Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An optical input coupler for introducing light into a light guide comprising a dielectric light guide layer arranged on a first surface of a carrier member of transparent material, the input coupler comprising a first dielectric input layer of highly refractive material relative to the material of the carrier member disposed on the first surface of the carrier member adjacent an end of the dielectric light guide layer to provide a first boundary surface between the first surface of the carrier member and first layer, a second dielectric input layer of lowrefractive material relative to the material of the first input layer disposed on the first input layer to provide a second boundary surface between the first and second input layers, and said carrier member having a second surface inclined at an angle to said first surface so that when light is projected on said second surface normal to the second surface, the light is subjected to refraction at the first boundary surface to produce refracted light which strikes the second boundary surface at the critical angle of total reflection and the light is coupled into the dielectric guide layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical input coupler for introducing light into a light guide comprising a dielectric light guide layer arranged on a first surface of a carrier member of transparent material, the input coupler comprising a first dielectric input layer of highly refractive material relative to the material of the carrier member disposed on the first surface of the carrier member adjacent an end of the dielectric light guide layer to provide a first boundary surface between the first surface of the carrier member and first layer, a second dielectric input layer of lowrefractive material relative to the material of the first input layer disposed on the first input layer to provide a second boundary surface between the first and second input layers, and said carrier member having a second surface inclined at an angle to said first surface so that when light is projected on said second surface normal to the second surface, the light is subjected to refraction at the first boundary surface to produce refracted light which strikes the second boundary surface at the critical angle of total reflection and the light is coupled into the dielectric guide layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical input coupler according to claim 1, wherein the second surface of the carrier member is provided with an anti-reflection coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical input coupler according to claim 1, wherein the first input layer consists of zinc sulphide, the second input layer consists of magnesium fluoride, and the light guide layer consists of zinc sulphide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical input coupler according to claim 3, wherein said second surface of the carrier member is provided with an anti-reflection coating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical input coupler according to claim 1, wherein said first surface is flat and wherein the thickness of the first dielectric input layer is less than the thickness of the dielectric light guide layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical input coupler according to claim 5, wherein said second surface of the carrier member is provided with an anti-reflection coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical input coupler according to claim 5, wherein the first input layer consists of zinc sulphide, the second input layer consists of magnesium fluoride and the light guide layer consists of zinc sulphide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical input coupler according to claim 7, wherein said second surface of said carrier member is provided with an anti-reflection coating.