Optical coupling structure, method of realizing such a structure and related positioning means

US5809197A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Alcatel N.V. · NL

Inventors

• Wim Jozef Robert Delbare · Gentbrugge, BE
• Jan Vandewege · Evergem, BE
• Peter Vetter · Ekeren, BE
• Francois Jeanne Charles Leyssens · Mortsel, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 17, 1995
• Grant date: Sep 15, 1998
• Expiry date: May 17, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/3885
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A coupling structure couples an optical termination (T1/T5) of an optical fiber conductor (F1/F5) to an optical terminal (T1'/T5') of an optical device which can be another optical fiber conductor. The structure includes a carrier (S, P) wherein the optical fiber conductor is embedded therein to have at least one locally bent portion reaching an outer surface of the carrier and forming there the optical termination. The carrier includes a first positioning device (P) to correctly position the optical termination with respect to the carrier and a second positioning device (L1-L3) which cooperates with a third positioning device (s1, s2, s3) of an optical arrangement including the optical device to provide the coupling. The first positioning device (P) is a plate having a substantially V-shaped lateral cut-out portion wherein the optical termination (T1/T5) fits and the second and third positioning devices are upstanding tongue shaped elements and edges of cut-out parts of the carrier and of the optical arrangement.