OPTICAL DEVICE HAVING FLUOROCARBON POLYMER LAYER
Embodiments of the invention are directed to an optical device, such as an optical device for use in a laser system. One embodiment of the optical device includes first and second components. A fluorocarbon polymer layer is between the first and second components. Embodiments of the fluorocarbon polymer layer comprise a fluorocarbon polymer in the form of an adhesive, an oil, a lubricant or a paste. In one embodiment, the fluorocarbon polymer layer is in the form of an adhesive that bonds the first and second components together.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . An optical device comprising:
an optical fiber including an optical fiber core;
a fiber cap comprising a cap body having an interior cavity and an opening to the interior cavity, wherein a distal end of the optical fiber core is received within the interior cavity through the opening; and
and fluorocarbon polymer layer between the fiber cap and the optical fiber.
22 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer layer comprises a fluorocarbon polymer adhesive.
23 . The device of claim 22 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive covers a portion of the cap body adjacent the opening and a portion of the optical fiber.
24 . The device of claim 23 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive covers a portion of the cap body adjacent the opening and a portion of a jacket of the optical fiber surrounding the optical fiber core.
25 . The device of claim 22 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive is between an exterior surface of the distal end of the optical fiber core and an interior surface of the cap body.
26 . The device of claim 21 , wherein:
laser light transmitted through the optical fiber travels along a laser path through the optical fiber and the fiber cap; and
the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive is located within the laser path.
27 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the optical fiber core includes a beveled optical surface.
28 . A laser system comprising:
a laser resonator configured to output a laser beam;
an optical fiber having a proximal end coupled to the laser resonator, the optical fiber including an optical fiber core configured to transmit the laser beam;
a fiber cap comprising a cap body having an interior cavity and an opening to the interior cavity, wherein a distal end of the optical fiber core is received within the interior cavity through the opening; and
and fluorocarbon polymer layer between the fiber cap and the optical fiber core.
29 . The system of claim 28 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer layer comprises a fluorocarbon polymer adhesive.
30 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive covers a portion of the cap body adjacent the opening and a portion of the optical fiber.
31 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive covers a portion of the cap body adjacent the opening and a portion of a jacket of the optical fiber surrounding the optical fiber core.
32 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive is between an exterior surface of the distal end of the optical fiber core and an interior surface of the cap body.
33 . The system of claim 28 , wherein:
the laser beam travels along a laser path through the optical fiber and the fiber cap; and
the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive is located within the laser path.
34 . The system of claim 33 , wherein the laser resonator comprises:
a laser element configured to emit laser light having a first frequency responsive to a light input; and
a nonlinear crystal configured to increase the frequency of the emitted laser light to a second frequency, which is higher than the first frequency.
35 . A method comprising:
providing an optical fiber including an optical fiber core;
providing a fiber cap comprising a cap body having an interior cavity and an opening to the interior cavity;
inserting a distal end of the optical fiber core through the opening and into the interior cavity of the cap body; and
bonding the cap body to the optical fiber using a fluorocarbon polymer adhesive.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein bonding the cap body to the optical fiber comprises applying the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive to at least one of a surface of the optical fiber and a surface of the cap body and placing the surfaces in contact with each other.
37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein applying the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive occurs prior to inserting a distal end of the optical fiber core through the opening and into the interior cavity of the cap body.
38 . The method of claim 35 , further comprising pre-curing the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive before bonding the cap body to the optical fiber.
39 . The method of claim 35 , further comprising heating the optical fiber and the cap body to a temperature of approximately 70°-250° C.
40 . The method of claim 35 , further comprising transmitting laser light through the optical fiber core, the cap body and the fluorocarbon polymer adhesive.