Self aligning pigtail
US5073002A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 1990 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4203
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of aligning the optical axis in the core of an optical fiber with the optical axis in a waveguide imbedded in an integrated optical (IO) chip includes the step of coating an end face of the fiber with a layer of solder such that the solder coating covers the cladding portio of the fiber without covering the core portion of the fiber. The IO chip has a block of similar IO material mounted to a surface of the chip such that a planar end face of the chip is aligned with a planar end face of the block. The end faces of the block/chip are coated with a layer of solder such that the solder coating covers the entire end face of the block/chip without covering the waveguide. The coated fiber end face is brought in contact with the solder coated end face of the block/chip such that the core and waveguide are in approximate axial alignment. The solder layers on the fiber and blockchip end faces are then melted whereby the resulting surface tension forces are such that the optical axes of the core and waveguide are in precise alignment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.