Patent ID: 7734133
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: B23K,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. A system for transmitting laser beams, comprising: a source of laser beams; a first lens assembly operably coupled to the source of laser beams for receiving laser beams from the source and focusing the laser beams; a first hollow core waveguide having a first end operably coupled to an output of the first lens assembly for receiving the focused laser beams; a first end of an optical fiber coupled to a second end of the first hollow core waveguide for receiving the laser beams after they pass through the hollow core waveguide; a second hollow core waveguide having a first end coupled to a second end of the optical fiber for receiving the laser beams from the optical fiber; a second lens assembly having a first end operably coupled to the second hollow core waveguide for receiving the laser beams after they pass through the second hollow core wave guide; wherein: a length of the first hollow core waveguide and a focal length of the first lens assembly are selected such that a diameter of the laser beams entering the first waveguide is larger than an outer diameter of the optical fiber; and a length of the second hollow core waveguide is selected so that a diameter of the laser beams as they exit the second hollow core waveguide is greater than the outer diameter of the optical fiber.