| CPC G02B 6/02395 (2013.01) [C03B 37/01211 (2013.01); C03B 37/01225 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
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1. An apparatus for scattering light, the apparatus comprising:
an optical fiber having a length and an outer surface; and
a sleeve having a first end and a second end, wherein the sleeve has a length shorter than the length of the optical fiber, coupled around the optical fiber;
wherein the optical fiber comprises:
a core; and
a cladding around the core, the cladding having a refractive index;
wherein the sleeve comprises a fiber-optic material having an equal or higher volumetric coefficient of thermal expansion relative to the optical fiber and having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the cladding,
wherein the fiber-optic material is substantially polymer-free,
wherein the sleeve comprises inner and outer surfaces, at least a portion of the outer surface of the sleeve is roughened to scatter the light out of the sleeve through the roughened outer surface, and
wherein the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the optical fiber exclude a gap and bubbles of air or gas therebetween, along an entirety of the length of the sleeve between the first end and the second end.
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