Method and apparatus for concetrating the energy of laser diode beams

摘要

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for concentrating the energy of laser diode beams (24) by imaging them to obtain a superimposed image and a combined numerical aperture at a focal plane (26) and by guiding them between reflective boundaries (70, 72) to maintain a lesser second numerical aperture at the focal plane. The combined numerical aperture preferably matches the second numerical aperture so that the energy can be received into the entrance end (102) of optical fibers (100) whose numerical apertures also match the second numerical aperture. A described embodiment utilizes collimating lenses (36) and an off-axis parabolic reflector (38). The exit ends (108) of the optical fibers can be grouped and fractionally magnified into a concentrated energy pattern. The final image can be imposed into a single optical fiber (30) for passage along remote or convoluted optical paths.