Integral optical fiber coupler
US4729621A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4203
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for transferring high energy electromagnetic radiation from a laser to an optical fiber, which comprises a cone-shaped coupler having a wide proximal end and a narrow distal end, wherein the proximal end is in the form of a convex surface which acts as a focussing lens adapted to receive radiation from a laser and to transmit said radiation into and through said optical fiber and the distal end is attached to the input end of the optical fiber to form an integral assembly therewith, said cone-shaped coupler having a taper angle .theta. defined by the equation ##EQU1## wherein N.A. is the numerical aperture of the fiber material and .mu. is the refractive index of the material of the coupler at the wavelength of the incident radiation. A process for removing an obstruction by laser surgery using said device is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.