EP0317153A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Microlenses
Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
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Filing: 1988-11-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An array of microlenses is formed at the crosspoints (15) of two orthogonal sets of "D-fibre" (10-14; 20-24). Such lens arrays have application, for example, in optical space switches.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Robert Mallinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3582; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/005; G02B3/0062; G02B6/32; G02B6/327
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A lens assembly comprising at least one first length of optical fibre placed substantially orthogonally across, and in optically cooperating proximity with, a plurality of further lengths of optical fibre such that a plurality of lenses are provided at crosspoints between the first and further optical fibres.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
A lens assembly comprising at least one first length of optical fibre placed substantially orthogonally across, and in optically cooperating proximity with, a plurality of further lengths of optical fibre such that a plurality of lenses are provided at crosspoints between the first and further optical fibres.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A lens assembly comprising N first lengths of optical fibre and M further lengths of optical fibre arranged such that every first length of fibre has a lensing crosspoint with every further length of optical fibre thereby to provide an NxM array of lenses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A lens assembly comprising N first lengths of optical fibre and M further lengths of optical fibre arranged such that every first length of fibre has a lensing crosspoint with every further length of optical fibre thereby to provide an NxM array of lenses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lens assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the further lengths of optical fibre are substantially coplanar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A lens assembly according to claim 1 or 2 in which a first length of optical fibre is curved in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the further fibres at the crosspoints thereby to provide a curved array of lenses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lens assembly according to any preceding claim comprising at least two lengths of optical fibre with differing cross-sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A lens assembly according to any preceding claim including a plano-cylindrical optical fibre.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lens assembly according to claim 6 in which all first and further lengths of optical fibre are plano-cylindrical and the planar surfaces of the first and further lengths of optical fibre are face to face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A lens assembly according to any preceding claim including a glass optical fibre.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A lens assembly according to any preceding claim including a fibre having a non-uniform refractive index profile.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A lens assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A lens assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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