Abstract: The output radiation from the two-dimensional aperture of a semiconductor laser diode array is efficiently coupled into an optical fiber. The two-dimensional aperture is formed by stacking individual laser diode bars on top of another in a "rack and stack" configuration. Coupling into the fiber is then accomplished using individual microlenses to condition the output radiation of the laser diode bars. A lens that matches the divergence properties and wavefront characteristics of the laser light to the fiber optic is used to focus this conditioned radiation into the fiber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 6, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 1, 1997
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California
Inventors:
Raymond J. Beach, William J. Benett, Steven T. Mills