Optical fiber having tapered end and optical connector with reciprocal opening
US6672773B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/30
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for connecting optical fibers to waveguides and other optical elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical fiber is modified so as to have opposing orthogonal tapered sidewalls that taper toward a tip of the fiber. An optical connector for the fiber includes a base having a receiving section and a waveguide formed therein. The receiving section is a flared channel having opposing orthogonal tapered sidewalls and a horizontal bottom surface perpendicular to the sidewalls. The waveguide is optically accessible at a narrow inner end of the channel. The angle of taper of the sidewalls of the channel matches the angle of taper of the sidewalls of the optical fiber. When the optical fiber is inserted into the open end of the channel and is moved toward the narrow inner end of the channel, the sidewalls of the fiber and channel come into contact with each other. In addition, a bottom surface of the fiber rests on the horizontal bottom surface of the channel. The tip of the fiber is positioned adjacent to the waveguide in precise alignment along the x, y, and z axes. The optical fiber is thereby positioned for optical communication through the waveguide with…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.