OPTICAL FIBRE COUPLER
An optical assembly comprising a plurality of inputs comprising optical fibres which have a non-circular core cross-section, the fibres having a proximal end for receiving light from a respective diode emitter and a distal end, the fibres being combined at their distal ends and joined to a single output fibre which has a circular core cross-section, whereby in use light from a plurality of diode emitters is combined and output through the single output fibre.
1 . An optical assembly comprising a combiner having a plurality of inputs comprising optical fibres which have a non-circular core cross-section, the fibres having a proximal end for receiving light from a respective diode emitter and a distal end, the fibres being combined at their distal ends and joined to a single output fibre which has a circular core cross-section, whereby in use light from a plurality of diode emitters is combined and output through the single output fibre.
2 . An optical assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fill-factor for the combiner exceeds 0.64.
3 . An optical assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the non-circular fibres are in an arbitrary arrangement.
4 . An optical assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the input fibres are arranged in one or more stacks or bundles.
5 . Apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fibres are rectangular or substantially rectangular in cross-section.
6 . An assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein an outer capillary is arranged around the fibres.
7 . An assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein an outer capillary is arranged around each stack or bundle of fibres.
8 . An assembly as recited in claim 1 , comprising a multi-fold stack of fibres.
9 . An assembly as recited in claim 8 , comprising three stacks of five fibres arranged in a three-fold configuration at the combining portion.
10 . An assembly as recited in claim 1 , comprising one or more stacks having seven fibres in a stack.
11 . A method of forming an optical combiner comprising a plurality of inputs comprising optical fibres which have a non-circular core cross-section, the fibres having a proximal end for receiving light from a respective diode emitter and a distal end, the fibres being combined at their distal ends and joined to a single output fibre which has a circular core cross-section, whereby in use light from a plurality of diode emitters is combined and output through the single output fibre.
12 . A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the fill-factor for the combiner exceeds 0.64.
13 . A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the input fibres are rectangular or substantially rectangular in cross-section.
14 . A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the fibres are formed from one or more stacks.
15 . A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the fibres are arranged in stacks of five and/or stacks of seven.
16 . A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein a plurality of stacks are provided having rotational symmetry.
17 . A method as recited in claim 11 , comprising a capillary mounted around at least a portion of the fibres which are fused to form the combiner.
18 . A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein a capillary is mounted around each stack or bundle of fibres.
19 - 21 . (canceled)