Mirror-embedded light transmission medium and fabrication method of same

1. A mirror-embedded light transmission medium, comprising:

a light transmission medium including a light transmission layer, light being transmitted through the light transmission layer;

a rough surface which terminates the light transmission layer, a direction of the rough surface being parallel or oblique to a light transmission direction of the light transmission layer;

a reflection enhancing layer that adherently covers the rough surface; and

a smooth surface formed over the reflection enhancing layer, the smooth surface reflecting the light transmitted through the light transmission layer.

2. The mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

the light transmission medium is mounted on a substrate in such a manner that the light transmission direction is parallel to a surface of the substrate.

3. The mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

the direction of the rough surface is orthogonal to the rough surface and parallel to the light transmission direction of the light transmission layer.

4. The mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

the direction of the rough surface is orthogonal to the rough surface and oblique to the light transmission direction of the light transmission layer.

5. The mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

difference between the refractive index of the reflection enhancing layer and the refractive index of the light transmission layer is within ±0.1.

6. The mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

the reflection enhancing layer is made of a thermoset resin or a photocurable resin.

7. The mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

the reflection enhancing layer is made of a thermoplastic resin.

8. The mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a light reflecting film that covers the smooth surface, the light reflecting film being a metal film or a multilayer film.

9. The mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

the light transmission medium is an optical waveguide or an optical fiber.

10. The mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 1 , wherein:

modulus of elasticity of the light transmission layer is 1 GPa or less.

11. A fabrication method of a mirror-embedded light transmission medium which comprises a light transmission layer for transmitting light therethrough, the method including the steps of:

forming a rough surface for terminating the light transmission layer by cutting, a direction of the rough surface being parallel or oblique to a light transmission direction of the light transmission layer;

forming a reflection enhancing layer that adherently covers the rough surface; and

forming a smooth surface over the reflection enhancing layer, the smooth surface reflecting the light transmitted through the light transmission layer.

12. The fabrication method of the mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 11 , wherein the step of forming the smooth surface includes the step of:

shaping the reflection enhancing layer by means of a shaping member having a smooth surface.

13. The fabrication method of the mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 12 , wherein the step of forming the smooth surface further includes the step of:

removing the shaping member from the reflection enhancing layer.

14. The fabrication method of the mirror-embedded light transmission medium according to claim 12 , wherein the step of forming the smooth surface further includes the steps of:

preapplying a light reflecting film over the smooth surface of the shaping member;

transferring the preapplied light reflecting film onto the exposed surface of the reflection enhancing layer; and

removing the shaping member from the transferred light reflecting film.

15. A light transmission medium, comprising:

a light transmission layer configured to transmit light therethrough in a light transmission direction, the light transmission layer terminating in a rough surface, wherein a direction orthogonal to the rough surface is disposed parallel or oblique to the light transmission direction of the light transmission layer;

a reflection enhancing layer configured to adherently cover the rough surface; and

a smooth surface formed over the reflection enhancing layer, the smooth surface configured to reflect light transmitted through the light transmission layer.

16. The light transmission medium according to claim 15 , wherein:

the direction of the rough surface is parallel to the light transmission direction of the light transmission layer.

17. The light transmission medium according to claim 15 , wherein:

the direction of the rough surface is oblique to the light transmission direction of the light transmission layer.

18. The light transmission medium according to claim 15 , wherein at least one of:

a difference between the refractive index of the reflection enhancing layer and the refractive index of the light transmission layer is within ±0.1, and

a modulus of elasticity of the light transmission layer is 1 GPa or less.

19. The light transmission medium according to claim 15 , wherein:

the reflection enhancing layer includes at least one of: a thermoset resin, a photocurable resin, and a thermoplastic resin.

20. The light transmission medium according to claim 15 , further comprising:

a light reflecting film that covers the smooth surface, the light reflecting film including at least one of a metal film and a multilayer film.