Laser diode assembly including a cylindrical lens

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:868134

Snyder, James J ^[1]; Reichert, Patrick ^[2]

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1. San Jose, CA
2. Hayward, CA

The present invention provides a diffraction limited, high numerical aperture (fast) cylindrical microlens. The method for making the microlens is adaptable to produce a cylindrical lens that has almost any shape on its optical surfaces. The cylindrical lens may have a shape, such as elliptical or hyperbolic, designed to transform some particular given input light distribution into some desired output light distribution. In the method, the desired shape is first formed in a glass preform. Then, the preform is heated to the minimum drawing temperature and a fiber is drawn from it. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber bears a direct relation to the shape of the preform from which it was drawn. During the drawing process, the surfaces become optically smooth due to fire polishing.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5081639
• OSTI ID: 868134
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

laser
diode
assembly
including
cylindrical
lens
provides
diffraction
limited
numerical
aperture
fast
microlens
method
adaptable
produce
shape
optical
surfaces
elliptical
hyperbolic
designed
transform
particular
input
light
distribution
desired
output
formed
glass
preform
heated
minimum
drawing
temperature
fiber
drawn
cross-sectional
bears
direct
relation
process
optically
smooth
due
fire
polishing
output light
light distribution
numerical aperture
cylindrical lens
input light
laser diode
desired shape
assembly including
diffraction limited
desired output
cross-sectional shape
optical surfaces
smooth due
optically smooth
minimum drawing
glass preform
drawing process
optical surface
fiber bears
direct relation
cylindrical microlens
drawing temperature
fire polishing
diode assembly
/372/359/