Method of producing core protrusion relative to cladding in an optical fiber of a fiber optic connector
US5966485A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3863
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for providing core protrusion relative to cladding in an optical fiber mounted in a fiber optic connector includes the step of etching the end face of the fiber with a solution which preferentially removes the cladding from around the core of the optical fiber so that the core protrudes beyond the cladding. Additional steps may include fine polishing the end of the core in order to provide a relatively even end on the core and/or irradiating the end of the optical fiber with a laser in order to smooth the end of the core, thereby facilitating contact with the end of the second optical fiber in a fiber optic connector. As a result, according to the present invention a fiber optic connector with a protruding core is also provided. The core protrudes beyond the end of the cladding to improve contact and thus reduce reflectance when mated with a second fiber optic connector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.