High power laser - optical fiber connection system
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for coupling high power laser radiation into an optical fiber while dissipating heat from scattered laser and optical pump radiation comprising:
- (a) an optical fiber with a face for input of laser radiation;
(b) a protective ferrule surrounding a lengthwise portion of said optical fiber extending from said input face, said ferrule substantially transparent to the scattered radiation, said ferrule welded to said fiber in the region of said input face and otherwise separated from said fiber, an air space formed between at least a portion of said ferrule and said fiber; and
(c) a holder surrounding said ferrule, said holder comprised of a material which absorbs the scattered radiation passing through said ferrule and conducts away heat generated from said absorbed scattered radiation.
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Abstract
A system for coupling laser radiation at a high power to an optical fiber while dissipating heat from scattered laser and optical pump radiation, including an optical fiber, a protective ferrule surrounding a portion of the optical fiber extending from the input face of the optical fiber and welded to the fiber in the region of the input face and otherwise separated from the fiber by an air space, and a holder surrounding the ferrule to absorb scattered radiation and dissipate heat.
158 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for coupling high power laser radiation into an optical fiber while dissipating heat from scattered laser and optical pump radiation comprising:
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(a) an optical fiber with a face for input of laser radiation; (b) a protective ferrule surrounding a lengthwise portion of said optical fiber extending from said input face, said ferrule substantially transparent to the scattered radiation, said ferrule welded to said fiber in the region of said input face and otherwise separated from said fiber, an air space formed between at least a portion of said ferrule and said fiber; and (c) a holder surrounding said ferrule, said holder comprised of a material which absorbs the scattered radiation passing through said ferrule and conducts away heat generated from said absorbed scattered radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for coupling high power laser radiation into an optical fiber while dissipating heat from scattered laser and optical pump radiation comprising the steps of:
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(a) focusing laser radiation into an input face of an optical fiber; (b) supporting a lengthwise portion of said optical fiber extending from said input face with a ferrule substantially transparent to scattered radiation, said ferrule welded to said fiber in the region of said input face and otherwise separated from said fiber, an air space formed between at least a portion of said ferrule and said fiber; and (c) providing a light-absorbent and heat-conductive holder fitted around said ferrule, said holder absorbing scattered radiation and conducting away heat generated from said absorbed scattered radiation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification