Fiber laser pump reflector

Making (80, Figure 6) a pump reflector 10 for reflecting pump radiation, comprising the steps of cleaving or, polishing a capillary tube to form an end-face. Heating the capillary tube above it's softening point in a region between ends thereof. Tapering the heated capillary tube by pulling on the ends thereof to form a small segment, and a large segment 16 thereof. Depositing a mirror coating 28 on the end face of the large segment 16. Etching one end of a double-clad optical fibre partially through a pump cladding thereof, partially-etched end having a diameter it is just smaller than the inside diameter of the small segment of the tapered capillary tube. Inserting the partially-etched end of the optical fibre through the small segment of the tapered capillary tube and heating at least a portion of the small segment of the tapered capillary tube to collapse and fuse the portion of the small segment onto the partially-etched end of the optical fibre.