Optical: systems and elements – Deflection using a moving element – Using a periodically moving element
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-19
2003-05-27
Nguyen, Thong (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Deflection using a moving element
Using a periodically moving element
C359S199200, C359S618000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06570688
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for cutting, cleaving, or forming waveguides to precise differential lengths. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for cleaving two or more optical waveguides to precise differential lengths.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are numerous applications in fields such as communications, testing, and measurement that require two or more waveguides having precise differential lengths. In particular, there are many applications in these fields that require two or more optical fibers having precise differential lengths.
Prior art methods of cleaving optical fibers to precise differential lengths have limited accuracy and have numerous other disadvantages. For example, one prior art method involves repeatedly polishing the end face of the optical fiber and then measuring its optical path length. In this method, the optical fiber is cut to an approximate length that is greater than the desired length and the optical path length of the fiber is measured. The end face of the optical fiber is then polished to reduce the length of the optical fiber and the new optical path length of the fiber is measured. This process of polishing and measuring is repeated until of the desired fiber length is achieved. This prior art method is very time and labor intensive and, therefore, is not suitable for manufacturing components in large volume. In addition, the polishing may damage the optical fiber making it unsuitable for some applications.
Another prior art method of cleaving optical fibers to precise differential lengths uses thermal fiber stretching techniques to change the length of the fiber to the desired length. This prior art method uses a fusion splicer or optical fiber furnace to heat and stretch the optical fiber to the desired length. This prior art method also has numerous disadvantages. The equipment for thermally stretching and cutting optical fibers to precise lengths is expensive, physically large and complex.
In addition, optical fibers can only be stretched in a limited range and stretching an optical fiber may weaken the fiber and, therefore, make it susceptible to failing. Therefore, thermal fiber stretching methods may not be suitable for optical fiber systems that require high reliability. Also, stretching an optical fiber may change the polarization and dispersion properties of the optical fiber. Therefore, thermal fiber stretching techniques may not be suitable for some applications and for some special types of optical fiber, such as polarization maintaining and dispersion compensating optical fiber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cutting, cleaving or forming waveguides to precise differential lengths. By differential length we mean the difference in length from one waveguide to another waveguide. The methods and apparatus of the present invention apply to any type of waveguide including high frequency and optical waveguides.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for cleaving two or more optical fibers to an accuracy on the order of 100 microns or less. It is another object of the present invention to improve the manufacturability of components for high-speed optical time-domain multiplexing (OTDM) communication systems, such as OTDM multiplexers and demultiplexers. It is another object of the present invention to improve the manufacturability of components for differential detection systems including coherent detection systems.
A discovery of the present invention is that two or more optical waveguides can be cut to a differential accuracy of less than 20 microns by aligning a cleaving tool at a position that is determined with reference to two optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) measurements. In one embodiment of the invention, one OTDR measurement is taken to an end of the waveguide and the other OTDR measurement is taken to a reference mirror positioned in the path of radiation propagating from the end of the waveguide.
Accordingly, the present invention features a method of cutting waveguides to precise differential lengths. The method includes coupling a first end of a waveguide to an input port of a reflectometer. A reference mirror is then positioned in a path of radiation propagating through the second end of the waveguide. A waveguide cutting tool is then positioned proximate to the waveguide and at a distance relative to a reference mirror.
A first reflectometry measurement is performed on the waveguide to a second end of the waveguide. A second reflectometry measurement is performed on the waveguide to the reference mirror. The first and/or second reflectometry measurements may be OTDR measurements. The waveguide is then positioned relative to the reference mirror and waveguide cutting tool so that the first reflectometery measurement is a measurement increment apart from the second reflectometry measurement. The measurement increment may be a time or a distance measurement increment. The waveguide is then cut with the cutting tool positioned at the distance relative to the reference mirror.
The above method is repeated for a new waveguide with the measurement increment being the same measurement increment displaced by a second measurement increment that corresponds to a desired differential length between the waveguide and the new waveguide. The same measurement increment may be displaced by the second measurement increment by adding the measurement increment to the second measurement increment or by subtracting the measurement increment from the second measurement increment.
The present invention also features a method of cutting two optical fibers to a precise differential length. The method includes coupling a first end of a first optical fiber to an input port of a reflectometer. A reference mirror is then positioned in a path of radiation propagating through the second end of the first optical fiber. A fiber cleaving tool is then positioned proximate to the first optical fiber and at a distance relative to a reference mirror.
A first reflectometry measurement is performed on the first optical fiber to a second end of the first optical fiber. A second reflectometry measurement is performed on the first optical fiber to the reference mirror. The first and/or second reflectometry measurements may be OTDR measurements. The first optical fiber is then positioned relative to the reference mirror and fiber cleaving tool so that the first reflectometery measurement is a measurement increment apart from the second reflectometry measurement. The measurement increment may be a time or a distance measurement increment. The first optical fiber is then cut with the cutting tool positioned at the distance relative to the reference mirror.
The above method is repeated for the second optical fiber with the measurement increment being the same measurement increment displaced by a second measurement increment that corresponds to a desired differential length between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The same measurement increment may be displaced by the second measurement increment by adding the measurement increment to the second measurement increment or by subtracting the measurement increment from the second measurement increment.
The present invention also features a method of manufacturing a bit interleaved optical multiplexer having N channels. The method includes cleaving N output optical fibers of a 1×N optical splitter to desired differential lengths. Each of the N output optical fibers is cleaved by aligning an optical fiber cleaving tool at a position along the output optical fiber that is determined with reference to two OTDR measurements of the output optical fiber. In one embodiment, the two OTDR measurements of the output optical fiber comprise a first OTDR measurement to an end of the output optical fiber and a second OTDR measurement to a reference mirror.
N fiber pigtail modulator sections are then cleaved to desired differential lengths. Each of the N fibe
AXE, Inc.
Lavarias Arnel C.
Nguyen Thong
Rauschenbach Kurt
Rauschenbach Patent Law Group, LLC
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for cutting waveguides to precise... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for cutting waveguides to precise..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for cutting waveguides to precise... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3018336