Importance

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Abstract

A fiber optic coupler for coupling an asymmetrical beam such as provided by a laser diode into a fiber optic cable. The coupler comprises at least one fiber optic cable having a longitudinally-formed approximately flat entrance facet and a cylindrical curved reflective surface formed on a first end. The curved reflective surface defines a line focus proximate to the entrance facet. A support structure situates the entrance facet proximate to the laser diode so that the line focus is approximately aligned with the narrow output aperture of the laser diode. The fiber optic cable may have any cross-section, such as circular, rectangular, or square. The fiber optic cable also includes a main body for receiving and transmitting the coupled laser radiation, and an output end having an approximately flat exit facet for outputting the laser radiation. The coupler is particularly useful for coupling multiple output beams from a laser diode array into a plurality of fibers that are collected on their output ends to approximate a single beam, which can be then applied to end-pump a solid state laser.

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First Claim