Method and device for waveguide connection

US5984534A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ) · SE

Inventors

• Håkan Elderstig · Bromma, SE
• Olle Larsson · Kronach, DE
• Goran Palmskog · Järfälla, SE
• Ove Ohman · Uppsala, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 24, 1997
• Grant date: Nov 16, 1999
• Expiry date: Mar 24, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01L2224/11
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Replicated polymeric microstructures have been used in the fabrication of optofiber waveguide connections, with the intention of simplifying the production of such connections, and therewith greatly reduce manufacturing costs. Fabrication is commenced from a silicon chip in which there has been etched grooves whose cross-sectional shape has been adapted to accommodate waveguides, such as optofibers. Firstly, the silicon chip is replicated, by plating the silicon chip with nickel for instance. The replication then serves as a model for producing a plastic copy of the silicon chip. This method of manufacture is able to produce waveguide accommodating grooves (2), such as optofiber accommodating grooves, to a very high degree of accuracy. Furthermore, the method provides a high degree of freedom in the configuration of the grooves, and also enables branched grooves for receiving branched fibres to be produced. The waveguide connection can then be used with a waveguide, such as an optofiber, together with a light transmitter or light receiver.