Apparatus and method for testing lens structure

Claim 2

Apparatus for testing lens structures of the type adapted to receive in one end thereof an optical fiber with the end thereof positioned at a predetermined location with respect to the focus of the lens structure and which include reference surfaces by which the mechanical axis of one such lens structure can be aligned with that of another to form a oonnector pair in which the first of the pair, serving as the input, operates to expand and collimate or nearly collimate a light beam upon emerging from the end of the fiber positioned therein and the other of the pair, serving as output, operates to receive the expanded, collimated light beam emerging from the input lens structure and focus it into the end of a fiber located in the output lens structure, said apparatus comprising: a reflecting surface having the same nominal geometry as the end of an optical fiber to be used with such lens structures; means for supporting a lens structure to be tested and for positioning said reflecting surface in the test lens structure at the nominal location an optical fiber end would occupy under actual use in a lens structure; means for providing a collimated or nearly collimated beam of radiation of predetermined spectral content and diameter; means for aligning said collimated beam of radiation to be concentric with and parallel to the mechanical axis of the test lens structure so that said beam of radiation appears to the test lens structure to originate from a nominally perfect mating lens structure whereby said beam of radiation enters the test lens structure and is more or less perfectly focused thereby onto said reflecting surface from which it reflects to emerge from the test lens structure as a beam of radiation travelling oppositely to said entering collimated beam of radiation; and means for intercepting said beam of radiation emerging from the test lens structure and comparing its energy content with that of said entering collimated beam of radiation whereby the optical efficiency of the test lens structure is determined.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said aligning means comprises: a) an interferometer arranged to create a predetermined interference pattern when at least part of the test lens structure reference surfaces and said collimated source of radiation are perpendicular; and b) means for mechanically manipulating the test lens structure to orient it with respect to said collimated beam of radiation to facilitate the formation of said predetermined interference pattern.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said mechanical manipulation means comprises a mechanical arrangement for independently translating the test lens structure in two linear directions perpendicular to its nominal mechanical axis to center the test lens structure with respect to said collimated beam of radiation and for rotating the test lens structure to independently adjust its azimuth and elevation angles with respect to said collimated beam of radiation so that said part of the test lens structure reference surfaces can be aligned perpendicular to said collimated beam of radiation.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein said collimated beam of radiation comprises a beam from a laser.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein. said laser comprises a helium-neon laser.

Claim 7

Apparatus for testing lens structures of the type adapted to receive in one end thereof an optical fiber with the end thereof positioned at apredetermined location with respect to the focus of the lens structure and which include a reference surface perpendicular to a longitudinal mechanical axis thereof so that, when two lens structures are butted together against their reference surfaces with their mechanical axes coaxially aligned, they form a fiber optic connector pair in which the first of the pair, serving as the input, operates to expand and collimate or nearly collimate the beam emerging from the end of the fiber positioned therein and the other of the pair, serving as output, operates to receive the expanded collimated beam emerging from the input lens structure and focus it into the end of a fiber positioned at a predetermined location in the output lens structure, said apparatus comprising: a reflecting surface having the same nominal geometry as the end of an optical fiber to be used with such lens structures; means for supporting a lens structure to be tested and for positioning said reflecting surface in the test lens structure at the nominal location an optical fiber end would occupy under actual use in a lens structure; means for providing a collimated or nearly collimated beam of radiation of predetermined spectral-content and diameter; means for aligning said collimated beam of radiation to be perpendicular to the test lens structure reference surface and centered with respect to its mechanical axis so that said beam of radiation appears to the test lens structure to originate from a nominally perfect mating lens structure whereby said beam of radiation enters the test lens structure and is more or less perfectly focused thereby onto said reflecting surface from which it reflects to emerge from the test lens structure as a beam of radiation travelling oppositely to said entering collimated beam of radiation; and means for intercepting said beam of radiation emerging from the test lens structure and comparing its energy content with that of said entering collimated beam of radiation whereby the optical efficiency of the test lens structure can be determined.

Claim 8

Apparatus for testing lens structures of the type adapted to receive in one end thereof an optical fiber with the end thereof positioned at apredetermined location with respect to the focus of the lens structure and which include a reference surface perpendicular to a longitudinal mechanical axis thereof so that, when two lens structures are butted together against their reference surfaces with their mechanical axes coaxially aligned, they form a fiber optic connector pair in which the first of the pair, serving as the input, operates to expand and collimate or nearly collimate the beam emerging from the end of the fiber positioned therein and the other of the pair, serving as output, operates to receive the expanded collimated beam emerging from the input lens structure and focus it into the end of a fiber positioned at a predetermined location in the output lens structure, said apparatus comprising: a reflecting surface having the same nominal geometry as the end of an optical fiber to be used with such lens structures; means for supporting a lens structure to be tested and for positioning said reflecting surface in the test lens structure at the nominal location an optical fiber end would occupy under actual use in a lens structure; means for providing a collimated or nearly collimated beam of radiation of predetermined spectral-content and diameter; means for aligning said collimated beam of radiation to be perpendicular to the test lens structure reference surface and centered with respect to its mechanical axis so that said beam of radiation appears to the test lens structure to originate from a nominally perfect mating lens structure whereby said beam of radiation enters the test lens structure and is more or less perfectly focused thereby onto said reflecting surface from which it reflects to emerge from the test lens structure as a beam of radiation travelling oppositely to said entering collimated beam of radiation; and means for intercepting said beam of radiation emerging from the test lens structure and comparing its energy content with that of said entering collimated beam of radiation whereby the optical efficiency of the test lens structure can be determined.

Claim 9

The apparatus o: Claim 6 wherein said aligning means comprises: a) an interferometer arranged to create a predetermined interference pattern when the test lens structure regerence surface is perpendicular to said collimated beam of radiation; and b) means for mechanically manipulating the test lens structure to orient it with respect to said collimated beam of radiation to facilitate the formation of said predetermined interference pattern.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said mechanical manipulation means comprises a mechanical arrangement for independently translating the test lens structure in two linear directions perpendicular to its nominal mechanical axis to center the test lens structure with respect to said collimated beam of radiation and for rotating the test lens structure to independently adjust its azimuth and elevation angles with respect to said collimated beam of radiation so that said test lens structure reference surface can be aligned perpendicular to said collimated beam of radiation.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6 or 7 wherein said collimated beam of radiation comprises a beam from a laser.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said laser comprises a helium-neon laser.

Claim 13

Apparatus for testing a lens structure of the type adapted to receive in one end thereof an optical fiber with the end thereof positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the focus of the lens structure and which includes reference surfaces for mating one lens structure to another to form a fiber optic connector pair in which the first of the pair, serving as the input, operates to expand and collimate or nearly collimate the beam emerging from the end of the fiber positioned therein and the other of the pair, serving as output, operates to receive the expanded collimated beam emerging from the input lens structure and focus it onto the end of a fiber positioned at a pedetermined location in the output lens structure, said apparatus comprising: . means for simulating the mating surfaces of an optical lens structure having nominal geometry and for retaining a lens structure to be tested in mating relationship with said simulated mating surfaces; a reflecting surface having the same nominal geometry as the end of a fiber to be used with such lens structures; means for positioning said reflecting surface in the test lens structure at the nominal location a fiber end would occupy under actual use in such lens structures; means for directing a collimated or nearly collimated beam of radiation of predetermined spectral content at the lens of the test lens structure so that said beam appears to the test lens structure, when in mating relationship to said simulated mating surfaces, to originate from a nominally perfect lens means for directing a collimated or nearly collimated beam of radiation of predetermined spectral content at the lens of the test lens structure so that said beam appears to the test lens structure, when in mating relationship to said simulated mating surfaces, to originate from a nominally perfect lens structure whereby said beam enters said test lens structure and is focused thereby onto said reflective surface after which it is reflected emerging from said test lens structure as a beam travelling oppositely to the said entering beam; and means for intercepting said emerging beam and comparing its energy content with that of said entering collimated beam whereby the optical efficiency of the test lens structure can be determined.

Claim 14

Apparatus for testing a lens structure of the type adapted to receive in one end thereof an optical fiber with the end thereof positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the focus of the lens structure and which includes reference surfaces for mating one lens structure to another to form a fiber optic connector pair in which the first of the pair, serving as the input, operates to expand and collimate or nearly collimate the beam emerging from the end of the fiber positioned therein and the other of the pair, serving as output, operates to receive the expanded collimated beam emerging from the input lens structure and focus it onto the end of a fiber positioned at a pedetermined location in the output lens structure, said apparatus comprising: . means for simulating the mating surfaces of an optical lens structure having nominal geometry and for retaining a lens structure to be tested in mating relationship with said simulated mating surfaces; a reflecting surface having the same nominal geometry as the end of a fiber to be used with such lens structures; means for positioning said reflecting surface in the test lens structure at the nominal location a fiber end would occupy under actual use in such lens structures; means for directing a collimated or nearly collimated beam of radiation of predetermined spectral content at the lens of the test lens structure so that said beam appears to the test lens structure, when in mating relationship to said simulated mating surfaces, to originate from a nominally perfect lens means for directing a collimated or nearly collimated beam of radiation of predetermined spectral content at the lens of the test lens structure so that said beam appears to the test lens structure, when in mating relationship to said simulated mating surfaces, to originate from a nominally perfect lens structure whereby said beam enters said test lens structure and is focused thereby onto said reflective surface after which it is reflected emerging from said test lens structure as a beam travelling oppositely to the said entering beam; and means for intercepting said emerging beam and comparing its energy content with that of said entering collimated beam whereby the optical efficiency of the test lens structure can be determined.

Claim 15

Apparatus for testing optical lens structures of the type adapted to receive in one end thereof an optical fiber with the end thereof positioned at the focus of the lens structure and which includes reference surfaces for mating one lens structure to another to form a fiber optic connector pair in which the first of the pair, serving as the input, operates to reduce the numerical aperture of the beam emerging from the end of the fiber positioned therein and the other of the pair, serving as output, operates to receive the beam emerging from the input lens structure and focus it onto the end of a fiber positioned in the output lens structure, said apparatus comprising: means for simulating the mating surfaces of an optical lens structure having nominal geometry and for retaining a lens structure to be tested in mating relationship with said simulated mating surfaces; a reflecting surface having the same nominal geometry as the end of a fiber to be used with such lens structures; means for positioning said reflecting surface in the test lens structure at the nominal location a fiber end would occupy under actual use in such lens structures; means for directing a collimated or . . nearly collimated beam of radiation of predetermined spectral content at the lens of the test lens structure so that said beam appears to the test lens structure, when in mating relationship to said simulated mating surfaces, to originate from a nominally perfect lens structure whereby said beam enters said test lens structure and is focused thereby onto said reflective surface after which it is reflected emerging from said test lens structure as a beam travelling oppositely to the said entering beam; and means for intercepting said emerging beam and comparing its energy content with that of said entering collimated beam whereby the optical efficiency of the test lens structure can be determined.

Claim 16

Apparatus for testing optical lens structures of the type adapted to receive in one end thereof an optical fiber with the end thereof positioned at the focus of the lens structure and which includes reference surfaces for mating one lens structure to another to form a fiber optic connector pair in which the first of the pair, serving as the input, operates to reduce the numerical aperture of the beam emerging from the end of the fiber positioned therein and the other of the pair, serving as output, operates to receive the beam emerging from the input lens structure and focus it onto the end of a fiber positioned in the output lens structure, said apparatus comprising: means for simulating the mating surfaces of an optical lens structure having nominal geometry and for retaining a lens structure to be tested in mating relationship with said simulated mating surfaces; a reflecting surface having the same nominal geometry as the end of a fiber to be used with such lens structures; means for positioning said reflecting surface in the test lens structure at the nominal location a fiber end would occupy under actual use in such lens structures; means for directing a collimated or . . nearly collimated beam of radiation of predetermined spectral content at the lens of the test lens structure so that said beam appears to the test lens structure, when in mating relationship to said simulated mating surfaces, to originate from a nominally perfect lens structure whereby said beam enters said test lens structure and is focused thereby onto said reflective surface after which it is reflected emerging from said test lens structure as a beam travelling oppositely to the said entering beam; and means for intercepting said emerging beam and comparing its energy content with that of said entering collimated beam whereby the optical efficiency of the test lens structure can be determined.

Claim 19

The method of claim 13 wherein 'said aligning step comprises: . a) arranging an interferometer to create a predetermined interference pattern when at least part of the test lens structure reference surfaces and said collimated beam of radiation are perpendicular; and b) manipulating the test lens structure to orient it with respect to said collimated beam of radiation to facilitate formation of said predetermined interference pattern.

Claim 20

The method of claim 14 wherein said manipulating step comprises independently translating the test lens structure in two linear directions perpendicular to its nominal mechanical axis to center the test lens structure with respect to said collimated beam of radiation and rotating the test lens structure to independently adjust its azimuth and elevation with respect to said collimated beam of radiation so that said part of the test lens structure reference surfaces can be aligned perpendicular to said collimated beam of radiation.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said collimated beam of radiation comprises a beam from a laser.

Claim 24

The method of claim 17 wherein said aligning step comprises: a) arranging an interferometer to create a predetermined interference pattern when the test lens structure reference surfaces and said collimated beam of radiation are perpendicular; and b) manipulating the test lens structure to orient it with respect to said collimated beam of radiation to facilitate formation of said predetermined interference pattern.

Claim 25

The method of claim 18 wherein said manipulating step comprises independently translating the test lens structure in two linear directions perpendicular to its nominal mechanical axis to center the test lens structure with respect to said collimated beam of radiation and rotating the test lens structure to independently adjust its azimuth and elevation angles with respect to said collimated beam of radiation so that the test lens structure reference surfaces can be aligned perpendicular to said collimated beam of radiation.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said collimated beam of radiation comprises a beam from a laser. ' .