High-power fused collimator and associated methods

A method for making a high-power fused collimator comprising the steps of:

• providing a fused collimator comprising an end of a stripped end portion of an optical fiber fused to a proximal face of a silica lens;
• substantially surrounding the fiber stripped end portion proximal of the silica lens proximal face with a ferrule, a distal face thereof adjacent the silica lens proximal face;
• applying an adhesive to a proximal face of the ferrule in surrounding relation to the fiber;
• surrounding a proximal portion of the lens and a distal portion of the ferrule with a solder glass inner casing;
• and
• substantially surrounding the solder glass inner casing with a silica sleeve outer casing.

A high-power fused collimator comprising:

• a fused collimator comprising a silica lens and an optical fiber having a stripped end portion having an end fused to a proximal face of the silica lens;
• a ferrule positioned in substantially surrounding relation to the fiber stripped end portion proximal of the silica lens proximal face, a distal face thereof adjacent the silica lens proximal face;
• applying an adhesive to a proximal face of the ferrule in surrounding relation to the fiber;
• surrounding a proximal portion of the lens and a distal portion of the ferrule with a solder glass inner casing;
• and
• substantially surrounding the solder glass inner casing with a silica sleeve outer casing.