Configurable pitch reducing optical fiber array
US8712199B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/04
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The inventive optical fiber coupler array is capable of providing a low loss, high-coupling coefficient interface with high accuracy and easy alignment between a plurality of optical fibers (or other optical devices) with a first channel-to-channel spacing, and an optical device having a plurality of closely-spaced waveguide interfaces with a second channel-to-channel spacing, where each end of the optical fiber coupler array is configurable to have different channel-to-channel spacing, each matched to a corresponding one of the first and second channel-to-channel spacing. The novel optical coupler array includes a plurality of waveguides (at least one of which may optionally be polarization maintaining), that comprises at least one gradually reduced vanishing core fiber, at least in part embedded within a common housing structure. Alternatively, the novel coupler array may be configured for utilization with at least one of an optical fiber amplifier and an optical fiber laser.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.