title: Light losses from scattering in luminescent solar concentrator waveguides.
abstract: The reductions in the transmission of emission originating from a fluorophore dissolved in a polymer matrix due to light scattering were compared in two forms of planar waveguides used as luminescent solar concentrators: a thin film of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) spin-coated on a glass plate and a solid PMMA plate of the same dimensions. The losses attributable to light scattering encountered in the waveguide consisting of the thin film of polymer coated on a glass plate were not detectable within experimental uncertainty, whereas the losses in the solid polymer plate were significant. The losses in the solid plate are interpreted as arising from light-scattering centers comprising minute bubbles of vapor/gas, incomplete polymerization or water clusters that are introduced during or after the thermally induced polymerization process.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Breukers
authors.forename: Gerald J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Hedley L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Stirrat
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Trevor A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Kenneth P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Ghiggino
authors.forename: Sebastiampillai G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Nicola M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Winch
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kay