Microactuator for precisely positioning an optical fiber and an associated method
US5881198A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4236
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A microactuator for precisely positioning an optical fiber, such as in alignment with an optical device, includes an alignment support structure, a carrier movably mounted on the alignment support structure and at least one actuator which bends or deflects in response to a predetermined stimuli to thereby controllably position the carrier and, in turn, an optical fiber mounted on the carrier relative to the alignment support structure. The actuator can include a bimorphic actuator, an asymmetric monomorph, a diaphragm or a comb structure, for example. As a result, the actuator typically deflects in response to electrical or thermal stimuli. The carrier can include the actuator such that upon deflection the actuator is urged against a portion of the alignment support structure and the carrier is correspondingly moved relative to the alignment support structure. Alternatively, the alignment support structure can include the actuator such that upon deflection the actuator is urged against a portion of the carrier and the carrier is correspondingly moved relative to the alignment support structure. By maintaining the alignment support structure in a fixed relation to an optical device,…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.