Star coupler for optical fibers
US4714313A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1984 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2817
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and a manufacturing method for a star coupler/monitor (10). A star coupler/monitor comprises a beam splitter (25) and at least one imaging element (30) oriented relative to first, second, and third spatially discrete regions (35a-c) as follows. A minor portion of the light emanating from any given point in the first region (35a) is imaged at a corresponding point in the second region (35b). A major portion of the light emanating from the given point is imaged at a corresponding point in the third region (35c). The ends of N input fibers in an input bundle (12) are registered in an array in the first region (35a). The ends of N monitor fibers in a monitor bundle (15) are registered fiber-by-fiber at optically conjugate locations in the second region (35b) so that a minor portion of the light emanating from any one of the input fibers is imaged at the corresponding monitor fiber end. An integrating element (17) such as a rod is disposed in the third region (35c). The method achieves registration simply and virtually automatically by forming both bundles in the first instance from a single bundle. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of fibers (76), reduci…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.