Athermal optical coupler

US6865323B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• JDS Uniphase Corporation · US

Inventors

• Dirk Samiec · Ubstadt-Weiher, DE
• Michael Koerdt · Kusel, DE
• Steven Oliver · Boise, US
• Vlatko MILINKOVIC · Ottawa, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 28, 2002
• Grant date: Mar 8, 2005
• Expiry date: Jun 26, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/36
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical coupling device that provides passive compensation for a shift in center wavelength due to a change in ambient temperature. A conventional solution is to mount one of the elements to be coupled on a pedestal or cantilevered arm, which has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) different from a frame fixed relative to the other of the elements to be coupled. Unfortunately, these devices do not provide consistent results over long periods of time, due to uncontrolled movement of the outer free end of the cantilevered arm or pedestal. The present invention provides an expansion arm fixed on one end to a frame, a holder on the other end of the expansion arm, and a pair of flexible arms connecting the holder to the frame. This arrangement enables the expansion arm to freely expand in a first direction, while greatly restricting movement in any other direction. The present invention also relates to a optical coupling device that includes a expansion arm with an adjustable effective length. Furthermore, optical coupling devices are disclosed that include an expansion arm for moving a lens relative to one or more waveguides providing thermal compensati…