Abstract: In accordance with a plurality of embodiments of the present invention, exemplary systems and articles of manufactures are described herein that are configured to propagate a MM signal from a light source, such as an optical fiber assembly for propagating a multimode (MM) signal from a light source, the optical fiber assembly comprising a multicore fiber (MCF) having a fiber numerical aperture (NA) value, a first core diameter and a first outer diameter (OD), and a combiner including a taper fiber bundle (TFB) portion in communication with the MCF, and at least one pigtail portion in communication with the light source, wherein the combiner propagates the MM signal from the light source, the MM signal having a signal NA value that is less than the fiber NA value such that the MM signal underfills the at least one pigtail portion.

Abstract: A single-piece multi-fiber ferrule interconnect assembly including a ferrule body having a main surface, a front frame, and a rear opening, wherein the front frame includes a front face and a back face; a plurality of lenses arranged to form a lens array, wherein the lenses are fabricated within the front frame and recessed from the front face; a plurality of grooves on the main surface for receiving a plurality of optical fibers, the grooves extending from the back face toward the rear opening, wherein each groove comprises a terminus located at the focal point of a corresponding lens on the front frame; a well located on the main surface along the back face of the front frame, wherein inside edges of the well are curved and wherein the well is capable of accommodating an epoxy; and a plurality of guide pin passageways on the ferrule body each having a pin aperture for receiving alignment pins from a complementary ferrule body, wherein the pin aperture and the alignment pin from the complementary ferrule bod

Abstract: An all-glass cladding mode stripper comprises a plurality of high refractive index, small diameter glass beads disposed along an exposed portion of the inner cladding region of an optical fiber. The unwanted low NA signal light (as well as any other type of stray light) propagating within the cladding layer is removed by refracting into the adjacent beads, where this captured light then scatters away from the optical fiber.

Abstract: An all-glass cladding mode stripper comprises a plurality of high refractive index, small diameter glass beads disposed along an exposed portion of the inner cladding region of an optical fiber. The unwanted low NA signal light (as well as any other type of stray light) propagating within the cladding layer is removed by refracting into the adjacent beads, where this captured light then scatters away from the optical fiber.

Abstract: A high efficiency optical combiner minimizes core region distortions in the area where fusion splicing between an input tapered fiber bundle (or any other type of “cladding-less” input fiber) and output fiber are joined. The thickness of the output fiber's glass cladding layer in the splice region is reduced (if not removed altogether) so that a core-to-core splice is formed and any necked-down region where the glass flows to join the core regions (while also joining the outer diameters) is essentially eliminated. The reduction of distortions in the core region of the splice improves the transmission efficiency between an input tapered fiber bundle and output fiber, reaching a level of about 99%. This high efficiency optical combiner is particularly well-suited for applications where a number of pump sources are combined and applied as an input to a fiber laser or amplifier.

Abstract: A high efficiency optical combiner minimizes core region distortions in the area where fusion splicing between an input tapered fiber bundle (or any other type of “cladding-less” input fiber) and output fiber are joined. The thickness of the output fiber's glass cladding layer in the splice region is reduced (if not removed altogether) so that a core-to-core splice is formed and any necked-down region where the glass flows to join the core regions (while also joining the outer diameters) is essentially eliminated. The reduction of distortions in the core region of the splice improves the transmission efficiency between an input tapered fiber bundle and output fiber, reaching a level of about 99%. This high efficiency optical combiner is particularly well-suited for applications where a number of pump sources are combined and applied as an input to a fiber laser or amplifier.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cleaving an optical fiber are provided. The process includes window stripping the optical fiber using a laser source to create a window strip. The window stripped optical fiber is then scribed at a position within the window strip and tension is applied to the optical fiber. The cleaved optical fiber can be chamfered by applying a heat source to the cleaved end face. The above process and apparatus provide a high precision and inexpensive system for fiber cleaving and chamfering.

Abstract: A single-piece multi-fiber ferrule interconnect assembly including a ferrule body having a main surface, a front frame, and a rear opening, wherein the front frame includes a front face and a back face; a plurality of lenses arranged to form a lens array, wherein the lenses are fabricated within the front frame and recessed from the front face; a plurality of grooves on the main surface for receiving a plurality of optical fibers, the grooves extending from the back face toward the rear opening, wherein each groove comprises a terminus located at the focal point of a corresponding lens on the front frame; a well located on the main surface along the back face of the front frame, wherein inside edges of the well are curved and wherein the well is capable of accommodating an epoxy; and a plurality of guide pin passageways on the ferrule body each having a pin aperture for receiving alignment pins from a complementary ferrule body, wherein the pin aperture and the alignment pin from the complementary ferrule bod

Abstract: A ferrule structure including a ferrule having an end face shape configured to incorporate at least a portion of a lens attached to an end of an optical fiber. The end face includes a cavity in which a circumference of the cavity is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the ferrule and larger than in inner diameter of an opening in the ferrule housing an optical fiber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cleaving an optical fiber are provided. The process includes window stripping the optical fiber using a laser source to create a window strip. The window stripped optical fiber is then scribed at a position within the window strip and tension is applied to the optical fiber. The cleaved optical fiber can be chamfered by applying a heat source to the cleaved end face. The above process and apparatus provide a high precision and inexpensive system for fiber cleaving and chamfering.

Abstract: A ferrule structure including a ferrule having an end face shape configured to incorporate at least a portion of a lens attached to an end of an optical fiber. The end face includes a cavity in which a circumference of the cavity is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the ferrule and larger than in inner diameter of an opening in the ferrule housing an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hollow core fiber power combiner or divider is provided. The method includes forming a hollow core fiber bundle by assembling a plurality of small core diameter hollow core fibers inside a large diameter inner capillary. The method further includes inserting a support structure inside each of the plurality of small core diameter hollow core fibers and collapsing the large diameter inner capillary on the plurality of small core diameter hollow core fibers having the supported structure inserted to form a fused small core fiber bundle. The method further includes combining the fused small core fiber bundle with a large core diameter hollow core fiber. The structure of the hollow core fiber power combiner and divider is also provided.