Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for aligning a substantially co-linear laser array with a substantially co-linear optical fiber array, comprising the steps of: a. activating a first laser in proximity to a first end of said laser array; b. positioning the laser array with respect to the fiber array to maximize energy coupled from the activated first laser to a first corresponding fiber; c. activating a second laser in proximity to a second end of said laser array; and d. positioning the laser array with respect to the fiber array to maximize energy coupled from the activated second laser to a second corresponding fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: a. activating at least one additional laser in said laser array; b. positioning the laser array with respect to the fiber array to maximize energy coupled from the additional laser to an additional corresponding fiber; and c. using regression analysis to determine the optimum position of the laser array with respect to the fiber array to optimize the coupling in accordance with a predetermined criteria.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said predetermined criteria comprises a least squares fit and positioning the laser array with respect to the fiber array so that an energy value which represents the minimum amount of energy coupled between a laser and its respective fiber is maximized.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
29 words
The method of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3 further comprising the step of positioning at least one photodetector to detect light coupled into a fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said photodetector is used to determine a maximum energy coupled from an activated laser to a corresponding fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
An article of manufacture comprising; a. a substantially co-linear array of lasers; b. a substantially co-linear array of optical fibers substantially in alignment with said array of lasers; c. a substrate for supporting said array of optical fibers and said array of lasers; and d. a plurality of relatively large electrical contact pads, each pad being electrically coupled to one laser of said array of lasers, said pads being for receiving electrical contacts for activating selected ones of said lasers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for aligning a substantially co-linear array of lasers with a substantially co-linear array of optical fibers comprising; a. a carrier having a slot for receiving the array of lasers and the array of optical fibers; b. a first support plate having a first holding means for holding said array of lasers in place with respect to said first support plate, and means for electrically coupling to selected ones of said lasers in said array of lasers; c. a second support plate having a second holding means for holding the array of fibers in rough alignment with the array of lasers; and d. means for positioning said carrier with respect to said first holding means and said second holding means so that when said holding means are activated, said array of lasers and said array of fibers are held in approximate alignment without said carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said holding means each comprise means for supplying a vacuum, and an opening in a respective support plate through which vacuum is applied to a respective array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 7 or 8 further comprising; a. adjustment means for moving said first support plate with respect to said second support plate; and b. an optical microscope for observing alignment of said array of lasers with respect to said array of fibers.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims 7 to 9 further comprising positioning means for positioning in close proximity to said array of lasers and said array of fibers, a substrate to which said array of lasers and said array of fibers are to be fastened, wherein said positioning means includes a window positioned so that electromagnetic energy may be transmitted to said substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said window and said substrate are transparent to ultraviolet light so that ultraviolet curing adhesive applied to said substrate to fasten said substrate to said array of lasers and said array of optical fibers may be cured by said ultraviolet light.