Abstract: An apparatus includes an all-fiber side-pump combiner fabrication system and a control unit coupled to control operations of the all-fiber side-pump combiner fabrication system to produce a (N+1)×1 combiner with N side pump fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber combiner comprises a double-clad fiber (DCF) and one or more multimode fibers (MMFs). DCF comprises a transition portion, a DCF taper portion, and an output section coupling to the DCF taper portion, whereas each of MMFs comprises an MMF taper configured to be fused around DCF in the transition portion. MMFs are configured to carry a combined optical energy (COE) and to couple to DCF. COE passes through the MMF taper with larger divergence of higher-order modes generated and coupled into DCF, whereas the DCF taper portion can partially offset the larger divergence. COE coupled, when traced through the output section, emerges in the air with a smaller output beam divergence of the higher-order modes, thereby preserving some of the higher-order modes in the output section and increasing a coupling efficiency of COE coupled from MMFs to DCF with improved thermal performance.

Abstract: An optical fiber combiner comprises a double-clad fiber (DCF) and one or more multimode fibers (MMFs). DCF comprises a transition portion, a DCF taper portion, and an output section coupling to the DCF taper portion, whereas each of-_MMFs comprises an MMF taper configured to be fused around-_DCF in the transition portion. MMFs are configured to carry a combined optical energy (COE) and to couple to DCF. COE passes through the MMF taper with larger divergence of higher-order modes generated and coupled into-_DCF, whereas the DCF taper portion can partially offset the larger divergence. COE coupled, when traced through the output section, emerges in the air with a smaller output beam divergence of the higher-order modes, thereby preserving some of the higher-order modes in the output section and increasing a coupling efficiency of COE coupled from-_MMFs to-_DCF with improved thermal performance.

Abstract: An all-fiber laser oscillator comprises a laser cavity, an amplification fiber, a plurality of diode lasers, and at least one side-pump signal-and-pump combiner (combiner). The combiner comprises a double-clad fiber (DCF) and four or more multimode fibers (MMFs). DCF comprises a first taper portion, whereas each of MMFs comprises a second taper portion fused around DCF. MMFs are configured to carry a portion of combined optical energy (COE) and to couple to DCF. The first taper portion can partially compensate a beam divergence created by the second taper portion, thereby increasing a coupling efficiency of COE coupled from MMFs to DCF with improved thermal performance. In a coupling portion, a refractive index difference between MMFs and DCF is configured to form a backward coupling barrier to suppress an optical energy in DCF from coupling into MMFs, thereby protecting the plurality of diode lasers from damage.

Abstract: An optical fiber combiner comprises a double-clad fiber (DCF) and one or more multimode fibers (MMFs). DCF comprises a transition portion, a first taper portion, and an output section coupling to the first taper portion, whereas each of MMFs comprises a second taper configured to be fused around DCF in the transition portion. MMFs are configured to carry a combined optical energy (COE) and to couple to DCF. COE passes through the second taper with larger divergence of higher-order modes generated and coupled into DCF, whereas the first taper portion can partially offset the larger divergence. COE coupled, when traced through the output section, emerges in air with a smaller output beam divergence of the higher-order modes, thereby preserving some of the higher-order modes in the output section and increasing a coupling efficiency of COE coupled from MMFs to DCF with improved thermal performance.

Abstract: A water-cooled package of a fiber-optic transport head comprising a delivery optical fiber (DOF), an interface optics, an end plug, an optically transparent tube, a tube holder comprising multiple broken cuts, and a housing operates for delivering a high-power laser light from DOF to free space. The interface optics is fusion-spiced with a section of DOF with a cladding exposed whereas the section of DOF with the cladding exposed is enclosed in a bore of the optically transparent tube, working together as a cladding mode stripper. The multiple broken cuts allow optical energy from the cladding mode stripper to randomly launch the housing in a way that the optical energy is uniformly distributed, thereby no localized hot spots possibly existed. The housing comprises a set of internal threads comprising a helix angle and a tooth height. The set of internal threads facilitates thermal dispersion, effectively reducing temperature on the housing.

Abstract: A water-cooled package of a fiber-optic transport head comprising a delivery optical fiber (DOF), an interface optics, an end plug, a waterproof tube, and a housing operates for delivering a high-power laser light from DOF to free space. The interface optics is fusion-spiced with a section of DOF with a cladding exposed whereas the section of DOF is enclosed in a bore of the waterproof tube. In one embodiment, the waterproof tube comprises a first set of internal threads comprising a first helix angle and a first tooth height. In another embodiment, the housing comprises a second set of internal threads comprising a second helix angle and a second tooth height. Either one of the first set and the second set of internal threads facilitates thermal dispersion, effectively reducing temperature on the housing.

Abstract: A water-cooled package of an optical fiber combiner (OFC) comprising an OFC assembly, a front end cap (EC), a rear EC, and a housing operates for long term reliability. The OFC assembly comprises two submounts and an OFC. Each of the two submounts comprises a U-groove in a lengthwise direction and two flat portions symmetrically connected to the U-groove in a widthwise direction. The two flat portions of each of the two submounts are mechanically coincident in a way to form a cavity between the two U-grooves of the two submounts, in which the OFC is fixed. When the OFC assembly is concentrically mated and sealed with the front EC and the rear EC, cooling water in the water-cooled package is prevented from immersing the OFC. The configurations can minimize varying stress-induced optical degradations and maintain beam quality of a laser light exiting the OFC.

Abstract: A water-cooled package of an optical fiber head comprising a delivery optical fiber (DOF), a front optical end cap (OEC), a rear OEC, a glass ferrule, and a housing operates for delivering the laser light from DOF to free space. The rear OEC is fusion-spiced with a section of DOF with a cladding exposed whereas the section of DOF is enclosed in a bore of the glass ferrule. When the glass ferrule is connected and sealed between the front OEC and the rear OEC, cooling water in the water-cooled package is prevented from immersing the section of DOF to maintain reliability of DOF. It is, therefore, not needed to bond the section of DOF in a bore of the front OEC to be waterproof, minimizing varying stress-induced speckle patterns and ultimately maintaining beam quality of the laser light exiting from DOF to free space.

Abstract: A heat-sinking package of an optical fiber combiner comprising an optical fiber combiner assembly and a case operates for a uniform temperature gradient inside the case. The optical fiber combiner assembly, fixed inside the case, comprises an overlay structure and an optical fiber combiner. The overlay structure comprises a long shallow receptacle divided by three compartments on upper side of the overlay structure, in which the optical fiber combiner is fixed with three epoxies respectively applied in the three compartments. The three epoxies with different refractive indices accommodated in the three compartments of the long shallow receptacle not only fix the optical fiber combiner in place but also serve thermal contacts to effectively disperse the heat generated in the optical fiber combiner to the overlay structure, further dispersing to surroundings of the case. The overlay structure further comprises one or more thermally conductive sheaths to more efficiently disperse the heat.

Abstract: A heat-reduced package of an optical fiber head comprising a delivery optical fiber (DOF), a cladding mode stripper, an optical end cap, a beam shaper, a window, and a housing operates for delivering the laser light from DOF to free space with a uniform temperature gradient inside the housing while maintaining beam quality. The cladding mode stripper comprising a section of cladding-exposed DOF inside bore of the glass ferrule fused together is effective to remove cladding modes from DOF. The optical end cap comprising a corrugated structure is configured to deflect the cladding modes, reduce optical feedback, and facilitate optical and thermal dispersion. The housing comprises another corrugated structure on an inner wall to absorb undesired optical energy. The housing may further comprise a cooling slot to disperse the heat accumulated in the housing to its surroundings.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems of proactive monitoring of LED lights are described herein. An LED light monitoring system may include a specification database of LED lamps and drivers, a usage database that records the usage of LED lamps and drivers, a data acquisition subsystem that obtains the identity and the usage data of LED lamps or drivers in use, and a data processing subsystem that calculates, for each LED lamp, its current lumen output statistically and, for each LED driver, its remaining lifetime, and provides replacement recommendations for LED lamps and drivers.

Abstract: Embodiments of an end-cap for an LED tube are described. In one aspect, an end-cap for an LED tube may include an end-cap housing, an elastic component, a power connector, and a movable assembly. The movable assembly may include a power pin thereon and configured to connect to an external power source. The elastic component may reside inside the end-cap housing. A first end of the movable assembly may connect to the end-cap housing. A second end of the connecting assembly opposite to the first end thereof may connect to a body of the LED tube through the power connector. The power connector may be electrically disconnected from the power pin when the end-cap housing is pressed. The power connector may be electrically connected to the power pin when the end-cap housing is not pressed.

Abstract: A wireless fiber optic endface inspector includes a video microscope capable of wirelessly transmitting video streaming signal of endface image in real-time to a display device. The video microscope includes a microscope optical system, an adapting tip for interfacing an endface, an LED light source, a camera module for receiving and converting the endface image into video streaming signal, a Wi-Fi AP board, and a battery for supplying power. The video microscope may be constructed by adding a Wi-Fi AP board and a battery to a conventional inspector microscope. The display device has software for detecting when the endface is focused. Once the endface is focused, the display device emits an audio signal to alert the operator, who may then trigger the display device to analyze the endface image using an endface analysis software or save it to a folder, or transmit the image to a remote server.

Abstract: An LED lighting device with a replaceable driver-control module interface is described. The LED lighting device may include a driver-less LED lighting device, a driver-control module with driver function, and a housing interface on the driver-less LED lighting device to house and connect the driver-control module. The driver-less LED lighting device receives AC from an external AC source and passes the AC to the driver-control module. The driver-control module receives AC from the driver-less LED lighting device and provides DC to the driver-less lighting device to drive LED diodes in the driver-less LED lighting device. The housing interface on the lighting device houses the driver-control module such that, when the driver-control module is fastened to the driver-less lighting device through the housing interface, the driver-control becomes an integral part of the lighting device.

Abstract: A linear light-emitting diode (LED)-based solid-state universal lamp using an all-in-one LED driving circuit with a power factor correction (PFC) and control device operates normally for a regulated power and current from either electronic ballast or AC mains. The all-in-one LED driving circuit is configured to operate in a wide range of input voltages and frequencies, especially for various high voltages and high frequencies associated with various electronic ballasts. With a cycle-by-cycle current control and power switching at a constant on-time and varied off-time, an over-rated surge current is limited, preventing occasional fire hazards occurred in the ballast. When two shock protection switches are used in two lamp bases in the lamp, the universal lamp fully protects a person from possible electric shock during initial installation and re-lamping.

Abstract: A linear light-emitting diode (LED)-based solid-state lamp using an AC current control scheme and shock protection switches operates normally with an electronic ballast. Due to the use of shock protection switches in the two lamp bases at two opposite ends, the ballast-compatible LED lamp fully protects a person from possible electric shock during initial installation, maintenance, and re-lamping no matter what the rated power and the brand of the LLT lamp are and no matter whether the electronic ballast is existing used ones that may be incompatible with the lamp or faulty, leading to an unacceptable leakage current.

Abstract: A linear light-emitting diode (LED)-based solid-state universal lamp using a frequency sensing and control mechanism operates normally with both an electronic ballast and the AC mains. The frequency sensing and control mechanism automatically detects voltage types associated with output voltages from the ballast and the AC mains in a single-ended or a double-ended lamp fixture and makes proper management so that the universal lamp works for either case and in either fixture without operational uncertainty. When two shock protection switches are used in two lamp bases, the universal lamp fully protects a person from possible electric shock during initial installation and re-lamping.

Abstract: Embodiments of an end-cap for an LED tube are described. In one aspect, an end-cap for an LED tube may include an end-cap housing, at least one elastic component, and a connecting assembly. The end-cap housing may include at least one power pin thereon and configured to connect to an external power source. The elastic component may reside inside the end-cap housing. The end-cap housing may connect to a first end of the connecting assembly via an extendable connection and a second end of the connecting assembly opposite to the first end thereof connects to a body of the LED tube through at least one power connector. The power connector may connect to the at least one power pin when the elastic component is pressed. The power connector may remain separate from the at least one power pin when the elastic component is not pressed.