Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for selectively directing a laser beam into a plurality of optical fibers and for selectively shifting the laser beam among the fibers includes a connector member having a plurality of passages extending longitudinally therethrough, the passages being disposed in a nominal common plane. The input end of each optical fiber extends through a respective passage, with the axes of the input ends spaced closely together and oriented parallel to the axis of a laser beam directed toward the input ends. The laser beam passes through a positive lens having a focal plane coincident with the input ends of the optical fibers. An axially translatable shaft extends generally perpendicular to the nominal plane and to the beam axis, and is coupled to drive means to shift the axial position of the shaft selectively, rapidly, and reiteratively. A plurality of transparent, planar refracting panels are secured to the shaft in close axial spacing, the refracting panels oriented at differing tangential angles with respect to the shaft and disposed to be translated through the beam axis as the shaft translates to refract the laser beam parallel to the beam axis and offset therefrom sufficiently to direct the beam into an input end of a selected optical fiber.

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First Claim