Patent ID: 6270244
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A fiber optic illuminator, comprising:a light source;a waveguide for collecting the light from the light source and coupling the light into the input end of the primary optical fiber;a primary optical fiber, having an input end and an output end, for receiving light from the light source at the input end, transmitting the light, and emitting the light at the output end;a diffraction grating for receiving the light emitted from the output end of the primary optical fiber and diffracting wavelength components of the light; anda secondary optical fiber, having an input end and an output end, for receiving a selected diffracted wavelength component at the input end, transmitting the selected wavelength component, and emitting the selected wavelength component at the output end,wherein the waveguide comprises:a collecting segment having a substantially constant transverse profile along the length thereof;a homogenizing segment having a substantially constant transverse profile along the length thereof, the homogenizing segment transverse profile being smaller than the collecting segment transverse profile; anda condensing segment between the collecting segment and the homogenizing segment,wherein:an input end of the condensing segment is connected to an output end of the collecting segment;the input end of the condensing segment has a transverse profile substantially the same as the collecting segment transverse profile;an output end of the condensing segment is connected to an input end of the homogenizing segment;the output end of the condensing segment has a transverse profile substantially the same as the homogenizing segment transverse profile; anda transverse profile of the condensing segment tapers along the length thereof from the input end of the condensing segment to the output end of the condensing segment.