Systems and methods for forming energy relays with transverse energy localization

A method for forming an energy relay comprising:

• providing first and second energy relay materials;
• forming an arrangement of the first and second energy relay materials in a transverse plane of the energy relay, the arrangement allowing for energy to be transported along a longitudinal plane of the energy relay material such that the energy relay has a substantially higher energy transport efficiency in the longitudinal plane than in the transverse plane;
• accommodating the arrangement of first and second energy relay materials in a constrained space;
• processing the arrangement while accommodated in the constrained space to form a fused structure;
• the fused structure having a transverse dimension defined by the constrained space;
• and
• removing the fused structure of energy relay material from the constrained space after the processing step;
• wherein the constrained space is defined by a plurality of abutting adjustable walls extending along a longitudinal direction and each comprising an end portion and a side portion, and wherein the adjustable walls are configured to vary a transverse dimension of at least a portion of the constrained space along the longitudinal direction by adjusting positions of the adjustable walls relative to one another in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein adjusting comprises abutting and sliding the end portion of a first wall against the side portion of a second wall in a first direction, and abutting and sliding the side portion of the first wall against the end portion of a third wall in a second direction.