Splicing and connectorization of photonic crystal fibres
US8600207B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49826
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of coupling a spliceable optical fiber includes (A) providing the spliceable optical fiber, the spliceable optical fiber including (a) a core region; and (b) a microstructured cladding region. The cladding region surrounds the core region and includes (b1) an inner cladding region having a refractive index formed by inner cladding features arranged in an inner cladding background material with a refractive index n1, the inner cladding features including thermally collapsible holes or voids, and (b2) an outer cladding region with an outer cladding background material with a refractive index n2, the spliceable optical fiber having at least one end. (B) Collapsing the thermally collapsible holes or voids by heating the at least one end of the spliceable optical fiber thereby increasing the refractive index of the inner cladding providing an expanded core. And, (C) coupling the collapsed spliceable optical fiber end to the optical component.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.