Fiber optic connector having at least one microactuator for precisely aligning an optical fiber and an associated fabrication method
US5606635A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4236
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fiber optic connector and an associated fabrication method includes a connector housing in which a substrate and at least one microactuator mounted on the substrate are disposed. The microactuator is adapted for movement relative to the substrate such that an optical fiber bonded to the microactuator can be controllably positioned with respect to an aperture defined in the front plate of the connector housing. One or more lens elements, such as graded index lens elements, can be at least partially disposed within respective ones of the apertures defined by the connector housing so as to collimate the optical signals transmitted via the respective optical fibers. The microactuator can include at least one bimorphic actuator having first and second layers formed of first and second materials, respectively, which respond differently to electrical stimuli. Accordingly, the bimorphic actuator can be deflected by electrical stimuli so as to be urged against a portion of the substrate to thereby controllably position the carrier relative to the substrate. As a result, the optical fiber can also be controllably positioned relative to a respective lens element. Thus, the optical signals t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.