Micro lens formation at optical fiber ends
US4118270A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 1976 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/262
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Method of formation of lenses at optical fiber ends to increase the coupling efficiency thereof. In a first embodiment, the end of the optical fiber is masked with a substance non-soluble in the etching reagent. The portion of the coating at the very end of the fiber is then removed and the fiber end immersed in an etching reagent. The etching reagent serves to dissolve the uncoated portion of the fiber. By controlling the amount of time that the fiber end is in the reagent, different lens shapes may be formed. In a second embodiment, the fiber end is dipped into a liquid epoxy compound whereby a portion of the epoxy is deposited onto the fiber end. The surface tension of the portion deposited thereon draws the liquid epoxy into the desired lens shape. The epoxy is then hardened to form a permanent lens structure on the fiber end.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.