Non-destructive dissipation of excess optical energy

摘要

Optical energy in excess of that which is properly coupled into the core of an optical fiber is non-destructively redirected and benignly dissipated so as to minimize damage in a fiber coupled system.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
an optical fiber assembly, comprising an optical fiber and an optical energy redirection and scattering apparatus; and a light source, configured to focus and direct optical energy into the optical fiber of the optical fiber assembly through an air-to-fiber interface of the optical fiber; wherein the optical fiber comprises a core and a cladding and is configured to receive optical energy from the light source within a fiber acceptance angle of the optical fiber through the air-to-fiber interface of the optical fiber; wherein the optical energy redirection and scattering apparatus is configured to receive optical energy from the light source outside the fiber acceptance angle of the optical fiber, and the optical energy redirection and scattering apparatus comprises a narrow portion, a tapered portion, and a scattering portion; wherein the narrow portion is fused to the optical fiber proximate to an entrance of the optical fiber, and wherein the tapered portion and the scattering portion are separated from the optical fiber; wherein the scattering portion is configured to diffuse optical energy received in the optical energy redirection and scattering apparatus at a distance away from the optical fiber to avoid damage to the optical fiber by the optical energy from the light source outside the fiber acceptance angle of the optical fiber.