Abstract: An apparatus for performing mode scrambling in a multimode optical fibre 1 comprises an electromechanical transducer 3 and a signal generator 9. A portion of the fibre 1, which is in the form of a loop 5, is arranged with its ends 6 fixed to the transducer 3, but with the remainder of the portion being left free to vibrate. The signal generator 9 drives the transducer 3 so as to form a succession of bends of differing bend radii in the portion of the fibre as a beam of electromagnetic radiation travels through the fibre, thereby “scrambling” the beam as it travels through the fibre.

Abstract: A laser system 1 comprises six solid state diode laser modules 37.1 to 37.6 whose output beams are directly coupled into beam steering devices 38.1 to 38.6 and thereby routed to laser combining dichroic mirrors 39.1 to 39.6, which combine the individual laser beams into a single, co-aligned beam. The combined laser beam is directed into an optical fiber 41.1 for delivery to a target optical instrument such as a microscope. The output beam from delivery optical fiber 41.1 is coupled to the target instrument via fiber output collimating optics 42.1. The output of each of the diode lasers 37.1 to 37.6 is controlled by direct modulation of the lasers' control (drive) currents.

Abstract: A manipulator system 10 comprises a manipulator 14 which includes two pairs of adjustment screws 18a, 18b and 19a, 19b, which can be used to displace a lens group assembly 11 relative to the longitudinal axis of the manipulator when the lens group assembly 11 is inserted within the manipulator 14. The lens group assembly 11 comprises a holder 22 in the form of a hollow, cylindrical tube that has mounted in two lenses 12, 13. The holder 22 has a throughbore through which a laser beam may be passed in use. The manipulator system 10 can be used to adjust the tilt and displacement of the holder 22 (and hence of the pair of lenses 12, 13). Such adjustment will cause a laser beam passing through the manipulator system 10 and holder 22 to have, e.g., a particular pointing direction and shape when exiting the lens group assembly 11.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing mode scrambling in a multimode optical fibre 1 comprises an electromechanical transducer 3 and a signal generator 9. A portion of the fibre 1, which is in the form of a loop 5, is arranged with its ends 6 fixed to the transducer 3, but with the remainder of the portion being left free to vibrate. The signal generator 9 drives the transducer 3 so as to form a succession of bends of differing bend radii in the portion of the fibre as a beam of electromagnetic radiation travels through the fibre, thereby “scrambling” the beam as it travels through the fibre.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector comprising a main body in the form of a manipulator 11 having a throughbore which removably receives a sleeve-like carrier 13 again having a throughbore. The carrier 13 receives removably an optical fibre assembly which is to be coupled to another optical component by means of the connector. The manipulator 11 also includes two pairs of adjustment screws 18a, and 19a which can be used to displace the carrier and optical fibre assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the manipulator. A polarising element 41 is arranged in the manipulator 11 such that light passing through the connector system will pass through the polarising element 41.

Abstract: The end face of an optical fiber 11 is polished at an angle to alter the cross-sectional dimensions of a light beam exiting the fiber through that end face to alter the cross-sectional circularity of the light beam after it has exited the fiber as compared to its cross-sectional circularity when it is in the fiber. For example, to increase the circularity of an exiting light beam, the angled fiber end face can be aligned such that the major axis of the sloping fiber end face is aligned with the major cross-sectional axis of the light beam in the fiber (i.e. perpendicular to the minor cross-sectional axis of the light beam in the fiber). This has the effect of reducing the length of the major cross-sectional axis of the light beam once it has exited the fiber.

Abstract: An optical fibre connector comprising a main body in the form of a manipulator 11 having a throughbore which removably receives a sleeve-like carrier 13 again having a throughbore. The carrier 13 receives removably an optical fibre assembly which is to be coupled to another optical component by means of the connector. The manipulator 11 also includes two pairs of adjustment screws 18a, and 19a which can be used to displace the carrier and optical fibre assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the manipulator. A polarising element 41 is arranged in the manipulator 11 such that light passing through the connector system will pass through the polarising element 41.

Abstract: An optical component 1 comprises a holder 2 formed as a generally elongate tubular member which, at one end, houses a lens 3 and, at the other end, houses an optical fiber 4. The optical fiber 4 is fixed within an elongate tubular ferrule 5. The optical component 1 further includes three adjustment screws 10 which can engage the front of the ferrule 5. The adjustment screws 10 can be used to adjust the radial positioning of the end of the optical fiber 4 and to tilt the ferrule 5 (and thus the fiber 4) with respect to the holder 2 about a pivot point defined by a neck 9 in the holder 2.

Abstract: The end face of an optical fibre 11 is polished at an angle to alter the cross-sectional dimensions of a light beam exiting the fibre through that end face to alter the cross-sectional circularity of the light beam after it has exited the fibre as compared to its cross-sectional circularity when it is in the fibre. For example, to increase the circularity of an exiting light beam, the angled fibre end face can be aligned such that the major axis of the sloping fibre end face is aligned with the major cross-sectional axis of the light beam in the fibre (i.e. perpendicular to the minor cross-sectional axis of the light beam in the fibre). This has the effect of reducing the length of the major cross-sectional axis of the light beam once it has exited the fibre.

Abstract: An optical component 1 comprises a holder 2 formed as a generally elongate tubular member which, at one end, houses a lens 3 and, at the other end, houses an optical fiber 4. The optical fiber 4 is fixed within an elongate tubular ferrule 5. The optical component 1 further includes three adjustment screws 10 which can engage the front of the ferrule 5. The adjustment screws 10 can be used to adjust the radial positioning of the end of the optical fiber 4 and to tilt the ferrule 5 (and thus the fiber 4) with respect to the holder 2 about a pivot point defined by a neck 9 in the holder 2.

Abstract: An optical fibre connector comprising a hollow cylindrical body 2 having a throughbore 3 with an inner surface 4. A hollow sleeve or carrier 6 in the form of a cylindrical tube having a throughbore 8 fits snugly within the hollow body throughbore 3. The sleeve 6 can receive and releasably retain a pair of optical fibre assemblies 11 which are to be optically coupled to one another by means of the connector. The sleeve 6 accommodates a plurality of discrete individual engagement means in the form of balls 10 in holes around it circumference. The balls 10 protrude through the holes in the sleeve into the throughbore 3, and are free to rotate as an optical fibre assembly moves past them. The optical fibre assemblies 11 are biassed against the balls 10 and thereby against the inner surface of the connector body by resilient biassing means in the form of spring arrangements 14. Each spring arrangement 14 comprises an elongate resilient strip 15 pivoted about its midpoint on a pivot 20.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector comprising a manipulator 11 in the form a cylindrical tube having a throughbore 12 which receives a carrier 13 in the form a cylindrical tube having a throughbore 14. The carrier 13 receives an optical fiber assembly 15 which is to be coupled to another optical component by means of the connector. The manipulator 11 has two pairs of adjustment screws 18a, 18b and 19a, 19b, which can be used to displace the carrier and optical fiber assembly within the manipulator. The manipulator also includes two adjustable spring plungers 22 for applying a variable resilient biassing force to urge the carrier against the contact points of the adjustment means when it is inserted into the manipulator. The carrier 13 includes plural pads 24, which have flat, planar surfaces 25 and protruding studs 26 mounted therein. The pads are arranged in holes 27 in the carrier body such that their flat surfaces form part of the outer surface of the carrier.