Directionally reflective fiber arrays were woven with polymer fibers. Fiber cross sections produced using a tricomponent fiber extruder comprised standard circular as well as right angle retro-reflection features that run the entire length of the fiber. The fiber features are formed by an extrusion process where the polymer fiber material is forced through a series of plates resulting in the cross section having the desired shape. The woven fiber arrays were evaluated for their optical properties. Results for spectral reflectivity and spatial reflectance signature properties are presented. A comparison of the results obtained for the woven fiber arrays and those obtained for bundles of similar fibers are discussed. The implementation of fiber arrays through the use of weaving techniques allows for the realization of a number of unique and useful optical effects. As evidenced by the spectral measurements, the color of the woven arrays can be controlled by a number of means: for example by the inclusion of dyes, nanoparticles, and by post-processing applications of thin films. The present work represents a logical extension of previously reported experiments with unwoven fibers with retro-reflective features1.

Date Published: 7 September 2011
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 8120, Photonic Fiber and Crystal Devices: Advances in Materials and Innovations in Device Applications V, 81200J (7 September 2011); doi: 10.1117/12.892775

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8120:
Photonic Fiber and Crystal Devices: Advances in Materials and Innovations in Device Applications V
Shizhuo Yin; Ruyan Guo, Editor(s)