created directly.