Method and apparatus for fiber delivery of high power laser beams

摘要

In various embodiments, an optical fiber includes a core having a relatively large area selected so as to raise a threshold of stimulated Raman scattering or stimulated Brillouin scattering, or both, the core having a high aspect ratio elongated cross-section and having a first refractive index. The core is narrower in a fast-axis direction and wider in a slow-axis direction, such that the fiber is mechanically flexible in the fast-axis direction and is mechanically rigid in the slow-axis direction.

主权项

1. An optical fiber, comprising:
a core having a high aspect ratio elongated cross-section and having a first refractive index; first and second signal claddings positioned in contact with and sandwiching the core, the first and second signal claddings having a second refractive index; and a third cladding substantially surrounding at least slow-axis edges of the core, the third cladding having a third refractive index, the third cladding in contact with the slow-axis edges of the core; wherein the core is narrower in a fast-axis direction and wider in a slow-axis direction such that the fiber is mechanically flexible in the fast-axis direction and is mechanically rigid in the slow-axis direction.