Pigtailing optical fiber
US5071215A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 1990 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4202
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of aligning the optical axes of an optical fiber and a waveguide imbedded in an integrated optical chip and of attaching the fiber to the chip includes the step of coating the outer surface of the fiber with solder in the vicinity of an end of the fiber. A portion of the fiber at the coated end is cut away such that a flat surface at a tangential or near tangential relation to the fiber core results. A surface of the chip has solder pads disposed thereon such that the outer edges of the cut portion of the fiber contacts the solder pads when the flat surface of the fiber is placed in contact with the surface of the chip, such placement of the fiber onto the chip providing for vertical alignment of the optical axes of the fiber core and the waveguide in the chip. Finally, the solder on the outer fiber surface and on the solder pads is heated at the junction therebetween, the resulting surface tension forces bringing the optical axis of the fiber core into precise optical alignment with the optical axis of the waveguide in the chip.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.