Single optical fiber directional coupler
US4240694A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1977 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2808
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A coupler for transferring signals from a first group of single optical fibers to a second group of single optical fibers. The coupler provided for this purpose is a directional star coupler which is constructed so as to eliminate any need for the employment of a mixing chamber. A covering, or cladding, generally covers each optical fiber in order to prevent light from being emitted through the circumferential surface of such fiber. At an end portion of each of the fibers of both the first and second groups, the cladding is treated so as to allow light to be emitted from the circumferential surface of such portion. The end portions of the fibers of the first group are fed through an opening at one side of a coupling chamber. The end portions of the fibers of the second group are fed through another opening within the coupling chamber. The first and second groups of fibers are arranged within the chamber so that their end faces are in abutment with each other. In this manner, signals transmitted along any of the fibers of the first group are transferred to all of the fibers of the second group.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.