| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for coupling high intensity light (82) to a low melting temperature optical fiber (80) which uses a high temperature, low NA optical fiber (84), a spatial filter between a source of high intensity light and a low melting temperature, low NA optical fiber. The source of light may be a high intensity arc lamp or may be a high NA, high melting temperature optical fiber transmitting light from a remote light source. The spatial filter not only allows the low, melting temperature optical fiber to be removed from the focus point of the high intensity light, but also dissipates unguided modes of light transmission before they enter the low temperature optical fiber. The spatial filter may be placed between the focus of a high intensity light source and a low melting temperature optical fiber, and alternatively may be placed between a high NA, high melting temperature optical fiber and a low temperature, low NA optical fiber. The source of high intensity light may be a direct source focused to a spot of less than 2 mm or alternatively may be from a second single fiber coupled to a high intensity light source. If the numerical aperture of the receiving fiber is less than that of the spatial filter, a spaced apart configuration is required with a mechanical heat sink (66) if the light intensity is higher than about 400 mW/mm2.</p> |
