Optical fiber coupler array
US8326099B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/305
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fiber coupler array capable of providing multiple low loss, high coupling coefficient interfaces between a predetermined number of low numerical aperture optical fibers and an optical waveguide device with at least a corresponding number of waveguide interfaces. The novel coupler array includes a plurality of coupler inner cores and a plurality of corresponding coupler outer cores, within a medium surrounding each plural outer core, and also includes a first end for interfacing with plural optical fibers and a second end for interfacing with a plurality of waveguide interfaces of an optical waveguide device. The sizes of the inner and outer cores are gradually reduced from the first end to the second end in accordance with at least one predetermined reduction profile. Various parameters, such as refractive indices and sizes of the inner and outer cores and the medium (as well as the reduction profile) are selected to produce a plurality of low numerical aperture waveguides at the first end, and a plurality of high numerical aperture waveguides at the second end, while advantageously minimizing insertion loss and maximizing the coupling coefficient at each end. Advantageo…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.