Optical terminator
US5619610A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3891
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical terminator 100 is designed to make end-to-end contact with an optical fiber 31 whose end portion is held within a cylindrical ferrule 400. The optical terminator minimizes reflections that occur when an optical path encounters an abrupt change in refractive index (e.g., when the end face of the optical fiber encounters an air gap). The optical terminator comprises a solid cylindrical structure, molded from a polymeric material (e.g., a methylpentene copolymer) having a refractive index similar to that of the optical fiber. The proximal end of the terminator abuts the cylindrical ferrule and is solid for a predetermined distance `d` along its longitudinal axis in order to provide at least 20 dB attenuation. The polymeric material is moldable and exhibits minimum indentation creep under a compressive load at elevated temperatures. In one embodiment, the terminator 100 is installed in a plug configuration. In this configuration, a coupling apparatus 20 is needed to interconnect the connector 40 that holds an optical fiber with the plug terminator 10 that holds the terminator. In another embodiment, the terminator 100 is installed within a receptacle configuration. In this c…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.