High-power fused collimator and associated methods
US7146075B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/322
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for making a high-power fused collimator, and a fused collimator made thereby, are provided. A fused collimator is provided that includes an end of a stripped end portion of an optical fiber fused to a proximal face of a silica lens. In an embodiment, a toroidal element is positioned in surrounding relation to the fiber's stripped end portion, and a joint formed by the fiber end and the toroidal element proximal face is substantially surrounded with a solder glass in a melted form. A cross-sectional area of the solder glass decreases proximally from a distal edge adjacent the lens to a proximal edge located along the fiber's stripped end portion. Then the solder glass is permitted to harden, forming a fused collimator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.