Power laser delivery fiber system with enhanced damage threshold

摘要

A flexible fiber optic delivery system for medical and industrial applications is described that can transmit high laser power densities and optical images. A parabolic-index profile of a graded-index fiber is perturbed so as to prevent strong localization of a laser beam in the fiber's recurring focal regions. This permits transmission of high laser powers without danger of fiber damage. An additional gain in carrying capacity for the system is achieved by using a wavefront perturbation system between the laser source and the graded-index fiber. Optical image transmission is achieved by using a measured perturbation to a parabolic-index profile of the graded-index fiber with a prescribed length and a wavefront reconstruction system in combination with the wavefront perturbation system. The system has an increased laser induced damage threshold and can transmit highly focused optical images.