Abstract: A device for removing heat from a fiber-optic package having at least one optical element includes a terminated fiber for diverting excess optical power away from the optical element and an energy dissipating element having a capability to absorb the optical power from the terminated fiber and a high thermal conductivity sufficient to distribute heat generated from absorption of the optical power.

Abstract: A lensed fiber includes an optical fiber and a lens having a neck region and a convex region formed at an end of the optical fiber. The neck region has an overall diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the optical fiber. In one embodiment, the neck region is tapered.

Abstract: A device for removing heat from a fiber-optic package having at least one optical element includes a terminated fiber for diverting excess optical power away from the optical element and an energy dissipating element having a capability to absorb the optical power from the terminated fiber and a high thermal conductivity sufficient to distribute heat generated from absorption of the optical power.

Abstract: A tapered lensed fiber includes a tapered multimode fiber having a gradient-index core and an optical fiber attached to the tapered multimode fiber. A method for forming a tapered lensed fiber includes attaching an optical fiber to a multimode fiber having a gradient-index core, applying heat to a surface of the multimode fiber, and pulling the multimode fiber into a taper. The method also allows for forming a tapered polarization-maintaining fiber while preserving stress rods and polarization isolation properties of the polarization-maintaining fiber.

Abstract: A tapered lensed fiber includes a tapered multimode fiber having a gradient-index core and an optical fiber attached to the tapered multimode fiber. A method for forming a tapered lensed fiber includes attaching an optical fiber to a multimode fiber having a gradient-index core, applying heat to a surface of the multimode fiber, and pulling the multimode fiber into a taper. The method also allows for forming a tapered polarization-maintaining fiber while preserving stress rods and polarization isolation properties of the polarization-maintaining fiber.

Abstract: A focusing lensed fiber includes an optical fiber terminated with a lens. The lens has a distance to beam waist greater than Rayleigh range. A method for forming a lensed fiber includes resistibly heating a selected region of a glass fiber for a predetermined time and pulling on the glass fiber while resistibly heating to form a convex surface at the selected region.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting a fusion process includes a first chamber and a second chamber which maintains an atmosphere that is substantially free of oxygen. A closeable passage connects the second chamber and the first chamber and selectively provides substantial isolation of the second chamber from the first chamber. A filament normally disposed in the second chamber is moveable between the second chamber and the first chamber when the closeable passage is in an open position.

Abstract: A device for dissipating optical power from an optical component having a functional element includes a terminated fiber adapted to be coupled to the functional element so as to receive a light beam from the functional element and a dissipating element which absorbs the light beam from the terminated fiber, converts the absorbed light beam into thermal energy, and dissipates the thermal energy.

Abstract: A tapered lensed fiber includes a tapered multimode fiber having a gradient-index core and an optical fiber attached to the tapered multimode fiber. A method for forming a tapered lensed fiber includes attaching an optical fiber to a multimode fiber having a gradient-index core, applying heat to a surface of the multimode fiber, and pulling the multimode fiber into a taper. The method also allows for forming a tapered polarization-maintaining fiber while preserving stress rods and polarization isolation properties of the polarization-maintaining fiber.