Recent advances in photoluminescent polymer optical fibers

• Photoluminescent polymer optical fibers (PL-POFs) open new application fields. Equations determining the efficiency of PL-POFs are discussed. Recent advances in several PL-POF related applications reviewed. Methods reported for production described. Polymer (POFs) have been utilized since late 1950s. Adding photoluminescence (PL) to fiber considerably widens functionality POFs and opens In recent years, availability laboratory-scale methods with industrialization potential has triggered a surge studies developments promising area PL-POFs. These applications, profiting from addition PL fibers, identified this review as: light harvesting, sensing, color illumination, anti-counterfeiting, random lasing. Progress these fields is foreseen generate need larger quantities therefore large-scale manufacturing processing becoming more relevant. This thus provides an overview most important emerging area, together description key parameters describing performance efficiency.