EP0283203A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Integrated optical component and method of manufacture
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1988-03-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-03-10
Abstract
Abstract An integrated optical component is described with ion diffused optical circuit paths in glass connected to optical fibers, comprising a transverse exit groove (6,10) machined adjacent the paths, a plateau (5,11) for supporting an uncoated portion of the optical fibers for connection to the paths, and a shoulder (4,12) adjacent the plateau for supporting a coated portion of the fiber, the fiber endfaces being secured to the terminations of the paths by means of an adhesive. The method disclosed for manufacturing such a component comprises machining, approximate alignment, precise alignment, and gluing steps.
Inventors
- 👤 Thierry Luc Dannoux
- 👤 Pierre Jean Laroulandie
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Themont
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4219; G02B6/4236; G02B6/4239; G02B6/122; G02B6/125; G02B6/26; G02B6/30; G02B6/36; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3648; G02B6/3652; G02B6/3684; G02B6/3696; G02B6/422; G02B6/4225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An integrated optical component comprising a glass substrate with at least one ion diffused optical circuit path connected to at least one optical fiber, including at least one transverse exit groove (6,10) forming a vertical lateral surface (7) at a termination of said optical circuit path, an endface of said optical fiber abutting said termination at said vertical lateral surface, and characterized by: plateau support means (5,11) adjacent the side of said transverse exit groove opposite said optical circuit path, for supporting an uncoated portion of said optical fiber; second support means (4,12) adjacent the side of said plateau support means opposite said optical circuit path, for supporting a coated or sheathed portion of said optical fiber; and, first adhesive means for securing said optical fiber endface to said vertical lateral surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An integrated optical component comprising a glass substrate with at least one ion diffused optical circuit path connected to at least one optical fiber, including at least one transverse exit groove (6,10) forming a vertical lateral surface (7) at a termination of said optical circuit path, an endface of said optical fiber abutting said termination at said vertical lateral surface, and characterized by: plateau support means (5,11) adjacent the side of said transverse exit groove opposite said optical circuit path, for supporting an uncoated portion of said optical fiber; second support means (4,12) adjacent the side of said plateau support means opposite said optical circuit path, for supporting a coated or sheathed portion of said optical fiber; and, first adhesive means for securing said optical fiber endface to said vertical lateral surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The integrated optical component of claim 1, characterized in that the dimensions of said transverse exit groove are sufficiently large to allow positioning of said optical fiber by a micromanipulator in contact with said optical fiber within said transverse exit groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The integrated optical component of claim 1, characterized in that said plateau support means comprises a raised surface whose height is approximately the same as or slightly less than the height of the bottom of said optical circuit path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The integrated optical component of claim 1, characterized in that said plateau support means comprises a raised plateau with at least one sectioned cavity for receiving an optical fiber and approximately aligning its endface with said optical circuit path termination.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The integrated optical component of claim 1 or claim 4, characterized in that said transverse exit groove further comprises a transverse interface shoulder which includes said vertical lateral surface and which also includes a horizontal surface whose depth is approximately the same as or slightly greater than the depth of said optical circuit path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The integrated optical component of claim 1 or claim 4, characterized in that said second support means comprises a transverse support shoulder, and further characterized by second adhesive means for securing said uncoated portion of said optical fiber to said plateau support means and for securing said coated portion of said optical fiber to said transverse support shoulder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The integrated optical component of claim 1 or claim 4, comprising at least two optical circuit paths arranged to form a single-mode coupler or coupler-divider.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for manufacturing an integrated optical component which connects an optical fiber to an ion exchange optical circuit path including the steps of: forming a glass body substantially in the form of a rectangular glass block; creating at least one optical circuit path in said glass body by ion exchange; mechanically machining at least one transverse exit groove to create an termination for said optical circuit path; and characterized by the steps of: mechanically machining a transverse support shoulder for supporting a coated or sheathed portion of said fiber; forming plateau support means for supporting an uncoated portion of said fiber; approximately aligning an endface of said fiber with said optical circuit path termination; precisely aligning said fiber endface and said optical circuit path termination by means of a micromanipulator tool; and, securing said fiber endface to said optical circuit path termination with an adhesive means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for manufacturing an integrated optical component which connects an optical fiber to an ion exchange optical circuit path including the steps of: forming a glass body substantially in the form of a rectangular glass block; creating at least one optical circuit path in said glass body by ion exchange; mechanically machining at least one transverse exit groove to create an termination for said optical circuit path; and characterized by the steps of: mechanically machining a transverse support shoulder for supporting a coated or sheathed portion of said fiber; forming plateau support means for supporting an uncoated portion of said fiber; approximately aligning an endface of said fiber with said optical circuit path termination; precisely aligning said fiber endface and said optical circuit path termination by means of a micromanipulator tool; and, securing said fiber endface to said optical circuit path termination with an adhesive means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 8 further characterized by the step of mechanically machining a high surface quality for said termination of said optical circuit path, thereby forming an interface shoulder with a vertical lateral surface at said termination.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9 further characterized by the step of precision grinding sectioned cavities in said plateau support means for use in approximately aligning said fiber endface and said optical circuit path termination.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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