Coupler for optical waveguides

US4741589A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Alcatel N.V. · NL

Inventors

• Ernst Halder · Renningen, DE
• Michael Ulmer · Lingen (Ems), DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 16, 1984
• Grant date: May 3, 1988
• Expiry date: Oct 16, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/4202
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A coupler includes a transducer and an optical waveguide ending in front of the transducer, the fiber end of the optical waveguide is soldered into a guide sleeve by using a high-melting solder. To safeguard a sufficient adjusting clearance for the transverse displacements necessary for effecting the coupling, the guide sleeve in the wall of the housing of the encapsulated arrangement, passes through a borehole of larger diameter. This borehole is closed by a coverplate traversed as well by the guide sleeve, with this coverplate being connected to the guide sleeve and, simultaneously, to the housing by way of soldering and by the use of a low-melting solder. Due to the fact that the forces resulting during the cooling of the solder, act ring-symmetrically upon the guide sleeve, maladjusting transverse displacement vis-a-vis a previously adjusted position of the fiber end with respect to the transducer is prevented. Therefore, the soldering as carried out prior to the final assembly of the housing can be carried out by applying electrodes to the narrow sides of the housing frame in the current passage, and may be carried out subsequently to the adjustment and with the aid of an only…