ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the basic principles of fibre optic lighting using fibre optic cables to transfer light from the source to applications. Fibre optic lighting transfers light from an electrical or solar light source through a bundle of fibres in a cable to the locations where the light is needed. Rapid advances in lighting and appliance technologies have made significant energy reductions possible. The use of automated controls, occupancy sensors, and energy management systems can produce additional savings. Standardization of fibre optic lighting components and modifications of the building codes will enable the usage of fibre optic lighting systems in both old and new buildings. Fibre optic lighting systems using solar rays capture the visible light while excluding the ultraviolet and infrared light, which are separated from the visible wavelengths by the focusing action of lenses and filters. In medical applications, fibre optic lighting is important for delivering illumination to remote parts of the body and for carrying coherent images.
