Apparatus and method for absorbing laser energy that fails to couple into the core of a laser fiber, and for absorbing the energy that has been transmitted to the cladding of the laser

摘要

A fiber optic connector for coupling focused radiant energy from a laser to a fiber optic conductor includes a quartz alignment ferrule that is fused mechanically and optically to the fiber's proximal end, either by an index matching first adhesive or by heat fusing the cladding to the ferrule without removing the cladding from the end of the fiber. The fiber and ferrule are attached to the fiber's proximal termination connector by a second adhesive with a high refractive index which absorbs errant radiant energy that has propagated in the fiber's cladding. The absorbed errant energy is dissipated by the connector assembly as it is converted to heat.