Coherent light generators – Particular resonant cavity – Specified cavity component
Patent
1993-05-03
1994-05-24
Epps, Georgia Y.
Coherent light generators
Particular resonant cavity
Specified cavity component
372 92, 372 6, 372 57, 385 49, 385 39, H01S 308
Patent
active
053156145
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for coupling laser energy into an optical fiber employs a laser with a concave reflector and a planar reflector, a plano-convex focusing lens and an optical fiber array. A divergent laser beam is emitted from the laser and is focused to a beam waist by the plano-convex lens. Within the beam waist exists a soft focal plane wherein the laser energy is relatively homogeneous across the beam's cross section. An optical fiber array is placed within the beam waist such that the soft focal plane substantially matches the size and shape of the proximal end of the optical fiber array. Thus, laser energy is coupled to the optical fiber array at the soft focal plane within the beam waist at a fluence level below the fluence damage threshold of the optical fiber array and in a relatively homogeneous fashion across the cross section of the optical fiber array.
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Donnelly Michael B.
Geraci Dean J.
Grace Kenneth P.
Epps Georgia Y.
The Spectranetics Corporation
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