Patent · US Expired

Self-aligning support structure for optical components

US4079404A · kind A · utility

63Cited by
6References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 30, 1976
Grant dateMar 14, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 30, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S5/02251
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical assembly structure wherein miniature optical components such as lasers, modulators, lenses, thin-film and fiber-optic waveguides, and photodetectors are critically aligned and supported for coactive operation by means of two or more wafers which are formed with complementary grooves and mortises to support the loose optical components such as lenses and fiber-optic waveguides and to receive alignment rails to insure the relativity of the wafers, which also have formed integral therewith optical elements such as waveguides, modulators, and lasers, to produce an integrated optical assembly somewhat in the manner of an "optical bench," wherein the bench structure also provides an active optical element.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.