Continuously variable fiber optic delay line
US4676585A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S359/90
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A continuously variable optical delay line having a first substrate (66, 70) and a second substrate (95). The first substrate is composed of a quartz block (70) with a large radius of curvature along its length, supporting a silicon substrate (66) having a plurality of longitudinal, parallel v-grooves (68). A single length (121) of single mode optical fiber is wrapped around the first substrate (66, 70) in helical fashion with each loop being secured in one of the v-grooves (68). The portions of the fiber (121) in the v-grooves (68) are lapped and polished to create a flat coupling surface extending laterally and longitudinally across the first substrate (66, 70). The second substrate (91) is composed of a quartz block with a single v-groove holding a segment of single mode fiber (95). The radius of curvature of this v-groove is substantially smaller than that of the first substrate, such that the flat coupling surface of the second substrate (91) is shorter than that of the first substrate (66). The first and second substrates are placed together such that the fiber in the second substrate is coupled to the fiber in the first substrate. By moving (142) the second substrate longitu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.