1.times.N and N.times.N fiber optic couplers
US5764830A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/2865
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides fiber optic couplers for use with at least three optic fibers. The optic fibers arranged in a linear array, that is, the optic fibers are coupled side by side. The fibers along either end of the linear-array are coupled only to a single fiber, while the remaining fibers are generally coupled between only two adjacent fibers. Generally, at least one of the fibers has a propagation constant different than the other fibers. Such variations in the propagation constant are used to vary the coupling coefficients among the fibers of the linear-array, thereby providing a repeatable mechanism, to vary coupled power ratios among the fibers of the coupler. Theoretical calculations and empirical experience have shown that varying the propagation constant of fibers among a linear-array, generally by pre-pulling the fibers by varying amounts, allows repeatable manufacturing of 1.times.3, 3.times.3, 1.times.4, 4.times.4, 1.times.N and even N.times.N fiber couplers having even coupled power ratios.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.