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AssigneeLightPath Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPierre Bernard, Mark A. Fitch, Paul Fournier, Marc Farrell Harris, William P. Walters
Estimating the term…
A fiber collimator is provided, comprising at least two optical components, one of the optical components (e.g., an optical element such as a collimating lens or a plano-plano pellet) having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than the surface of the other optical component(s) (e.g., at least one optical fiber). The optical components are joined together by fusion-splicing, using a laser. A gradient in the index of refraction is provided in at least that portion of the surface of the optical element to which the optical fiber(s) is fusion-spliced or at the tip of the optical fiber. The gradient is either formed prior to or during the fusion-splicing. Back-reflection is minimized, pointing accuracy is improved, and power handling ability is increased.
A fiber collimator comprising an optical element and at least one optical fiber fusion-spliced to a surface thereof, said surface of said optical element provided with a gradient in index of refraction at least where said at least one optical fiber is fusion-spliced thereto.
A method for fusion-splicing at least one optical fiber to an optical element with a laser beam, said optical element having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than a surface of said at least one optical fiber, said method comprising:
A method of increasing power handling capacity and improving pointing accuracy in a fiber collimator comprising an optical element and at least one optical fiber secured to a portion of a surface thereof, said method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.