Abstract: Optical illuminators comprise optical fibers having a gradient index core and a cladding selected so that a refractive index difference at a core/cladding interface provides a numerical aperture less than, greater than, or equal to a numerical aperture of the gradient index core. In some examples, a maximum refractive index difference in the gradient index core is substantially the same as, less than, or greater than the refractive index difference at the core/cladding interface. Illuminators based on such fibers are configured to produce optical beams with a laser diode or diode array, and to provide stable, approximately Gaussian optical fluxes at a fiber output surface.

Abstract: A device and a method for treating the human body is provided. The method includes generating electromagnetic radiation for example laser radiation, passing the electromagnetic radiation through a graded index optical fiber, the graded index optical fiber outputting the modified electromagnetic radiation and applying the modified electromagnetic radiation to the human body.

Abstract: A device and a method for treating the human body is provided. The method includes generating electromagnetic radiation for example laser radiation, passing the electromagnetic radiation through a graded index optical fiber, the graded index optical fiber outputting the modified electromagnetic radiation and applying the modified electromagnetic radiation to the human body.

Abstract: An optical fiber delivery system having a semiconductor light source that produces an optical output. A plurality of first optical fibers each has an input end and an output end. The input ends are optically coupled to the semiconductor light source to receive the optical output, and the output ends are bundled together. An optical connector positions the input end of a second fiber, relative to the first fiber output ends, to receive the optical output from the first fibers. Either each of the first fibers, or the second fiber, have a tapered segment with a core and a cladding tapered down smoothly in diameter to reduce the spot size of optical output.