High brightness combiner with shaped capillary

Abstract

The invention relates to a high brightness combiner with shaped capillaries. In some implementations, a high brightness combiner includes an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers associated with an encapsulation geometry defining a shape of an outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle. The high brightness combiner further includes a capillary structure including a glass housing surrounding the optical fiber bundle, where the capillary structure includes an outer periphery and an inner periphery having a shape corresponding to a shape of the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 591,344, filed on October 18, 2023, entitled “HIGH-BRIGHTNESS COMBINERS WITH SHAPED CAPILLARIES”. The disclosure of the prior application is considered part of and incorporated by reference into this patent application. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to capillary-based combiner structures and to combiners that use shaped capillary structures to control individual optical fibers during the manufacturing process, maximize brightness conversion, and improve manufacturability. Background Art

[0004] Fiber optic combiners are key components of high-power fiber lasers. For example, fiber optic combiners can be used to combine light from multiple output signals into a single output fiber or combine light with different wavelengths into a single output path. Pump combiners are specifically designed to combine multiple pump laser sources into a single fiber. Pump combiners achieve efficient energy transfer by combining the power from multiple pump lasers into a single fiber, which allows amplified signal transmission through doped fibers. On the other hand, pump signal combiners are used to combine signals and pump sources into a single output fiber. In an optical amplifier or laser, a pump signal combiner generally combines a signal that requires amplification with one or more pump sources that need to activate a gain medium in the optical amplifier or laser, which can enhance the signal by amplifying the signal through the gain medium while maintaining a single output path. Combiners play an important role in various applications, including mobile communications, fiber lasers, and optical signal processing, ensuring efficient and reliable signal amplification and transmission in fiber optic systems. Summary of the invention

[0005] In some implementations, a high brightness combiner includes: a fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers associated with a packaging geometry defining a shape of a periphery of the fiber bundle; and a capillary structure including a glass housing surrounding the fiber bundle, wherein the capillary structure includes: an outer periphery, and an inner periphery having a shape corresponding to the shape of the periphery of the fiber bundle.

[0006] In some implementations, the shaped capillary comprises: a glass shell surrounding a fiber optic bundle, the fiber optic bundle comprising a plurality of optical fibers associated with a packaging geometry defining a shape of a periphery of the fiber optic bundle, wherein the glass shell comprises: an outer periphery and an inner periphery, the shape of the inner periphery corresponding to the shape of the periphery of the fiber optic bundle.

[0007] In some implementations, a method for preparing a high brightness combiner includes: loading a plurality of optical fibers into a capillary structure, the plurality of optical fibers being associated with a packaging geometry that defines a shape of a periphery of a fiber bundle, the fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers, wherein the capillary structure is a glass shell surrounding the fiber bundle, the capillary structure including: an outer periphery and an inner periphery, the shape of the inner periphery corresponding to the shape of the periphery of the fiber bundle; tapering the capillary structure while applying a heat source along the length of the periphery of the capillary structure; and cutting the tapered capillary structure at a waist. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical fiber that may be used in a capillary-based combiner.

[0009] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example involving a combiner structure having a capillary having a standard circular shape.

[0010] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a high brightness combiner having a shaped capillary structure.

[0011] Figure 4 is a flow chart of an example process associated with a high brightness combiner having a shaped capillary structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following describes an exemplary implementation method in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example 100 of optical fibers that can be used in a capillary-based combiner. For example, a combiner for a fiber bundle is a device that allows light carried in multiple optical fibers to be combined and emitted through a single optical fiber. Combiners are typically designed to work with fiber bundles, where each fiber carries a separate laser beam (e.g., pump light and / or signal light). For example, a fiber bundle including multiple optical fibers that are combined (e.g., fused and tapered) within a combiner can include multiple pump fibers, multiple signal fibers, or a combination of one or more signal fibers and one or more pump fibers. In some cases, to protect sensitive optical fibers and components from external interference, the combiner can be enclosed in a protective glass housing (called a capillary) that protects the internal components from environmental factors (such as temperature fluctuations, moisture, and / or physical damage, among other examples).

[0014] Standard combiners typically utilize capillary structures to hold individual fibers in a compact package, where the individual fibers can then be fused. For example, Figure 1A conventional pump fiber 110 is depicted that may be used in a capillary-based combiner, wherein the pump fiber 110 may have a numerical aperture (NA) in a range between about 0.22 and about 0.28. Figure 1 As further shown in FIG. 1 , the pump fiber 110 may include a core 112 made of fused silica or other suitable material, and a cladding 114 that may be made of fluorine (F)-doped fused silica or other suitable material. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 1 Depicted are example signal fibers 120, 130 that may be used in a capillary-based combiner, where conventional signal fibers may have an NA in a range between about 0.06 and about 0.15. For example, Figure 1 An example signal optical fiber 120 is depicted having a core 122, which may be made of fused silica doped with germanium (Ge) or other suitable material, and a cladding 124, which may be made of fused silica or other suitable cladding material. Figure 1 An example signal optical fiber 130 having a core 132, a first cladding 134, and a second cladding 136 is depicted. The core 132 can be made of fused silica or other suitable materials, the first cladding 134 surrounding the core 132 can be made of F-doped fused silica or other suitable cladding materials, and the second cladding 136 surrounding the first cladding 134 can be made of the same material as the core 132 (e.g., fused silica) or other suitable cladding materials (e.g., different from the material of the first cladding 136).

[0015] also, Figure 1 Depicted are standard capillary structures 140, 150 that can be used to hold various individual optical fibers that form a fiber bundle (e.g., multiple pump fibers, multiple signal fibers, one or more signal fibers and one or more pump fibers, etc.). Figure 1 A single-layer capillary 140 is depicted, which is a glass shell including a single layer 142, which may be made of fused silica, F-doped fused silica, or other suitable material. Additionally, Figure 1 A double-layer capillary 150 is depicted, which is a glass shell including a first layer 152, which may be made of fused silica or other suitable material, and a second layer 154, which may be made of F-doped fused silica or other suitable material. Figure 1 Examples of single-layer capillaries 140 and double-layer capillaries 150 are shown, and in some cases, the capillary structure for holding the various individual optical fibers included in the optical fiber bundle may include three or more layers. However, as referred to herein, FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B As discussed in further detail, the use of standard capillaries (eg, where the inner circumference defining the opening for enclosing the optical fiber bundle is circular or substantially circular) has various disadvantages.

[0016] As indicated above, provide Figure 1 As an example. Other examples can be related to Figure 1 Different than described.

[0017] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example 200 involving a combiner structure having a capillary having a standard circular shape (eg, a circular or substantially circular inner circumference to surround and hold the various individual optical fibers forming the optical fiber bundle).

[0018] In conventional combiners having a standard capillary structure (e.g., having a circular or substantially circular inner circumference), the multiple optical fibers forming the fiber bundle typically rotate freely and may cross during the manufacturing process, which may present suboptimal fusion and degradation. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B An example 200 involving a combiner having a standard capillary structure (eg, a single-layer or multi-layer capillary) is illustrated. Figure 2A Reference numeral 210 in corresponds to the starting structure or configuration of a 3:1 combiner, where three output fibers are combined and housed within a standard capillary structure. Figure 2A Reference numeral 220 in FIG. 1 depicts the final configuration of the combiner, in which the various input fibers are fused so that the combined input fibers can be spliced ​​to one output fiber ( Figure 2A For example, Figure 2B As shown in reference numeral 230 in FIG, after the various optical fibers forming the optical fiber bundle have been suitably loaded into the capillary structure, the capillary structure can be clamped at the input end and the output end. As further shown in reference numeral 230, a heat source can be applied to the capillary structure to tape the optical fiber bundle, wherein the heat source can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the capillary structure between a clamp at the input end and a clamp at the output end. Applying the heat source to the capillary structure can soften the glass material (e.g., fused silica or the like) forming the capillary structure so that the glass material can be stretched or tapered, which causes the various optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle to fuse toward the output end of the combiner.

[0019] As shown at reference numeral 240, the tapered fiber bundle may then be cut at the waist (e.g., where the fiber bundle has a minimum diameter), producing Figure 2A, and the final configuration shown by reference numeral 220 in FIG. For example, as described herein, combiners are generally used to convert multiple input fibers (e.g., multiple pump fibers, multiple signal fibers, or a combination of one or more pump fibers and one or more signal fibers) into a single output fiber. Accordingly, an important design goal of a combiner is generally to convert multiple input fibers into a single output as efficiently as possible. For example, one method of efficiently converting multiple input fibers into a single output is to tightly pack the converted fiber bundles so that the shape of the bundle approximates a circle when the bundled fibers are fused and tapered, which results in improved splicing and minimizes brightness degradation. For example, FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B The diagram shows the case where three optical fibers are fused together to form a bundled cross section that is circular or as close to circular as possible. For example, as described herein and as Figure 2B As shown in , the glass of each fiber in the fiber bundle is heated and tension is provided during the fusion process, which creates surface tension. The surface tension has the effect of minimizing the surface area around the fiber bundle, which begins to change the shape of the bundle from an initial shape (e.g., a triangle or hexagon) at the input end to a circle at the output end. Figure 2A As further shown by reference numeral 220 in the diagram, the resulting structure is a combiner having a tapered shape, wherein the capillary structure is associated with an inverted taper from the input end of the capillary structure toward the output end of the capillary structure, such that the various optical fibers forming the fiber bundle are fused into a single optical fiber at the output end of the capillary structure. For example, as shown in a cross-sectional view of the combiner along the taper in the final configuration of the combiner, the input end of the combiner includes various optical fibers that match (e.g., in position and area) the input optical fibers coupled to the corresponding laser sources. Near the middle region of the taper, the various optical fibers begin to become more tightly fused, reducing the gap space between the various optical fibers. At the output end of the combiner, the various optical fibers are tightly packed and approximately joined to the core of the output optical fiber at the output end of the tapered combiner.

[0020] However, when loading a fiber bundle or multiple optical fibers into a standard capillary structure (e.g., having a circular or nearly circular inner circumference) to protect sensitive optical fibers and components from external interference, to protect the bundled optical fibers from environmental factors, and / or to hold various individual optical fibers in a compact packaging structure where the individual optical fibers can then be fused, the shape of the outer circumference of the fiber bundle may not match the inner circumference of the capillary structure, which may cause various problems. For example, when loading a fiber bundle including multiple optical fibers into a capillary structure whose inner circumference has a diameter sufficient to receive the fiber bundle, the various individual optical fibers forming the optical fiber are free to rotate within the capillary structure, which poses a higher risk of twisting, crossing and / or blocking of the individual optical fibers. In addition, as Figure 2AAs shown in , large gap regions (e.g., unoccupied space between optical fibers) may exist between optical fibers, which may cause significant deformation of the cores and claddings of the optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle when the optical fiber bundle is heated and fused. In addition, when the capillary structure encapsulating the optical fiber bundle is heated to enable the various individual optical fibers to be tapered and fused, the gap regions may cause deformation of the capillary structure (e.g., the material of the layers forming the capillary structure may collapse into the gap regions, causing the periphery of the capillary structure to deform from a circular shape to an irregular shape). Additionally or alternatively, gap regions in a standard (e.g., circular) capillary structure may cause poor fusion of the optical fiber bundle toward the output end, kinking of the optical fibers included in the optical fiber bundle, and / or other problems that may cause loss and / or degradation of the light to be combined within the combiner. Large gap regions may also generate bubbles during the fusion process and act as a carrier of contamination.

[0021] Accordingly, as described herein, the use of standard capillary structures (e.g., having a spherical, circular, or substantially circular inner circumference) to contain or otherwise enclose multiple optical fibers forming a fiber bundle may pose various challenges, including increased risk of twisting, crossing, blocking, fiber deformation, capillary deformation, poor bundle fusion, and / or kinking, all of which may result in dissipation and / or degradation (e.g., power dissipation and / or brightness degradation) within the combiner. In addition, while other techniques may be used to hold or otherwise enclose fiber bundles while the various fiber bundles are fused and tapered to form a combiner (such as drilling holes in a glass rod and feeding the fibers to be fused through the holes prior to fusion), such techniques are generally complex processes that are limited by the specific size of the holes that can be drilled (e.g., diameter and / or length) and / or by shaping the individual fiber claddings to form a spherical cross-section, which poses additional manufacturing challenges.

[0022] Accordingly, as referenced herein FIG. 3A to FIG. 3EAs further described in detail, the implementation methods described herein relate to a combiner that uses a shaped capillary structure to control individual optical fibers during the manufacturing process, maximize brightness conversion, and improve manufacturability. For example, as described herein, a fiber bundle including multiple optical fibers to be combined in a combiner can be associated with a packaging geometry that defines the shape of the periphery of the fiber bundle. Accordingly, a high brightness combiner can include a shaped capillary structure surrounding the fiber bundle, wherein the shaped capillary structure includes an outer periphery (e.g., a circular outer periphery) and an inner periphery, and the shape of the inner periphery corresponds to the shape of the periphery of the fiber bundle. In this way, multiple optical fibers forming the fiber bundle can be maintained in a desired packaging shape, which simplifies the process of loading the fiber bundle or various optical fibers forming the fiber bundle into the capillary structure (e.g., avoiding or minimizing fiber twisting, fiber crossing, and / or fiber blocking). In addition, in other examples, because the shape of the inner circumference of the capillary structure matches the shape of the outer circumference of the optical fiber bundle, the size of the gap region between the bundled optical fibers is reduced relative to a capillary structure having a circular or substantially circular inner circumference, which minimizes or reduces optical fiber deformation during fusion, maintains the roundness of the optical fiber bundle, minimizes or reduces air gaps, and / or minimizes or reduces contamination.

[0023] As indicated above, provide FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B As an example. Other examples may be related to FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B Different than described.

[0024] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E is a diagram illustrating an example 300 associated with a high brightness combiner having a shaped capillary structure. Figure 3A , reference numeral 310 corresponds to a starting structure of a 3:1 combiner having a shaped capillary structure, wherein three input optical fibers are combined and contained within the shaped capillary structure. For example, as described herein, the shaped capillary structure may generally correspond to a glass enclosure including one or more layers surrounding an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers to be fused and tapered into a single output, wherein the capillary structure includes an outer periphery having a circular or substantially circular shape and an inner periphery having a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle. Accordingly, as described herein, Figure 3B As shown in the reference number 320 in the above reference Figure 2B Multiple output fibers can then be fused into one output fiber using similar techniques as described above.

[0025] For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of optical fibers forming a fiber bundle may be loaded into a shaped capillary structure (e.g., individually or collectively, depending on the number and / or symmetry of the fiber bundle). In some embodiments, the fiber bundle may be preassembled or otherwise arranged into a bundled configuration, and the fiber bundle as a whole may then be loaded into the shaped capillary structure. Additionally or alternatively, within the inner periphery of the shaped capillary structure, each individual optical fiber included in the fiber bundle may subsequently be loaded into the shaped capillary structure. Additionally or alternatively, one or more subsets of the optical fibers included in the fiber bundle may subsequently be loaded into the shaped capillary structure until all of the optical fibers forming the fiber bundle have been loaded within the inner periphery of the shaped capillary structure. For example, in an N:1 combiner (where N is an integer having a value greater than or equal to 2 (e.g., a 12:1, 13:1, 15:1, or 19:1 combiner, such as Figures 3C to 3D As shown), a first subset of input optical fibers corresponding to the outermost optical fibers can be loaded into the shaped capillary structure, and then one or more additional subsets of input optical fibers corresponding to the inner optical fibers can be loaded into the shaped capillary structure until all optical fibers have been properly loaded within the capillary structure.

[0026] In some embodiments, after the fiber bundle has been loaded into the shaped capillary structure, the shaped capillary structure can be clamped at the input end and clamped at the output end, and a heat source can be applied to tape the fiber bundle. In some embodiments, the tapered bundle can then be cut at the waist to form a combiner. In some embodiments, before heating, tapering, and fusing processes, the various optical fibers forming the fiber bundle can be processed to match the shape of the shaped capillary (or vice versa), and the various optical fibers are loaded in the shaped capillary. In this way, the bundled optical fibers are kept in the desired packaging shape, which simplifies the process of loading the bundled optical fibers into the shaped capillary structure (e.g., avoiding optical fiber twisting and / or optical fiber crossing). In addition, because the bundled optical fibers match the capillary shape, the shaped capillary can minimize or reduce the gap space between the optical fibers, which minimizes optical fiber deformation during the tapering and / or fusion process, maintains the roundness of the optical fiber bundle, reduces air gaps, and / or reduces contamination.

[0027] like Figure 3B As shown in , the inner periphery of the shaped capillary structure can generally match the shape of the optical fiber bundle fused in the shaped capillary structure, and the shaped capillary structure can be a single-layer capillary structure or a multi-layer capillary structure (for example, including two or more layers). Figure 3B, reference numeral 330 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure of a 3:1 combiner, reference numeral 332 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure of a 4:1 combiner, and reference numerals 334-1 to 334-3 correspond to shaped capillary structures of a 7:1 combiner. For example, reference numeral 334-1 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure of a single-layer (e.g., where a single layer of glass material surrounds the optical fiber bundle) 7:1 combiner, reference numeral 334-2 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure of a double-layer (e.g., where a second layer of glass material is formed of a material different from or a doped version of the material used in the first layer, the second layer surrounds the first layer) 7:1 combiner, and reference numeral 334-3 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure of a triple-layer (e.g., where a third layer of glass material surrounds the second layer of glass material, the third layer being formed of the same material as the first layer, a different material from that used in the second layer, or a doped version of the material used in the second layer) 7:1 combiner.

[0028] In general, the shape of the shaped capillary structure can be optimized for any suitable fiber bundle (e.g., a fiber bundle including any suitable number, size, and / or type of optical fibers), such as a fiber bundle used in a pump combiner (e.g., including multiple pump fibers), a fiber bundle used in a signal combiner (e.g., including multiple signal fibers), and / or a fiber bundle used in a pump / signal combiner (e.g., including one or more pump fibers and one or more signal fibers). For example, FIG. 3C to FIG. 3D Example fiber bundles and corresponding shaped capillary structures for optical fibers including different numbers of optical fibers are illustrated. For example, reference numeral 340 corresponds to a 13:1 combiner with improved packaging, and reference numeral 345 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure with a shaped inner periphery that matches or otherwise corresponds to the improved packaging of the 13:1 combiner. Additionally, reference numeral 350 corresponds to a 19:1 combiner with improved packaging, and reference numeral 355 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure with a shaped inner periphery that matches or otherwise corresponds to the improved packaging of the 19:1 combiner. Similarly, reference numeral 354 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure with a shaped inner periphery that matches or otherwise corresponds to the improved packaging of the 19:1 combiner. Figure 3D , reference numeral 360 corresponds to a 12:1 combiner with improved packaging, wherein reference numeral 365 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure with a shaped inner periphery that matches or otherwise corresponds to the improved packaging of the 12:1 combiner, and reference numeral 370 corresponds to a 15:1 combiner with improved packaging, wherein reference numeral 375 corresponds to a shaped capillary structure with a shaped inner periphery that matches or otherwise corresponds to the packaging of the 15:1 combiner.

[0029] In some implementations, the various optical fibers bundled within the shaped capillary structure may each be of the same size (e.g., diameter) or may be associated with different sizes. For example, in the case where the various optical fibers bundled within the shaped capillary structure are of the same size, the various optical fibers included in the fiber bundle may have equal diameters. Additionally or alternatively, in the case where the various optical fibers bundled within the shaped capillary structure are of different sizes, the various optical fibers included in the fiber bundle may include at least a first optical fiber having a first diameter and a second optical fiber having a second diameter. In addition, in some implementations, the shape of the inner circumference of the shaped capillary structure may be appropriately modified to accommodate a symmetrical fiber bundle (e.g., where the packaging geometry of the various optical fibers is symmetrical on one or more axes), an asymmetric fiber bundle (e.g., where the packaging geometry of the various optical fibers is asymmetric on one or more axes), and / or a fiber bundle including optical fibers having different diameters. In addition, in some implementations, the outer circumference or outer diameter (OD) of the shaped capillary structure may be shaped into a spherical, hexagonal, or other suitable shape. Additionally or alternatively, the shaped capillary structure can include one or more additional layers surrounding the inner layer forming the inner circumference, which can be formed of a different material than the inner layer and / or a doped version of the material used in the inner layer. Additionally or alternatively, the shaped capillary structure can be grooved for one or more pump fibers to fit around the OD of the shaped capillary structure (e.g., for a multi-signal pump / signal combiner). For example, Figure 3E Examples of nested capillary structures are illustrated, wherein the capillary structure includes multiple shaping layers to match the packaging geometry of multiple layers of optical fibers. For example, reference numeral 380 corresponds to a 3:1 inner capillary structure without any optical fibers loaded into the inner capillary structure, and reference numeral 382 corresponds to a 3:1 inner capillary structure with an optical fiber bundle including three input optical fibers loaded into the inner capillary structure. Additionally, reference numeral 384 corresponds to an 8:1 outer capillary structure without any optical fibers loaded into the outer capillary structure, and reference numeral 386 corresponds to an 8:1 outer capillary structure with an optical fiber bundle including eight input optical fibers loaded into the outer capillary structure. Accordingly, as Figure 3E As further shown in , and by reference numeral 388, an outer capillary structure can be arranged to enclose an inner capillary structure, wherein each of the inner capillary structure and the outer capillary structure includes a circular outer periphery and a shaped inner periphery that matches the shape of the outer periphery of the bundled optical fibers, which are encapsulated or otherwise contained within the corresponding capillary structure (or layer). Additionally or alternatively, as described elsewhere herein, the outer periphery (or outer diameter) of the inner layer and / or outer layer of the capillary structure can be shaped as desired (e.g., spherical or circular, hexagonal, or grooved around the corresponding layer of the capillary structure to accommodate one or more optical fibers). For example, in Figure 3E In the context of, an inner layer of the capillary structure (e.g., as shown by reference numerals 380 and 382) can be shaped (e.g., grooved, etched, or otherwise shaped) to fit an optical fiber provided between the outer periphery of the inner layer and the inner periphery of the outer layer.

[0030] As indicated above, provide FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E As an example. Other examples can be related to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E Different than described.

[0031] Figure 4 is a flow chart of an example process 400 associated with a high brightness combiner having a shaped capillary structure. In some implementations, the process is performed by a manufacturing system that can fuse and tapere various optical fibers forming a fiber bundle. Figure 4 One or more process boxes.

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown in , process 400 may include: loading a plurality of optical fibers into a capillary structure, the plurality of optical fibers being associated with a packaging geometry that defines a shape of a periphery of an optical fiber bundle, the optical fiber bundle including the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the capillary structure is a glass shell surrounding the optical fiber bundle, comprising an outer periphery and an inner periphery, the inner periphery having a shape corresponding to the shape of the periphery of the optical fiber bundle (block 410). For example, in some implementations, the optical fiber bundle may be preassembled according to the packaging geometry that defines the shape of the periphery of the optical fiber bundle, and the entire optical fiber bundle may be loaded into a capillary structure having an inner periphery that is shaped to correspond to the shape of the periphery of the optical fiber bundle. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the plurality of optical fibers that form the optical fiber bundle may be loaded into the capillary structure individually or in one or more subsets.

[0033] like Figure 4 As further shown in FIG. 4 , process 400 may include tapering the capillary structure while applying a heat source along a length of a periphery of the capillary structure (block 420 ).

[0034] like Figure 4 As further shown in FIG. 4 , process 400 may include cutting the tapered capillary structure at a waist (block 430 ).

[0035] Process 400 may include additional implementations, such as any single implementation or any combination of implementations described below and / or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0036] In a first embodiment, the plurality of optical fibers includes a plurality of pump optical fibers, a plurality of signal optical fibers, or a combination of one or more signal optical fibers and one or more pump optical fibers.

[0037] In a second embodiment, either alone or in combination with the first embodiment, the shape of the inner periphery of the capillary structure reduces the size of one or more interstitial regions between the plurality of optical fibers along the capillary structure relative to a capillary structure having an amorphous inner periphery.

[0038] In a third embodiment, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second embodiments, the capillary structure is associated with an inverted taper from an input end of the capillary structure toward an output end of the capillary structure such that a plurality of optical fibers are fused into a single optical fiber at the output end of the capillary structure.

[0039] In a fourth embodiment, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third embodiments, the glass shell surrounding the optical fiber bundle is a first layer of the capillary structure, and the capillary structure further includes a second layer surrounding the first layer that is formed of a material different from that used in the first layer or a doped version of the material used in the first layer.

[0040] In a fifth embodiment, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth embodiments, the capillary structure further includes a third layer surrounding the second layer, formed of one or more of the material used in the first layer, a material different from the material used in the second layer, or a doped version of the material used in the second layer.

[0041] In a sixth embodiment, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth embodiments, the capillary structure is an internal capillary structure, and the high-brightness combiner further comprises an external capillary structure surrounding the internal capillary structure such that the internal capillary structure is nested within the external capillary structure, wherein the external capillary structure comprises an inner circumference having a shape corresponding to a shape of an outer circumference of one or more optical fibers in a second optical fiber bundle provided between the internal capillary structure and the external capillary structure.

[0042] In a seventh embodiment, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth embodiments, a plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle has a symmetrical packaging geometry.

[0043] In an eighth embodiment, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh embodiments, a plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle has an asymmetric packaging geometry.

[0044] In a ninth embodiment, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth embodiments, the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle have equal diameters.

[0045] In a tenth embodiment, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth embodiments, the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle includes at least a first optical fiber having a first diameter and a second optical fiber having a second diameter.

[0046] In an eleventh embodiment, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to tenth embodiments, the periphery of the capillary structure is shaped to fit one or more optical fibers provided in the second optical fiber bundle around the periphery.

[0047] although Figure 4 Example blocks of process 400 are shown, but in some implementations, process 400 includes more blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks in a different manner. Figure 4 Additionally or alternatively, more than two blocks of process 400 may be performed in parallel.

[0048] The foregoing disclosure provides illustrations and descriptions, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementation methods to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in view of the foregoing disclosure, or modifications and variations may be obtained from the practice of the implementation methods. In addition, unless the foregoing disclosure explicitly provides a reason why one or more implementation methods cannot be combined, any implementation method described herein may be combined.

[0049] As used herein, satisfying a threshold may refer to a value being greater than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than a threshold, less than or equal to a threshold, equal to a threshold, not equal to a threshold, etc., depending on the context.

[0050] Even if specific combinations of features are listed in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the various implementation methods. In fact, many of these features can be combined in ways that are not specifically listed in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of the various implementation methods includes the combination of each dependent claim with each other claim in the claim set. As used herein, the phrase "at least one" in a list of reference items refers to any combination of these items, including a single item. For example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination with multiple identical items.

[0051] Unless so clearly described, the elements, behaviors or instructions used herein should not be interpreted as critical or necessary. In addition, as used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more, and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the article "the" is intended to include one or more referred to by the article "the", and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the term "set" is intended to include one or more (such as a combination of related items, irrelevant items, or related items and irrelevant items), and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the terms "has", "have", "having", etc. are intended to be open terms. In addition, unless otherwise clearly stated, the term "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on". In addition, as used herein, unless otherwise expressly stated (e.g., if used in combination with "either" or "only one of"), the term "or" when used in series is intended to be inclusive and can be used interchangeably with "and / or". In addition, spatially relative terms (such as "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc.) may be used herein to simplify descriptions to describe the relationship of one element or feature illustrated in the figure to another element or feature. Spatially relative terms are intended to cover different turns of the device, equipment, and / or element in use or operation other than the turn depicted in the figure. The device may be turned in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may also be interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. A high brightness combiner, comprising: an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers associated with a packaging geometry defining a shape of a perimeter of the optical fiber bundle; as well as A capillary structure comprising a glass housing surrounding the optical fiber bundle, wherein the capillary structure comprises: Peripheral, and The inner periphery has a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle.

2. The high brightness combiner of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers comprises a plurality of pump optical fibers, a plurality of signal optical fibers, or a combination of one or more signal optical fibers and one or more pump optical fibers.

3. The high brightness combiner of claim 1 , wherein the shape of the inner periphery of the capillary structure reduces the size of one or more interstitial regions between the plurality of optical fibers along the capillary structure relative to a capillary structure having an amorphous inner periphery.

4. The high brightness combiner of claim 1 , wherein the capillary structure is associated with an inverted taper from an input end of the capillary structure toward an output end of the capillary structure such that the plurality of optical fibers are fused into a single optical fiber at the output end of the capillary structure.

5. The high brightness combiner of claim 1 , wherein the glass shell surrounding the optical fiber bundle is a first layer of the capillary structure, and wherein the capillary structure further comprises: A second layer, surrounding the first layer, is formed of a material different from that used in the first layer or a doped version of the material used in the first layer.

6. The high brightness combiner according to claim 5, wherein the capillary structure further comprises: A third layer, surrounding the second layer, is formed of one or more of the material used in the first layer, a material different from the material used in the second layer, or a doped version of the material used in the second layer.

7. The high brightness combiner of claim 1 , wherein the capillary structure is an internal capillary structure, and wherein the high brightness combiner further comprises: an outer capillary structure surrounding the inner capillary structure such that the inner capillary structure is nested within the outer capillary structure, wherein the outer capillary structure includes an inner periphery having a shape corresponding to a shape of an outer periphery of one or more optical fibers in a second optical fiber bundle provided between the inner capillary structure and the outer capillary structure.

8. The high brightness combiner of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle have a symmetrical packaging geometry.

9. The high brightness combiner of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle have an asymmetric packaging geometry.

10. The high brightness combiner of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle have equal diameters.

11. The high brightness combiner of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle comprises at least a first optical fiber having a first diameter and a second optical fiber having a second diameter.

12. The high brightness combiner of claim 1, wherein the periphery of the capillary structure is shaped to fit around the periphery one or more optical fibers provided in a second optical fiber bundle.

13. A shaped capillary tube comprising: A glass enclosure surrounding an optical fiber bundle, the optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers associated with a packaging geometry defining a shape of an outer perimeter of the optical fiber bundle, wherein the glass enclosure comprises: Peripheral, and The inner periphery has a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle.

14. The shaped capillary of claim 13, wherein the shape of the inner periphery reduces the size of one or more interstitial regions between the plurality of optical fibers relative to a capillary structure having a circular inner periphery.

15. The shaped capillary of claim 13, wherein the glass shell is a first layer of the shaped capillary, and wherein the shaped capillary further comprises: A second layer, surrounding the first layer, is formed of a material different from that used in the first layer or a doped version of the material used in the first layer.

16. The shaped capillary of claim 13, wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle have a symmetrical packaging geometry.

17. The shaped capillary of claim 13, wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle have an asymmetric packaging geometry.

18. The shaped capillary of claim 13, wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle have equal diameters.

19. The shaped capillary of claim 13, wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle comprises at least a first optical fiber having a first diameter and a second optical fiber having a second diameter.

20. A method for preparing a high brightness combiner, comprising: loading a plurality of optical fibers into a capillary structure, the plurality of optical fibers being associated with a packaging geometry defining a shape of an outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle, the optical fiber bundle including the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the capillary structure is a glass enclosure surrounding the optical fiber bundle, the capillary structure comprising: Peripheral, and an inner periphery having a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle; tapering the capillary structure while applying a heat source along the length of the periphery of the capillary structure; and The capillary structure is tapered and cut at the waist.

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