Patent
1983-05-04
1985-10-08
Sikes, William L.
350 9618, 350 9621, 350 9622, 350320, G02B 726
Patent
active
045456437
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and method provides an optically aligned connector for at le one optical fiber. A connector plate is machined with one flat surface which is placed in an abutting relationship on an optically flat mirror surface. A quarter pitch graded refractive index lens is inserted in a hole through the connector plate and bonded in place. The hole through the connector need not be precision bored nor is the fit between the lens and hole critical since the optical alignment is not dependent on these fittings but rather depends upon the abutting relationship of the flat abutting surface and the surface of the mirror. An optically excited fiber is brought to the close proximity of the lens and suitably micropositioned to a location where a maximum light intensity is monitored by a detector optically coupled to the excited fiber. When the fiber is positioned so that a maximum reflected intensity is monitored it is secured in place by, for example, a UV cureable adhesive. Mechanically indexing mating connector plates assure that an optical alignment from one fiber through its lens to another lens and onto another fiber is created. Multiple optical couplings between several pairs of fiber-lenses can simultaneously be created between a pair of appropriately designed connector plates. Optionally, appropriately machined collars held between single or multifibered connector plates are filled with an acceptable index matching fluid to assure suitable optical coupling.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4188087 (1980-02-01), D'Auria et al.
patent: 4215937 (1980-08-01), Borsuk
patent: 4257671 (1981-03-01), Barbaudy et al.
patent: 4266852 (1981-05-01), Higgins et al.
patent: 4268112 (1981-05-01), Peterson
patent: 4290667 (1981-09-01), Chown
patent: 4357072 (1982-11-01), Goodfellow et al.
patent: 4360249 (1982-11-01), Slemon
patent: 4378954 (1983-04-01), Baker
patent: 4398797 (1983-08-01), Wedertz et al.
Cowen Steven J.
Young Christopher M.
Beers Robert F.
Gonzalez Frank
Johnston Ervin F.
Keough Thomas Glenn
Sikes William L.
LandOfFree
Retro-reflective alignment technique for fiber optical connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Retro-reflective alignment technique for fiber optical connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Retro-reflective alignment technique for fiber optical connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2216470