Modeling light transfer through optical fibers for illumination applications

A calculation model for light transfer through optical fibers was developed. The model comprises an analytical equation and a numericalalgorithm. The numerical algorithm was written using a Monte Carlo ray-tracing method. The algorithm allows the analysis of straight and bent optical fibers and provides losses due to critical angle and total Fresnel reflection as well as an average effective length for bound rays. A flexible format to represent bent fibers was adopted using parametric equations. This format permits several methods of representation for bent fibers. Thus, the algorithm handles bent fibers of any shape and any representation. The procedure is explained in detail and a method to calculate the efficiency of fibers is also presented.