Importance

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Abstract

A fiber optic connection system including one or more fiber optic bundles for highly efficient collection, transmission and/or distribution of optical radiation is disclosed. For each bundle, the cladding thickness is reduced or removed along a portion of each fiber, forming uncladded or reduced cladding fiber sections or ends, and the unclad or reduced cladding fiber sections/ends are pressed or fused to form intimate core contact section. The intimate core contact section may optionally be coated with a cladding material. The resulting bundle consists substantially or exclusively of optical fiber cores, with little or no interstitial area. The bundles of the present invention thus provide the ability to transmit optical radiation to or from the fiber optic bundles, or between bundles, with little or no loss of power. Further, optical terminations may be included on the ends of these bundles to increase the input energy into the bundle or distribute the energy to other sources. Also provided are radiation distribution systems utilizing one or more bundles to distribute radiation to or from a plurality of light guides. Radiation combining, collecting and distribution systems, as well as methods of manufacturing these bundles are also provided.

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First Claim