US3774987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling of lasers to optical fibres
Assignee: BELL ELECTRIC RESEARCH Ltd
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Filing: 1972-06-27
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A laser is coupled to an optical fibre by coupling the laser beam to a planar waveguide, and coupling the waveguide to the fibre. Particularly the laser beam is coupled to the planar waveguide by a grating. For ease in obtaining and maintaining good alignment between waveguide and fibre core, the fibre is positioned in a groove in a support member. Crystallographic etching a Vee groove gives a simple and effective way of forming the groove in the support member.
Inventors
- 👤 L Boivin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/34; G02B6/262; G02B6/30; G02B6/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for coupling a laser to an optical fibre, comprising: a planar thin film waveguide mounted on a silicon substrate; an optical grating coupler for coupling the laser beam into the waveguide; focussing means for focussing the coupled beam at an exit of the waveguide; and means for mounting an optical fibre with the core of the fibre substantially coaxial with the axis of the waveguide and aligned with said exit, said means comprising a Vee-shaped channel crystallographically etched in said silicon substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for coupling a laser to an optical fibre, comprising: a planar thin film waveguide mounted on a silicon substrate; an optical grating coupler for coupling the laser beam into the waveguide; focussing means for focussing the coupled beam at an exit of the waveguide; and means for mounting an optical fibre with the core of the fibre substantially coaxial with the axis of the waveguide and aligned with said exit, said means comprising a Vee-shaped channel crystallographically etched in said silicon substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said focussing means comprises tapering the waveguide toward the exit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the exit of the waveguide is chamferred.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3614198A
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US3610727A
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US3704996A
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US3674335A
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US3674336A
Cited
US3674337A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |