Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Switch
Patent
1997-06-06
1999-07-06
Palmer, Phan T. H.
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Switch
385 19, 385 20, G02B 626
Patent
active
059206659
ABSTRACT:
Enhanced alignment of a mechanical optical switch is achievable using two optical fiber structures containing corresponding arrays of optical fibers fixed to first and second substrates cleaved from a common substrate. In an exemplary embodiment, an array of optical fibers is fixed to a common substrate substantially parallel to one another. The resulting structure is cleaved across the optical fiber array to produce cleaved structures. The enhanced optical fiber alignment at the cleaved edges is provided by securing particular respective surfaces of the cleaved substrates to surfaces of two bases aligned in a common plane. Such enhanced alignment occurs in a direction normal to the plane of the surfaces of the bases. Alignment of the optical fibers in a direction parallel to this plane and optical connections between optical fibers of the respective structures occurs by moving the second cleaved structure relative to the first cleaved structure in a direction along the cleaved edges.
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Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Palmer Phan T. H.
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