Method and apparatus for optical beam alignment detection and control
US6556285B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4225
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for detection and control of multiple-axis active alignment for a free-space-coupled single-mode fiber-optic transmission system that automatically optimizes the coupling through the system. In a specific embodiment, a measurement of coupled power is made and error signals are used to control actuation via four axes of beam steering elements to null four generally orthogonal alignment errors (combinations of two lateral errors and two angular errors) of the beam between the input and output fibers. The four alignment errors are detected using a synchronous-detection approach. A feedback control system nulls the four errors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.