EP0324492A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber connector assemblies and methods of making the assemblies
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1989-01-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-01-13
Abstract
Abstract Methods of making assemblies and assemblies for interconnecting optical fibers and use in integrated optical systems. The optical fiber connector assemblies include a pedestal (10) having a step (20) supporting an optical waveguide device (56) having a buried waveguide (58). A core and cladding (44) of an optical fiber (46) is inserted or placed in each of the grooves (42) of the receiving means (40). Jackets (48) of the optical fibers (46) set or lay on the pedestal surfaces (16) and (18). The cores and cladding (44) are positioned such that their distal ends (50) are nearly flush with inner walls (52) of the receiving means (40). The optical fibers (46) can be secured to the pedestal (10), such as, by clamps or using an ultraviolet light curable epoxy (54) between the jackets (48) and the step (20) or pedestal surfaces (16) and (18). An optical waveguide device (56) is located on the step (20) between the inner walls (52) of the receiving means (40). The device (56) includes at least one buried optical waveguide (58) for transmitting light therethrough. The device (56) is positioned such that optical axes of the optical fiber cores are substantially in alignment with optical axes of the waveguide(s) (58) within the device (56). The device (56) is secured to the pedestal (10), such as, by light and/or heat curable epoxy.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce Lee Booth
- 👤 Joseph Emidio Marchegiano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:59
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/30; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An optical fiber connector assembly for connecting optical fibers having a core, cladding and a jacket in an optical fiber system comprising: a pedestal having two ends, a surface adjacent each of the ends, each of the surfaces for contacting the jacket of one of the optical fibers, and a raised step between the surfaces; and means for receiving the core and the cladding of the optical fibers on two end portions of the step near the pedestal surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
An optical fiber connector assembly for connecting optical fibers having a core, cladding and a jacket in an optical fiber system comprising: a pedestal having two ends, a surface adjacent each of the ends, each of the surfaces for contacting the jacket of one of the optical fibers, and a raised step between the surfaces; and means for receiving the core and the cladding of the optical fibers on two end portions of the step near the pedestal surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 1, further comprising: an optical waveguide device on the step between the end portions, the device having a buried waveguide having an optical axis; such that when the cores and the claddings are in the means for receiving on the two end portions of the step, optical axes of the cores are substantially in alignment with the optical axis of the buried waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 2, wherein the device further comprises: a photohardened film including the waveguide having ends; four photohardened buffer layers, two of the layers laminated on one side of the film, two of the layers laminated on another side of the film, the layers and film enclosing the waveguide except at the waveguide ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 1, wherein: the pedestal is a terpolymer comprising acrylate, styrene and n-phenylmaleimide which remains substantially dimensionally stable upon exposure to heat up to about 150°C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 1, wherein: the means for receiving are photohardened layers containing photopolymerized or photocrosslinked monomer groups.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 1, wherein: the means for receiving is a layer on the two end portions of the step, each one of the layers having a groove for receiving the core and the cladding of the optical fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 1, wherein: the means for receiving is a layer on the two ends portions of the step, one of the layers having one groove for receiving the core and the cladding of one optical fiber and the other layer having four grooves for receiving the core and the cladding of four optical fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 2, wherein: the buried waveguide has five ends adapted to input and output light, each one of the waveguide ends are connected to the other waveguide ends, one of the waveguide ends is adjacent one of the two ends portions of the step, the other four waveguide ends are adjacent to the other one of the two end portions of the step, such that light injected into the one waveguide end is divided in the waveguide and exits through the other four waveguide ends and light injected into each of the other four waveguide ends exits through the one waveguide end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in the Claim 2, further comprising: a cover having two ends, a cover surface adjacent each of the two ends, each of the cover surfaces for contacting the jacket of one of the optical fibers, and a cover step between the cover surfaces, the cover step contacting the device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 2, further comprising: first and second optical fibers, each of the fibers having a jacket, cladding and a core; the first fiber contacting one of the pedestal surfaces and received by the means for receiving near the one pedestal surface; and the second fiber contacting the other pedestal surface and received by the means for receiving near the other pedestal surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 10, further comprising: means for securing the fibers to the pedestal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 11, wherein: the means for securing comprises an ultraviolet curable epoxy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 10, further comprising: optical vias connecting the fiber cores to ends of the waveguide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 10, further comprising: means for hermetically sealing the pedestal, the means for receiving, the device and the optical fibers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 2, wherein: the waveguide is about 5.3 microns thick and about 5 microns wide except one end flairs to form a taper to facilitate input coupling.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 2, wherein: the optical waveguide device is integral with the means for receiving.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of making an optical fiber connector assembly for use in an optical fiber system, comprising the steps of: laminating a radiation sensitive layer capable of forming a stencil relief image to a step of a pedestal; aligning a mask on the layer, the mask having clear portions for transmitting light and opaque portions for blocking transmission of light; exposing the layer to light through the clear portions of the mask; and removing unexposed regions of the layer and a region of the layer corresponding to the waveguide leaving remaining exposed regions on two end portions of the step, each exposed region having a groove.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of making an optical fiber connector assembly for use in an optical fiber system, comprising the steps of: laminating a radiation sensitive layer capable of forming a stencil relief image to a step of a pedestal; aligning a mask on the layer, the mask having clear portions for transmitting light and opaque portions for blocking transmission of light; exposing the layer to light through the clear portions of the mask; and removing unexposed regions of the layer and a region of the layer corresponding to the waveguide leaving remaining exposed regions on two end portions of the step, each exposed region having a groove.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of Claim 17, further comprising the step of: placing a core and cladding of an optical fiber in each of the grooves and setting jackets of the optical fibers on surfaces adjacent two ends of the pedestal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of Claim 18, further comprising the step of: locating an optical waveguide device having a buried optical waveguide on the step between the optical fibers with optical axes of the waveguide and the cores aligned.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of Claim 19, further comprising the step of: securing the jackets to the pedestal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of Claim 19, after the placing step, further comprising the steps of: inserting a photohardenable medium between the optical fibers and the waveguide; and exposing the medium to light through the optical fibers forming optical vias between the cores and the waveguide.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of Claim 19, further comprising the step of: placing a cover having two ends, a cover surface adjacent each of the two cover ends, and a cover step on the jackets and the device such that the cover surfaces contact the jackets and the cover step contacts the device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of Claim 19, further comprising the step of: hermetically sealing the pedestal, the remaining exposed regions, the device and the optical fibers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
233 words
The method of Claim 19, wherein the mask is used before the aligning step in forming the optical waveguide device comprising the steps of: exposing to light through the clear portions of the mask a region of a substantially dry photohardenable film having first and second film surfaces, with a support removable adhered to the first film surface, polymerizing at least one monomer in the film and changing the refractive index of the region to form the optical waveguide; removing the mask; laminating a first surface of a first substantially dry photohardenable buffer layer to the second film surface, with a support removably adhered to a second surface of the first buffer layer; removing the support from the first film surface; laminating a first surface of a second substantially dry photohardenable buffer layer to the first film surface, with a support removably adhered to a second surface of the second buffer layer: removing the support from the first buffer layer and laminating a third substantially dry photohardenable buffer layer to the first buffer layer; removing the support from the second buffer layer and laminating a fourth substantially dry photohardenable buffer layer to the second buffer layer; hardening the buffer layers and film forming a hardened matrix, substantially fixing the indexes a refraction of the buffer layers and the film; and cutting the matrix to predetermined dimensions and providing optical access to the waveguide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of Claim 17 or 24, wherein: the clear portions of the mask substantially correspond to the desired shape of the waveguide and the desired shape of the remaining exposed regions of the radiation sensitive layer.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of making an optical fiber connector assembly for use in an optical fiber system, comprising the steps of: laminating a first mask on a film having an optical waveguide on a first buffer layer on a pedestal, the mask having clear portions substantially corresponding to desired shapes of grooves to be formed in the film for receiving optical fiber claddings and cores; irradiating the film with ablative radiation through the mask clear portions substantially corresponding to the grooves, such that the film and the buffer layer under the mask clear portions are substantially removed and grooves in the film and buffer layer are formed; removing the first mask; laminating a second mask on a second buffer layer, the second mask having clear portions substantially corresponding to the desired shape of the grooves; irradiating the second buffer layer with ablative radiation through its clear portions, such that the second buffer layer under the second mask clear portions are substantially removed and grooves in the second buffer layer are formed; removing the second mask; and laminating the second buffer layer on the film.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of making an optical fiber connector assembly for use in an optical fiber system, comprising the steps of: laminating a first mask on a film having an optical waveguide on a first buffer layer on a pedestal, the mask having clear portions substantially corresponding to desired shapes of grooves to be formed in the film for receiving optical fiber claddings and cores; irradiating the film with ablative radiation through the mask clear portions substantially corresponding to the grooves, such that the film and the buffer layer under the mask clear portions are substantially removed and grooves in the film and buffer layer are formed; removing the first mask; laminating a second mask on a second buffer layer, the second mask having clear portions substantially corresponding to the desired shape of the grooves; irradiating the second buffer layer with ablative radiation through its clear portions, such that the second buffer layer under the second mask clear portions are substantially removed and grooves in the second buffer layer are formed; removing the second mask; and laminating the second buffer layer on the film.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of Claim 26, further comprising the step of: laminating the second buffer layer to a cover before the second laminating step.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of Claim 26, wherein: the third laminating step occurs before the second laminating step.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 26, wherein: the first mask is the second mask.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of Claim 26, wherein: the second mask clear portions are larger than the first mask clear portions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of Claim 26, further comprising the step of: placing a core and cladding of an optical fiber in the grooves and setting jackets of the optical fibers on pedestal surfaces adjacent two ends of the pedestal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method of Claim 26, wherein: the first mask further has clear portions substantially corresponding to the shape of the optical waveguide; and, before the first irradiating step, further comprising the steps of: exposing the film to light through the mask clear portions polymerizing at least one monomer in the film and changing the refractive index of the exposed film to form the waveguide; and blocking light transmission through the clear portions of the first mask corresponding to the waveguide; such that after the first irradiating step, grooves are formed that are aligned with the waveguide.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of making an optical fiber connector assembly for use in an optical fiber system, comprising the steps of: laminating a first mask on a first photohardenable buffer layer on a photohardenable film having an optical waveguide on a second photohardenable buffer layer on a pedestal, the mask adapted to block actinic radiation through areas corresponding to grooves to be formed in the film and layers for receiving optical fiber claddings and cores and to transmit actinic radiation through areas corresponding to a desired waveguide device including the waveguide and means defining the grooves; flooding the film and layers with actinic radiation through the mask; removing the mask; and removing unflooded regions of the film and layers; such that an optical fiber connector assembly is formed having an optical waveguide device integral with means defining grooves for receiving claddings and cores of optical fibers.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of making an optical fiber connector assembly for use in an optical fiber system, comprising the steps of: laminating a first mask on a first photohardenable buffer layer on a photohardenable film having an optical waveguide on a second photohardenable buffer layer on a pedestal, the mask adapted to block actinic radiation through areas corresponding to grooves to be formed in the film and layers for receiving optical fiber claddings and cores and to transmit actinic radiation through areas corresponding to a desired waveguide device including the waveguide and means defining the grooves; flooding the film and layers with actinic radiation through the mask; removing the mask; and removing unflooded regions of the film and layers; such that an optical fiber connector assembly is formed having an optical waveguide device integral with means defining grooves for receiving claddings and cores of optical fibers.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of Claim 33, further comprising the step of: placing a core and cladding of an optical fiber in the grooves and setting jackets of the optical fibers on pedestal surfaces adjacent two ends of the pedestal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of Claim 17, wherein: the radiation sensitive layer is a photohardenable layer containing photopolymerizable or photocrosslinkable monomer groups.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of Claim 26, wherein: the ablative radiation is provided by an excimer laser.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of Claim 26, wherein: the ablative radiation is provided by an ion beam.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The optical fiber connector assembly as set forth in Claim 15, wherein: the waveguide one end flairs to an expanded width of less than about 15 microns in a length of about 1.5 milimeters, then remains its expanded width for about 100 microns.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of Claim 21, wherein: the medium is liquid.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of Claim 21, wherein: the medium is substantially dry.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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