Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure
Patent
1997-03-03
1998-10-06
Palmer, Phan T. H.
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure
385139, 385 60, G02B 636
Patent
active
058189920
ABSTRACT:
An optical terminator 100 is designed to make end-to-end contact with an optical fiber whose end portion is held within a cylindrical ferrule. The optical terminator reduces reflections that occur when an optical path encounters an abrupt change in refractive index (e.g., when the end portion of the optical fiber encounters an air gap whose refractive index n.apprxeq.1.0). The optical terminator includes a generally cylindrical member 110 that projects from, and is supported by, a backbone member 120. The cylindrical member and the backbone member are molded from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a one-piece structure. PMMA provides a reflection of about -40 dB. Nevertheless, plastic materials having an index of refraction of 1.46.+-.0.06 produce reflections that are less than about -34 dB, which is acceptable in a large number of applications. Moreover, plastic materials having a glass-transition temperature (T.sub.g) that is higher than about 80.degree. C., exhibit minimum indentation creep under a compressive load at elevated temperatures. In one embodiment, the optical terminator 100 is spring loaded within a connector housing 45. In another embodiment, the spring 44 is eliminated and a connector housing is integrally molded with the optical terminator as a one-piece structure 70.
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Aloisio, Jr. Charles Joseph
King Wilton Wayt
Lampert Norman Roger
Stephenson Daniel Lee
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Morra Michael A.
Palmer Phan T. H.
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