Investigation of the optical characteristics of polymer fiber waveguides containing luminescent additives and subjected to sideways pumping

Experimental and theoretical investigations were made of the special features of the optical characteristics of active polymer fiber waveguides with a core made of polymethylmethacrylate containing naphthalene and POPOP additives, and with a cladding made of polyfluoroacrylate. These fibers were subjected to sideways ultraviolet excitation. The dependence of the luminescence intensity at the fiber exit on its length within the excitation zone was determined. The shape of the scattering indicatrix at the fiber exit depended strongly on the depth of penetration of the exciting radiation governed by the wavelength. It was postulated that similar behavior should be observed on exposure of such fibers to particles of diiferent penetrating powers.