Patent ID: 8611710

Claim:
An optical collector including an optical input for incoupling light from multiple incoming optical waveguides into the collector and an optical output for outcoupling light from the collector into an outgoing optical waveguide, wherein the collector comprises an optical body with a base portion, in which the optical input including at least two first coupling points is arranged, and a tip portion, in which the optical output including a second coupling point is arranged, the first coupling points each have an optical input cross-sectional area and the second coupling point has an output cross-sectional area, and the output cross-sectional area is smaller than the total of all input cross-sectional areas, wherein the second coupling point includes a seat for an end portion of the outgoing optical waveguide, the seat including a receiving space having a base plane forming the output cross-sectional area, the receiving space tapering from the base plane in a direction toward the base portion of the collector, and wherein the optical body is cone-shaped and is defined by two light-conducting lateral faces designed as an outer lateral surface and an inner lateral surface of a cone, between which light is incoupled through the first coupling points and which radially inwards and radially outwards define a light-conducting region of the optical body, the inner lateral surface forming either a hollow cone tapering toward the tip portion or a cone made of a material not substantially penetrated by light.