Laser illuminator

Abstract

An illuminator including a differential optical radiator and a laser fiber disposed within the differential optical radiator. The differential optical radiator includes a first region that has a first level of reflectivity and a first level of transmissivity and a second region that has a second, higher level of reflectivity and a second, lower level of transmissivity. The first and second regions are positioned such and their reflectivities and transmissivities are chosen such that the radiator produces a substantially uniform pattern of illumination from the first and second regions. In another embodiment, the illuminator includes an expandable radiator and a laser fiber disposed within the expandable radiator. The reflectivity of the expandable radiator is such that the illumination at the outer surface of the expandable radiator is substantially uniform.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.