Integral pre-aligned micro-optical systems
US7421159B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4225
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An accurate and inexpensive integral micro-optical system for coupling and aligning optical fibers with other optical components, such as other optical fibers, diffusers, beam shapers, beam splitters, mirrors, or lenses is disclosed. The micro-optical coupler disclosed comprises one or more fiberport collimators and one or more microlens arrays, optically aligned during fabrication so that an optical fiber, or other source of light, was coupled to another optical fiber, or other light receiver, by simple inserting the optical source in one side of the micro-coupler and inserting the optical receiver in the other side of the micro-coupler. Often the fabrication process for this system can be done in a single lithography procedure. Since the optical axis of each component was aligned during the fabrication step, no subsequent alignment was required.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.