Patent ID: 7248614
Filing Date: 2007-07-24
Classification: B23K,G02B,H01S

Abstract:
1. A laser beam generating unit having a semiconductor laser unit equipped with a plurality of beam emitting portions arranged in the shape of a matrix, each beam emitting portion being capable of emitting a laser beam, and a laser beam collecting means for collecting laser beams emitted from a plurality of said beam emitting portions, said laser beam collecting means comprising: an optical fiber bundle made by binding a plurality of optical fibers for idividually transmitting laser beams respectively emitted from a plurality of said beam emitting portions on a side where said laser beam is emitted, which is opposite to a laser beam receiving end facing a plurality of said beam emitting portions; a member having an emission entrance through which said laser beams collected by said optical fiber bundle enters, an emission exit in communication with said emission entrance, and a tapered groove connecting the emission entrance to the emission exit, said tapered groove formed so as to have a diameter that gradually decreases when moving from said emission entrance to said emission exit; wherein said tapered groove is polished or has a reflecting film; and wherein a power density of said laser beam emitted from said optical fiber bundle is enhanced within said tapered groove.