Interconnection means for optical waveguides
US5039192A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/34
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An interconnection structure for coupling light frequency signals into and out of a planar optical waveguide including a dielectric planar waveguide structure having at least two opposite parallel surfaces and through which light frequency signal modes are able to propagate by internal reflections from the surfaces resulting in zigzag paths through the waveguide structure which has a thickness h, and a refractive index of n.sub.w. A coupling element composed of light transparent material is provided having a surface in contact with a surface of the planar waveguide structure at a first given contact area, the coupling element having a circular cross section and a refractive index of n.sub.s through which light frequency signal modes are able to propagate internally along chord paths in the coupling element by internal reflections from the surface of the coupling element, and wherein the internal reflections of the light frequency signal modes in the waveguide structure and in the coupling element are frustrated at the given area of contact such that light signal modes in the waveguide structure can enter and exit the waveguide structure and the coupling element at the contact area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.