Enhancing side illumination of plastic optical fiber by using TiO₂ particles and CO₂ laser

Plastic optical fiber (POF) is highly appreciated for its applications in glowing textiles. However, fabricating thin POF with good side illuminating effect is a challenge due to the complicated manufacturing processes. CO₂ laser treatment is normally applied to enhance the surface roughness without significant influence on other properties of materials. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is widely studied for its high photo activity and thermal stability. The surface modification combined with TiO₂ particles and CO₂ laser treatment was carried out to investigate the side illuminating effect of POF. The images of surface morphology show that TiO₂ particles reduce the thermal damage of POF surface during CO₂ laser treatment. The results from side illumination testing prove that the employment of TiO₂ particles, combined with CO₂ laser treatment, could enhance the side illumination of POF for longer lasting application. Cyclic CO₂ laser treatment can decrease the heat accumulation in POF and may have adverse effect on side illumination. The investigation of tensile testing indicates that only the strain value is more influenced by laser treatment due to the brittleness and low thermal stability of POF material.