Abstract: An optical coupling system couples an optical fiber to an optical semiconductor device. A beam expander is disposed within the optical semiconductor so as to receive light from or transmit light into the optical fiber. The coupling is accomplished by disposing a layer of an index matching gel or epoxy on either surface of the semiconductor optical device or the end portion of the optical fiber and another layer of an antireflective material adjacent to the index matching gel or epoxy. The semiconductor device may include an array of optical devices, each coupled to a corresponding optical fiber via the arrangement that comprises the index matching gel and the antireflective material. The semiconductor device may also include an array of waveguides, each configured to receive light from a corresponding optical fiber.

Abstract: A confocal imaging system using optical fibers is provided which has a flexible near confocal optical transmission means having a light collection end adjacent to a light collection of the confocal optical transmission means and adapted to transmit only near confocal light emerging from points in the object located within a range of distances above and below the focal plane, in such a manner that a selected portion of the near confocal light emerging from greater than any selected distance within the range is substantially separable from the remainder. The system also has variable selection means to exclude from detection the selected portion.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupling system has high insertion loss repeatability. A lens expands the mode size of a source fiber connected to a test instrument or other source, reducing insertion loss sensitivity to positional and angular alignment of the bare input fiber with the source fiber. Index matching fluid reduces the effect of the cleave angle of the input fiber on insertion loss. The optical fiber coupling system is calibrated by substituting a through fiber of similar type and length in place of the input fiber. According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a capillary tube contains the index matching fluid. According to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the index matching fluid is contained in a reservoir enabling optical signals to be coupled to optical components having multiple input fibers.

Abstract: Fiber optic interfaces that can readily reject the collection of stray light while efficiently collecting desired light that has interacted with the subject media. These fiber optic interfaces may be incorporated into optical probes and probe tips for enhanced photonic efficiency, light manipulation, and stray light rejection. These probes are particularly well suited for use in instrumentation including spectral analysis and the light-scattering branches of spectroscopy. Specifically, the optical probes exhibit benefits for spectral analyses including those referred to as Raman, fluorescence, Rayleigh, luminescence, and diffuse reflectance. A typical probe includes a center emitter fiber surrounded by collection fibers. These fibers are arranged into a bundle and positioned behind a window. The end faces of the emitter fiber and the collection fibers are shaped to form an optical interface with desired optical characteristics.

Abstract: A light transmission device includes a semiconductor laser for emitting a laser flux, an optical fiber for transmitting the laser flux emitted from the semiconductor laser, and a device that prevents the laser flux, reflected at an incident end surface of the optical fiber, from returning to the semiconductor laser. In particular, the preventing device may be a slanted incident end surface of the optical fiber, such that the reflected laser flux at the incident end surface is directed away from the semiconductor laser. The preventing device may also be an optical isolator that is disposed between the semiconductor laser and the incident end surface of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The inventive system, which is used in transmitting illumination from a central source to a variety of remote locations, efficiently couples the light originating from a lamp, or similar source, into a multiplicity of flexible macroscopic fibers. The combination of the several elements of the inventive system results in a very efficient transfer of the energy of the light source to the fibers. Light from the lamp is fed to a spherical configuration of ports, with each port having one or more flexible macroscopic fibers connected thereto.

Abstract: Gold is useful for infrared polarization-insensitive mirrors on silica. However, gold does not adhere to bare silica. The adherence is enhanced by depositing an optically thin glue layer of Ni--P on a silica surface after sensitization of the surface and activation. The Ni--P layer has a thickness sufficient to enhance adherence of gold to the surface of silica, but insufficient to act as a barrier to the passage of infrared radiation to or from the gold layer. One measure of the Ni--P thickness is the absorbance of the glue layer of >0.008 at 550 nm (>0.003 at 850 nm) as measured by a spectrophotometer. A 100-150 nm thick gold layer, deposited on this adhesion layer, adheres well enough to pass the commonly used "Scotch tape adhesion test". The ability to make gold adhere to silica with very low optical loss is useful in fabrication of lightwave devices which require the use of reflecting surfaces, such as an optical fibers or waveguides.

Abstract: A sensor capable of measuring a number of physical parameters in a harsh environment includes a plurality of intrinsic fiber optic sensor elements formed within a core of an optical fiber, the optical fiber being disposed within a capillary tube made of a high strength, corrosion resistant material. The sensor is located at a distal end of the capillary tube, and the capillary tube is mounted in a monitoring location, such as mounted to the casing of an electrically submersible pump (ESP), such that the sensor can be utilized to measure physical parameters, including static and dynamic pressure, temperature, acceleration and acoustic signals, at the monitoring location. Each sensor is constructed such that a reference element, such as a rigid element, isolates a reference location in the optical fiber from mechanically induced strain.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic cable connector is provided that exhibits a consistent return loss rating of 60 dB or better. The connector comprises matable connector housings that terminate the ends of respective optical cables to be joined. Within each housing, the optical fiber of the respective cable is secured within a ceramic ferrule that extends axially of the connector. The endface of each optical fiber is exposed at the end of its respective ferrule. The ends of the ferrules are ground and polished in such a way that the endfaces of the optical fibers exhibit a planar undercut with respect to the lip of the axial passageway in which the fibers are secured. When the ferrules are brought and pressed together end-to-end as the connectors are mated, the material of each ferrule compresses until the endfaces of the optical fibers engage each other with near null pressure.

Abstract: An optical fibre sensor element (1) comprising an optical fibre (2), a protective coating on the optical fibre, and shape constraining means (3) which causes the optical fibre (2) to follow a path which extends in a generally longitudinal direction and which is such that the coated optical fibre (3) is not perfectly straight and it is impossible to draw an imaginary straight line in any direction which remains inside the coated optical fibre (3) along the entire length of the optical fibre sensor element (1).

Abstract: Gold is useful for infrared polarization-insensitive mirrors on silica. However, gold does not adhere to bare silica. The adherence is enhanced by depositing an optically thin glue layer of Ni-P on a silica surface after sensitization of the surface with SnF.sub.2 and activation with PdCl.sub.2 /HCl. The Ni-P layer is deposited in a thickness sufficient to enhance adherence of gold to the surface of silica but insufficient to act as a barrier to the passage of infrared radiation to or from the gold layer. One measure of the Ni-P thickness is the absorbance of the glue layer of >0.008 at 550 nm (>0.003 at 850 nm) as measured by a spectrophotometer. A 100-150 nm thick gold layer, deposited by e-beam deposition on this adhesion layer, adheres well enough to pass the commonly used "Scotch tape adhesion test". The ability to make gold adhere to silica with very low optical loss is useful in fabrication of lightwave devices which require the use of reflecting surfaces, such as on optical fibers or waveguides.

Abstract: Optical signals that would otherwise transit a first fiber (12), but for a break therein, may be cut-over to a second fiber (16) by clamping the first fiber at first and second spaced locations thereon upstream and downstream, respectively, of the break. Clamping the first fiber creates a microbend at each of the first and second locations at which optical signals exit from, and may be injected into, respectively, the first fiber. The second fiber is likewise clamped at first and second spaced locations thereon to create a pair of microbends at which optical signals may be injected into, and extracted from the second fiber, respectively. Once the first and second fibers are clamped in this fashion, the optical signals extracted from the first fiber at the first location are coupled into the second fiber and then extracted therefrom for injection into the first fiber at the second location thereon.

Abstract: A diversion connector is disclosed for mating with an optical fiber of an associated fiber optic transmission means. The connector includes a body having an end face for mating with the associated fiber optic transmission means, the end face traversing the optic axis. A fiber section is mounted in the body and includes a front fiber end and a rear fiber end. The front fiber end is adapted for mating with an end of the optical fiber of the associated fiber optic transmission means. The rear fiber end is at an angle to the optic axis to prevent light energy transmitted by the optical fiber from being reflected back toward the fiber and to protect an operator's eyes from the transmitted light energy.

Abstract: An improved optical switch having a first optical fiber and a plurality of N optical fibers. The first optical fiber forms an optical path with any one of the N optical fibers by an alignment of a longitudinal axis of an end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of the one of N optical fibers. A switch in optical path is performed by a relative movement of the first optical fiber with respect to the N optical fibers for a realignment of the longitudinal axis of the end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of another one of the N optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical transmission device has an graded index optical fiber having a diameter .phi..sub.s of a core of the optical fiber, a refraction index n.sub.0 at a center of the core, and a difference .DELTA.n between refraction indexes of the center of the core and a peripheral section of the core; and an optical fiber incident system having a smallest focussed point at or near an incident side plane in said optical fiber through which the laser beam being introduced, and a diameter .phi..sub.in Of the laser beam at said incident side plane of said optical fiber having a following relationship: 0.5.phi..sub.s .ltoreq..phi..sub.in .ltoreq.2.phi..sub.s, and .phi..sub.s =(.phi..sub.c .phi..sub.0 .theta.(2n.sub.0 .DELTA.n).sup.-1/2).sup.1/2, where a diameter and an opening angle of the laser beam waist are .phi..sub.0 and 2.theta.. A solid state laser device has an graded index optical fiber in which the diameter .phi..sub.in of the laser beam at the optical fiber side having the following relationship: 0.5.phi..sub.

Abstract: A mechanical optical fiber splice which does not employ any gel material with a matching refractive index, wherein the fiber ends are prepared for intimate axial compressive contact and the fiber end faces are maintained in the splice element in optically aligned intimate contact under axial compression, as the result of heating, elastic deformation or plastic deformation of the splice element.

Abstract: An optical filter comprising two ferrules containing a respective duct internally housing a respective portion of optical fibre; the two ferrules are inserted axially aligned within an alignment bush, between said two ferrules there being inserted a vitreous support on which a layer of optically active filtering material is deposited. A method for constructing said optical filter is also described.

Abstract: A method of delivering guided radiation arriving via a first transparent medium having a first refractive index into a second transparent medium having a second refractive index that is smaller than the first refractive index, comprising: providing a transparent radiation delivery waveguide capable of admitting concentrated radiation and having a longitudinal axis and a third refractive index substantially equal to or greater than the first refractive index and adapted to guide the radiation along the longitudinal axis. The waveguide having a tapered radiation delivery portion of non-circular cross-sectional shape. Mounting the waveguide in optical contact with the first transparent medium so that the radiation delivery portion projects inside the second transparent medium.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic cable connector is provided that exhibits a consistent return loss rating of 60 dB or better. The connector comprises matable connector housings that terminate the ends of respective optical cables to be joined. Within each housing, the optical fiber of the respective cable is secured within a ceramic ferrule that extends axially of the connector. The endface of each optical fiber is exposed at the end of its respective ferrule. The ends of the ferrules are ground and polished in such a way that the endfaces of the optical fibers exhibit a planar undercut with respect to the lip of the axial passageway in which the fibers are secured. When the ferrules are brought and pressed together end-to-end as the connectors are mated, the material of each ferrule compresses until the endfaces of the optical fibers engage each other with near null pressure.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for efficient laser illumination of the interiors of multiple capillaries simultaneously, and collection of light emitted from them. Capillaries in a parallel array can form an optical waveguide wherein refraction at the cylindrical surfaces confines side-on illuminating light to the core of each successive capillary in the array. Methods are provided for determining conditions where capillaries will form a waveguide and for assessing and minimizing losses due to reflection. Light can be delivered to the arrayed capillaries through an integrated fiber optic transmitter or through a pair of such transmitters aligned coaxially at opposite sides of the array. Light emitted from materials within the capillaries can be carried to a detection system through optical fibers, each of which collects light from a single capillary, with little cross talk between the capillaries.

Abstract: The illuminator of the invention takes relatively coherent light exiting from a fiber optic cable and spreads it in an even manner over a wide viewing area of an eye retina, and by securing a transparent ball to face the light output of the fiber optic cable with an air gap in-between, thus allowing a large light index differential between the fiber material and the light refracting material while having the second surface of the ball immersed in vitreous eye fluid.

Abstract: There is provided a side-emitting optical fiber having a proximal end for receiving radiation and a distal end for emitting the radiation in a direction laterally of the longitudinal axis of the fiber via a radiation exit region at the distal end; characterized in that the outer surface of the distal end of the a glass cap is formed with a visually discernible surface formation which is narrow at one end thereof and which increases in width towards the opposite end thereof, to thereby enable visually discerning the orientation of the optical fiber with respect to the radiation exit region thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling high intensity light into a low melting temperature optical fiber which uses a high temperature, low NA optical fiber as a spatial filter between a source of high intensity light and a low melting temperature, low NA optical fiber. The source of light may be a high intensity arc lamp or may be a high NA, high melting temperature optical fiber transmitting light from a remote light source.

Abstract: A fiber-optic spectroscopic probe for use with an FTIR spectrometer comprises two or more types of optical fibers made from materials with overlapping transmissions in the infrared region of the spectrum. The fiber materials are chosen so that so that any regions of low or zero transmission in their respective transmission windows, arising from impurities or defects in the material, occur in different spectral regions, thus ensuring that the probe is able to transmit across the entire transmission window without exhibiting the characteristic "blind spots" that are observed using probes comprising a single type of optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber manifold is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a plurality of spaced, large diameter output fibers, or "light pipes", which are used for a variety of purposes, such as illuminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, and other applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The manifold comprises a light converging element, which may be either a lens or a reflector, for converging light separately on each of the spaced optical fibers. The light converging element is segmented, with each segment corresponding to one of the optical fibers, and is precise enough that substantially all of the convergent light is received by the respective cores of each of the spaced output fibers, thereby minimizing light loss.

Abstract: A method for efficiently coupling beams from semiconductor lasers into optical fibers is presented which provides optical fibers with a modified end surface for efficient coupling. The method comprises a combination of shaping of the fiber end face and of axially varying the refractive index of the fiber end face material as a function of the distance from fiber end face surface. One preferred embodiment employs an axial gradient-index lens (AGRIN lens) fabricated directly on the fiber end face to improve coupling a laser beam into the fiber. The method can also be used in other applications where optical fibers having spherical or more complicated surfaces of their end faces need to be fabricated.

Abstract: A display system includes an image light source for producing a modulated light, an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the first end of the optical fiber being coupled to the light source, and a deflation device coupled to the second end of the optical fiber, the deflection device deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in a two-dimensional scan pattern for projecting an image onto a viewing surface from the second end of the optical fiber, wherein the projected image is related to the modulated light.

Abstract: Radiant electromagnetic energy transmitting apparatus, comprising an elongated body consisting of electromagnetic energy transmitting material, the energy injected into the body to travel therein and to be trapped during the travel by total internal reflecting off walls defined by the body, and there being at least one site within the body having variegated surface relief acting to scatter incident radiant energy for ejection from the body as rays defining a selected solid angle.

Abstract: In an optical coupler comprising a first optical fiber (1) and a second optical fiber (2), first and second outgoing fiber ends of the first and second optical fibers are optically coupled along a predetermined length. First and second incidence fiber ends of the first and second incidence fibers are supplied with first and second lights, respectively. A primary condensing lens (10) is supplied with first and output lights from the first and second optical fibers and condenses the first and second output lights to produce a first condensing light. An optical isolator (8) has an incidence isolator end and an outgoing isolator end. The optical isolator is supplied with the first condensing light from the primary condensing lens through the incidence isolator end to output the first condensing light from the outgoing isolator end. The optical isolator prevents output of an unwanted light at the incidence isolator end.

Abstract: An optical filter comprising two ferrules containing a respective duct internally housing a respective portion of optical fibre; the two ferrules are inserted axially aligned within an alignment bush, between said two ferrules there being inserted a vitreous support on which a layer of optically active filtering material is deposited. A method for constructing said optical filter is also described.

Abstract: An optical fiber attenuator includes an optical fiber section having an end at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the section. The end has on it a first layer of substantially transparent anti-reflective material, a second layer of light attenuating material on the first layer and a third layer of substantially transparent anti-reflective material over the second layer. A fourth layer of substantially transparent, relatively hard scratch-resistant material may be added on the third layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical RF bandpass filter comprises the st of: (1) mounting an optical fiber having first and second ends in a fiber support structure having first and second surfaces so that the first end is exposed at the first surface and the second end is exposed at the second surface; (2) forming a first layered mirror structure on a first substrate to create a first mirror wafer structure having a first reflective surface; (3) forming a second layered mirror structure on a second substrate to create a second mirror wafer structure having a second reflective surface; (4) affixing the first reflective surface of the first mirror wafer structure to the first surface of the fiber support structure; and (5) affixing the second reflective surface of the second mirror wafer structure to the second surface of the fiber support structure.

Abstract: An optical transmission system permitting any desired machining to be done by radiating to an object to be irradiated a laser beam having an optimum intensity distribution in the direction of its optical axis or in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, comprising a laser oscillator 1, an optical fiber 3 for propagating the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator 1 by a predetermined distance, a condenser lens 2 for converging the laser beam from the laser oscillator 1 into the optical fiber 3, a first lens 6 for forming images with aberration from the laser beam emerging from the optical fiber 3, a mask 7 disposed in a position having a predetermined light intensity distribution out of the positions of the images formed by the first lens 6, and a second lens 4 for forming the image passing through the mask 7 onto an object 5 to be irradiated.

Abstract: An optical fiber which has an end surface E is inserted into a ferrule, then the end surface E is allocated into a hollow of the ferrule.After the optical fiber and the ferrules are united, the hollow is filled with ultraviolet ray setting resin whose refractive index is matched with the optical fiber.Then, the hollow is covered with a quartz glass, and ultraviolet ray is irradiated to ultraviolet ray setting resin through the quartz glass. So, the optical fiber, the ferrule, the ultraviolet ray setting resin and the quartz glass are unified.

Abstract: A compound laser system for generating beams of high brightness and high power density by constructive phase coherent combination of the beams generated by a number of individual sources of coherent radiation three subsystems: a diode laser subsystem which is the source of power for the system; a combiner subsystem which combines the output of the diode lasers; and, an optional delivery subsystem which may be needed to deliver the combined output to its desired destination for industrial or medical applications. The combiner subsystem may be implemented in its entirety as an Integrated Optical Combiner, a single component performing all the combiner subsystem's functions. A preferred embodiments of the combine subsystem employs optical fibers having shaped cores to provide efficient matching to the geometry of typical laser diodes.

Abstract: In a coupling structure for directly coupling a semiconductor laser to an optical fiber without using a lens, a coupling structure is provided which is superior in producibility, low in coupling loss and stable in operation of the semiconductor laser, by removing an influence of a return light due to Fresnel reflection from an end face of the optical fiber. A re-combination of the semiconductor laser to an active layer of the optical fiber is prevented by scattering a reflection light at the end face of the optical fiber by positively increasing a surface roughness Rz of the end face of the optical fiber to a range from 0.04 .mu.m to 0.06 .mu.m. The end face is formed by cutting the optical fiber with a blade saw having abrasive of particle size in a range from #1000 gauge to #2000 gauge corresponding to a range from 8 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m. The end face may be polished with abrasive having size in a rage from #1000 to #2000 gauge.

Abstract: In an optical fiber light source a section of multimode fiber is interposed between an energizing laser (e.g,, a diode laser) and a single mode fiber active medium. In a preferred embodiment the single mode fiber active medium is surrounded by a multimode cladding coupled to the multimode fiber. The source may serve as a pump laser for a fiber amplifier or as an amplified spontaneous emission source. Arrangements for coupling several energizing lasers to the active medium are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of putting a lens on an optical fiber, the method comprising the steps of depositing a lens of elliptical section and in the form of a hyperboloid of revolution on the cleaved end of a polarization-maintaining fiber.

Abstract: A side-emitting optical fiber is provided. The side-emitting optical fiber has a proximal end for receiving radiation, a distal end including a distal tip through which the radiation is emitted in a direction laterally of the longitudinal axis of the fiber via a radiation exit regions at the distal tip, and a visually discernible marking. The visually discernible marking is adjacent to the radiation exit region to enable discerning the location of the radiation exit region as the optical fiber is manipulated by a user. The side-emitting optical fiber is characterized in that the visually discernible marking extends for approximately 180.degree. around the circumference of the fiber, has a visually discernible center located approximately 180.degree.

Abstract: An optically responsive electronic lock is disclosed comprising an optical fiber serving as a key and having Bragg gratings placed therein. Further, an identification system is disclosed which has the optical fiber serving as means for tagging and identifying an object. The key or tagged object is inserted into a respective receptacle and the Bragg gratings cause the optical fiber to reflect a predetermined frequency spectra pattern of incident light which is detected by a decoder and compared against a predetermined spectrum to determine if an electrical signal is generated to either operate the lock or light a display of an authentification panel.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the development of and a method of fabricating a fiber optic micro-light source and sensor (50). An optical fiber micro-light source (50) is presented whose aperture is extremely small yet able to act as an intense light source. Light sources of this type have wide ranging applications, including use as micro-sensors (22) in NSOM. Micro-sensor light sources have excellent detection limits as well as photo stability, reversibility, and millisecond response times. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a micro optical fiber light source is provided. It involves the photo-chemical attachment of an optically active material onto the end surface of an optical fiber cable which has been pulled to form an end with an extremely narrow aperture. More specifically, photopolymerization has been applied as a means to photo-chemically attach an optically active material (60). This process allows significant control of the size of the micro light source (50).

Abstract: A waveguide (12) having a core region (16) and a cladding region (20) is formed. A portion of the cladding region (20) forms a first surface (21) and portions of both the core region (16) and the cladding region (20) forms an end surface (15). An insulative flexible substrate (14) having an electrically conductive tracing (32) with a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the insulative flexible substrate (14) is mounted on the end surface of the waveguide (12).

Abstract: An optical fiber cable for high power laser radiation transmission comprises a fiber having a core and a surrounding cladding, a rod provided at at least one of contact ends of the core and fused to an end surface of the core the rod having larger diameter than that of the core, and a reflector provided at this end of the fiber, the rod being designed to conduct rays entering outside the fiber towards an area where they can be absorbed without causing any damage, to conduct rays not linked into the fiber towards the reflector.

Abstract: An improved optical switch having a first optical fiber and a plurality of N optical fibers. The first optical fiber forms an optical path with any one of the N optical fibers by an alignment of a longitudinal axis of an end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of the one of N optical fibers. A switch in optical path is performed by a relative movement of the first optical fiber with respect to the N optical fibers for a realignment of the longitudinal axis of the end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of another one of the N optical fibers.

Abstract: A display unit with the conversion of a laser beam into visible and incoherent light. The unit includes an optical waveguide which transmits a laser beam and at least one element for converting the laser beam into visible and incoherent light which faces the optical waveguide. It also includes at least one security or safety element, which faces the conversion element, which is transparent to the visible and incoherent light and which is able to stop the residual laser beam which may emerge from the conversion element. Accordingly, the visible and incoherent light can be observed through the safety element. The unit may be used with electric signs and markings.

Abstract: An optical fiber interface for coupling input light power from a light source to an optical fiber. The optical fiber has an optical axis, an incident end face extending transverse to the optical axis, a core region having a predetermined diameter, and a clad region surrounding the core region. The end face comprises a first surface portion having the shape of an element of a sphere. The sphere has a center on the optical axis and a diameter not greater than the diameter of the core region. The first surface portion of the end face is symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and extends from the optical axis along the core region toward the clad region. The end face also comprises a second surface portion having the shape of an element of a cone extending from the first surface portion of the end face along the clad region, the second surface portion being tangential to the first surface portion of the end face.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical connector connecting apparatus. In the apparatus, a plurality of fixed optical connectors are mounted on a fixed member in a lined-up manner. An optical connector containing member having a movable optical connector mounted thereon is supported on a support member through a small-diameter beam. A moving plate mounted on a base supports the support member, and the movable optical connector is moved in X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions so as to be connected to the fixed optical connector. Therefore, a position deviation at the time of the connection is corrected by the flexing of the small-diameter beam so that fine-positioning is unnecessary.

Abstract: An optical fiber type part for optical systems which comprises a smaller number of parts, whose production does not require a long time and which has stable optical characteristics is herein provided. The optical fiber type part for optical systems comprises an optical element 9, first and second lenses and each arranged on the light-incident or light-outgoing side of the optical part and first and second optical fibers and each arranged on the light-incident side of the first lens and the light-outgoing side of the second lens respectively and is characterized in that the end faces of the first and second optical fibers which are opposed to one another are inclined at an angle and subjected to abrasive finishing and that anti-reflection films are formed on these end faces.

Abstract: The end of an optical fibre is held in alignment with an injection laser by securing the fibre to an elongate support member whose end nearer the injection laser is then laser beam welded to a pair of slide members that have previously been secured by laser beam welding to leave a precisely dimensioned small gap between the support and slide members. The smallness of the gap minimises displacement of the fibre during the welding process. The end of the support member remote from the injection laser is secured by laser beam welding to a plastically deformable saddle.

Abstract: A flexible fiber optic delivery system for medical and industrial applications is described that can transmit high laser power densities and optical images. A parabolic-index profile of a graded-index fiber is perturbed so as to prevent strong localization of a laser beam in the fiber's recurring focal regions. This permits transmission of high laser powers without danger of fiber damage. An additional gain in carrying capacity for the system is achieved by using a wavefront perturbation system between the laser source and the graded-index fiber. Optical image transmission is achieved by using a measured perturbation to a parabolic-index profile of the graded-index fiber with a prescribed length and a wavefront reconstruction system in combination with the wavefront perturbation system. The system has an increased laser induced damage threshold and can transmit highly focused optical images.