Optical collimator and method for making same

A method for forming an optical collimator, the method comprising the steps of:

• preparing an optical fiber having a cladding of an end thereof removed thereby leaving an exposed end of the optical fiber;
• preparing a ferrule, coating the exposed end of the optical fiber with glue, inserting the exposed end of the optical fiber into the ferrule, and baking the combined ferrule and optical fiber to cure the glue;
• preparing an outer tube having a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, having a greater inner diameter than the first receiving portion, coating the ferrule with glue, inserting the ferrule into the first receiving portion, and baking the combined outer tube and ferrule to cure the glue;
• preparing a metal sleeve and a Graded Index lens, coating the Graded Index lens with glue, inserting the Graded Index lens into the sleeve, and baking the combined sleeve and Graded Index lens to cure the glue;
• inserting the sleeve into the second receiving portion of the outer tube, and adjusting a position of the sleeve to obtain optimal optical positioning of the Graded Index lens relative to the optical fiber;
• and
• welding the sleeve to the outer tube.

An optical collimator comprising:

• an optical fiber having an exposed end;
• a ferrule receiving the exposed end of the optical fiber;
• a GRIN lens spaced from said ferrule in an axial direction;
• a sleeve receiving said GRIN lens with an inner end of the GRIN lens axially extending beyond said sleeve;
• and
• an outer tube defining a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion along said axial direction;
• wherein
• the first receiving portion retainably and intimately egageably receives the ferrule with an inner end of said ferrule extends beyond said first receiving portion toward the GRIN lens, and the second receiving portion retainably and intimately engageably receives the sleeve.