Fiber bundle homogenizer and method utilizing same
US4932747A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/0994
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided to homogenize the intensity profile of the beam emitted by an excimer laser. The excimer laser beam is collected by a closely packed ultraviolet-grade optical fiber bundle array having its individual fibers intermingled in a random or preconceived format to result in an intermixing of the light from the individual fiber cores to produce a uniform intensity profile. The output ends of the fibers are gathered or fused, and optionally tapered. before being cleaved to provide an output face that is custom shaped for a desired illumination pattern. The flexible nature of the fiber bundle allows for remote materials processing applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.