Plastic Optical Fiber - POF
A typical plastic optical fiber ("POF") consists of an inner acrylic plastic core coated with a thin cladding of fluorinated polymer. Since the refractive index of the outer cladding is lower than the core, light entering one end of a fiber reflects along the interior core material at the interface of the core and cladding. Light passes through the length of the fiber in a zigzag path on its way to the other end. Plastic optical fibers have advantages over glass optical fibers in cost, weight, durability, and flexibility, that permitted their use in several applications.
Some trials to integrate POF in textiles structure were realized by Grado Zero Espace, that manufactured a garment inserting the POF, together with textile fibers, into the weaving structure. The result was a jacket, Luciferas, having a red luminescent effect on the sleeves but with several problems of rigidity, breathability and comfort on the skin, that incited GZE into continuing its studies on new luminescent devices applicable to textile sector.
