Apparatus and method for an improved lens structure for polymer wave guides which maximizes free space light coupling
US7369724B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0421
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A polymer waveguide assembly. The assembly includes a polymer waveguide have a plurality of waveguide cores and an associated plurality of lenses respectively. The assembly also includes a molded lens structure having a support region, a primary refractive surface and a secondary refractive lens. The polymer waveguide is positioned onto the support surface of the molded lens structure so that the waveguide lenses are in optical alignment with the primary refractive lens and the secondary refractive lens of the molded waveguide structure. The lenses of the polymer waveguide are capable of collimating in the X and Y directions respectively. The primary refractive lens and the secondary refractive lens are both capable of collimating light in the Z direction. With this arrangement, a substantial; portion of the light passing through the secondary lens toward the waveguide cores is within the acceptance angle of the plurality of waveguides lenses respectively. The secondary lens thus creates a shallow angle of convergence relative to the input of the plurality of lenses of the waveguide. As a result, issues caused by misalignment are minimized and optical coupling is improved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.