Optical coupler for coupling light between one and a plurality of light ports
US6219480A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2804
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical coupler for coupling light along an axis between a light port on one side of the coupler and a plurality of light ports on another side of the coupler. The coupler comprises a one-side stage with a light port and a many-side stage with a plurality of arms situated about the axis, each having a light port. A midput region separates the one-side and many-side stages and is situated along the axis where the plurality of arms at least initially starts to split from each other in a direction towards the many-side light ports along the axis. Cross sections of each of the respective initial portions of the arms along the direction are arranged about the same distance from the axis. The cross sectional areas of the arms along the axis are larger at a break point region at which the arms fully separate from each other along the axis than at the many-side light ports. At least a pair of the arms each start to split along the direction in a substantially symmetrical manner about the axis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.