Patent · US Expired

Fiber optic waveguide termination and method of forming same

US4290668A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
19References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 29, 1978
Grant dateSep 22, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 29, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S359/90
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A soft polymeric clad glass fiber waveguide with an easy to handle, low-loss end termination is disclosed. Each end termination is formed with a pair of telescopically assembled plastic sleeves. The inner sleeve is heat bondable to the glass core and has a refractive index lower than the glass core. It replaces an end portion of the soft rubbery polymeric cladding. The outer sleeve is heat shrinkable and during the termination procedure functions to compress, center and confine the inner sleeve. After termination, it functions to stiffen the fiber end and strain relieve the junction between the soft polymeric cladding and the stiffer inner sleeve. A method for making such a waveguide termination is disclosed. Also disclosed is an environmentally sealed optical waveguide of related construction.

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