Point Source, Inc.

David James Pointer

Ian Peter Alcock

David Anthony Egan

Christopher John Wackett

A laser systemcomprises six solid state diode laser modulestowhose output beams are directly coupled into beam steering devicestoand thereby routed to laser combining dichroic mirrorstowhich combine the individual laser beams into a single, co-aligned beam. The combined laser beam is directed into an optical fiberfor delivery to a target optical instrument such as a microscope. The output beam from delivery optical fiberis coupled to the target instrument via fiber output collimating optics The output of each of the diode laserstois controlled by direct modulation of the lasers' control (drive) currents.

Laser systems

A manipulator systemcomprises a manipulatorwhich includes two pairs of adjustment screwsand, which can be used to displace a lens group assemblyrelative to the longitudinal axis of the manipulator when the lens group assemblyis inserted within the manipulator. The lens group assemblycomprises a holderin the form of a hollow, cylindrical tube that has mounted in two lenses. The holderhas a throughbore through which a laser beam may be passed in use. The manipulator systemcan be used to adjust the tilt and displacement of the holder(and hence of the pair of lenses). Such adjustment will cause a laser beam passing through the manipulator systemand holderto have, e.g., a particular pointing direction and shape when exiting the lens group assembly

Optical assembly

An optical fiber connector comprising a main body in the form of a manipulatorhaving a throughbore which removably receives a sleeve-like carrieragain having a throughbore. The carrierreceives removably an optical fibre assembly which is to be coupled to another optical component by means of the connector. The manipulatoralso includes two pairs of adjustment screws, andwhich can be used to displace the carrier and optical fibre assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the manipulator. A polarising elementis arranged in the manipulatorsuch that light passing through the connector system will pass through the polarising element

Optical fiber connector

The end face of an optical fiberis polished at an angle to alter the cross-sectional dimensions of a light beam exiting the fiber through that end face to alter the cross-sectional circularity of the light beam after it has exited the fiber as compared to its cross-sectional circularity when it is in the fiber. For example, to increase the circularity of an exiting light beam, the angled fiber end face can be aligned such that the major axis of the sloping fiber end face is aligned with the major cross-sectional axis of the light beam in the fiber (i.e. perpendicular to the minor cross-sectional axis of the light beam in the fiber). This has the effect of reducing the length of the major cross-sectional axis of the light beam once it has exited the fiber.

Optical fibers

An optical fibre connector comprising a hollow cylindrical body,having a throughbore,with an inner surface,A hollow sleeve or carrier,in the form of a cylindrical tube having a throughbore,fits snugly within the hollow body throughbore,The sleeve,can receive and releasably retain a pair of optical fibre assemblies,which are to be optically coupled to one another by means of the connector. The sleeve,accommodates a plurality of discrete individual engagement means in the form of balls,in holes around it circumference. The balls,protrude through the holes in the sleeve into the throughbore,and are free to rotate as an optical fibre assembly moves past them. The optical fibre assemblies,are biassed against the balls,and thereby against the inner surface of the connector body by resilient biassing means in the form of spring arrangements,Each spring arrangement,comprises an elongate resilient strip,pivoted about its midpoint on a pivot,In this arrangement, as an optical fibre assembly,is inserted into the carrier,the pivoting action of the spring prevents the biassing force being applied by the spring on the assembly until a first,and second,end of the assembly are in contact with a distal,and proximal,end respectively of the spring arrangement.

Optical fibre connector

An optical fiber connector comprising a manipulator,in the form a cylindrical tube having a throughbore,which receives a carrier,in the form a cylindrical tube having a throughbore,. The carrier,receives an optical fiber assembly,which is to be coupled to another optical component by means of the connector. The manipulator,has two pairs of adjustment screws,and,, which can be used to displace the carrier and optical fiber assembly within the manipulator. The manipulator also includes two adjustable spring plungers,for applying a variable resilient biassing force to urge the carrier against the contact points of the adjustment means when it is inserted into the manipulator. The carrier,includes plural pads,, which have flat, planar surfaces,and protruding studs,mounted therein. The pads are arranged in holes,in the carrier body such that their flat surfaces form part of the outer surface of the carrier. These flat surfaces form lands that the adjustment means engage when the carrier is inserted in the manipulator. The carrier also includes a separable collar,which can be secured to the optical fiber assembly and which mates with the main body of the carrier in a single orientation with respect to rotation about the longitudinal axis of the carrier.

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Southampton, United Kingdom

David James Pointer