Abstract: A ferrule and method are presented that fuses optical fibers, capillaries and the like to ferrules while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule and minimizing stresses within the assembly. Reduced deformation and stress is accomplished by providing high contact angles in a symmetrical, short section of fusion in fusing the component carried by the ferrule to the ferrule. It is particularly applicable to hermetic terminations of polymer clad fiber optics where irregular glass fusion joints cause irregular light leakage at the fiber launch but benefits are significant when used for other fiber and capillary architectures as well.

Abstract: It is often desirable to efficiently couple laser foci that are dimensionally large to dimensionally small optical fibers. A fiber fused in a lower refractive index fiber is disclosed. The fiber/ferrule construct is characterized by having no taper of the fiber in the ferrule and a negative lens shape at a fiber/ferrule face. This construct enable the coupling of imparting rays that fall outside of the fiber core into the transmission path of the fiber. Where the laser systems are integrated in a manner that precludes altering the focusing optic, such as in surgical laser systems, or where the laser's beam focal properties are such that reducing the focal spot diameter is impractical for fiber coupling, modification of the optical fiber input geometry offers a means of customizing the laser-to-fiber interface for applications involving different fiber diameters.

Abstract: A fused silica capillary presenting a bore diameter in the range of approximately 1 ?m to approximately 500 ?m, a glass wall with a thickness ranging from approximately ?m up to approximately 500 ?m that is coated with approximately 10 ?m to 50 ?m of plastic cladding polymer is polymerized from solutions comprised of the of the following formulations: (a) monomer A, 10-80% by weight, or preferably 30-60% by weight: (b) monomer B, 0-80% by weight, or preferably 30-60% by weight; (c) methyl methacrylate, 0-90% by weight, or preferably 40-70% by weight (d) a free radical initiator, 1.0-3.0% by weight, preferably 1.5-2.0% by weight; (e) an adhesion promoter, 0-3.0% by weight, preferably 0.5-2.0% by weight; and (f) an antioxidant, 0-3.0% by weight, preferably 0.025-0.05% by weight.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a linearly or non-linearly tapered bore, with minor undulations within the bore wall, in vitreous tubing includes a laser and elements for focusing the laser onto the vitreous tubing. The vitreous tubing is rotated in the laser beam and is moved in the laser beam to provide a taper in the interior bore. The power of the laser beam is controlled and a lens, to provide a desired width of the beam at the vitreous tubing to produce the desired features, appropriately focuses the laser beam.