US4130343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling arrangements between a light-emitting diode and an optical fiber waveguide and between an optical fiber waveguide and a semiconductor optical detector
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1977-02-22
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Granted: 1978-12-19
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Expires: 1997-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A terminating portion of an optical fiber waveguide having a polished beveled end is laterally disposed directly on the light-emitting surface of a light-emitting diode (LED). The light power coupled into the fiber consists of two components: the light power directly coupled into the fiber all along the region of contact between the fiber and the light-emitting surface; and the light power reflected by the beveled end and directed along the fiber axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Stewart E. Miller
- 👤 Kinichiro Ogawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/30; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4214; G02B6/4219; G02B6/4228; G02B6/423; G02B6/4236; G02B6/4239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
In combination, a semiconductor optical source having a light-emitting surface, an optical fiber waveguide having a central axis, a terminating portion of said fiber waveguide being affixed to said surface such that the axis of said terminating portion is substantially parallel to said surface so that a portion of the light power radiated from said surface is directly refracted into said optical fiber waveguide, and means at the end of said terminating portion for reflecting another portion of the light power radiated from said surface into said optical fiber waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
In combination, a semiconductor optical source having a light-emitting surface, an optical fiber waveguide having a central axis, a terminating portion of said fiber waveguide being affixed to said surface such that the axis of said terminating portion is substantially parallel to said surface so that a portion of the light power radiated from said surface is directly refracted into said optical fiber waveguide, and means at the end of said terminating portion for reflecting another portion of the light power radiated from said surface into said optical fiber waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said semiconductor optical source is a light-emitting diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said terminating portion is affixed to said light-emitting surface with a material having an index of refraction the same as or greater than the index of refraction of said optical fiber waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said material is epoxy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein the reflecting means is a polished bevel at the end of said optical fiber waveguide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said polished bevel is coated with a reflective metallic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination in accordance with claim 6 which further includes means for orienting the rotational position and the lateral position of the beveled end of said optical fiber waveguide on said light-emitting surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said beveled optical fiber waveguide end makes an angle of 45 degrees with said light-emitting surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said light-emitting surface is within a groove etched in said light-emitting diode, said terminating portion of said fiber waveguide being disposed within said groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination in accordance with claim 9 which further includes means for orienting the rotational position and the lateral position of the beveled end of said optical fiber waveguide on said light-emitting surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination in accordance with claim 10 wherein the orienting means is a member disposed across said groove.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
In combination, a semiconductor optical source having a light-emitting surface, receptacle means attached to said semiconductor optical source forming a tubular region between said means and said source having a central axis substantially parallel to said light-emitting surface, said receptacle means having two ends, a first end being adapted to receive a terminating end of an optical fiber waveguide, and the second end including means for reflecting light power radiated from said surface towards said first end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
In combination, a semiconductor optical source having a light-emitting surface, receptacle means attached to said semiconductor optical source forming a tubular region between said means and said source having a central axis substantially parallel to said light-emitting surface, said receptacle means having two ends, a first end being adapted to receive a terminating end of an optical fiber waveguide, and the second end including means for reflecting light power radiated from said surface towards said first end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination in accordance with claim 12 wherein said semiconductor optical source is a light-emitting diode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination in accordance with claim 13 further including light refractive material disposed within said tubular region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination in accordance with claim 14 wherein said light refractive material has substantially the same index of refraction as an optical fiber waveguide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination in accordance with claim 15 wherein said means for reflecting light is a planar reflective surface disposed at an acute angle to said light-emitting surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination in accordance with claim 15 which further includes an optical fiber waveguide having a terminating end thereof disposed within said receptacle means through said first end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
91 words
In combination, a semiconductor optical detector having a detecting surface, an optical fiber waveguide having a central axis, a terminating portion of said fiber waveguide being affixed to said surface such that the axis of said terminating portion is substantially parallel to said surface so that a portion of the light power transmitted in said optical fiber waveguide is directly refracted into said detecting surface, and means at the end of said terminating portion for reflecting another portion of the light power from said optical fiber waveguide into said detecting surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
91 words
In combination, a semiconductor optical detector having a detecting surface, an optical fiber waveguide having a central axis, a terminating portion of said fiber waveguide being affixed to said surface such that the axis of said terminating portion is substantially parallel to said surface so that a portion of the light power transmitted in said optical fiber waveguide is directly refracted into said detecting surface, and means at the end of said terminating portion for reflecting another portion of the light power from said optical fiber waveguide into said detecting surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination in accordance with claim 18 wherein said semiconductor optical detector is a photodiode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination in accordance with claim 19 wherein said terminating portion is affixed to said light-emitting surface with a material having an index of refraction the same as the index of refraction of said semiconductor optical detector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination in accordance with claim 20 wherein said material is epoxy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination in accordance with claim 19 wherein the reflecting means is a polished bevel at the end of said optical fiber waveguide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination in accordance with claim 22 wherein said polished bevel is coated with a reflective metallic material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination in accordance with claim 23 which further includes means for orienting the rotational position and the lateral position of the beveled end of said optical fiber waveguide on said light-emitting surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination in accordance with claim 22 wherein said beveled optical fiber waveguide end makes an angle of 45° with said light-emitting surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
In combination, a semiconductor optical detector having a light-detecting surface, receptacle means attached to said semiconductor optical detector forming a tubular region between said means and said detector having a central axis substantially parallel to said light-detecting surface, said receptacle means having two ends, a first end being adapted to receive a terminating end of an optical fiber waveguide, and the second end including means for reflecting light power radiated from said first end into said surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
77 words
In combination, a semiconductor optical detector having a light-detecting surface, receptacle means attached to said semiconductor optical detector forming a tubular region between said means and said detector having a central axis substantially parallel to said light-detecting surface, said receptacle means having two ends, a first end being adapted to receive a terminating end of an optical fiber waveguide, and the second end including means for reflecting light power radiated from said first end into said surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination in accordance with claim 26 wherein said semiconductor optical source is a photodiode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination in accordance with claim 27 further including light refractive material disposed within said tubular region.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination in accordance with claim 28 wherein said light refractive material has substantially the same index of refraction as an optical fiber waveguide.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination in accordance with claim 29 wherein said means for reflecting light is a planar reflective surface disposed at an acute angle to said light-detecting surface.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination in accordance with claim 29 which further includes an optical fiber waveguide having a terminating end thereof disposed within said receptacle means through said first end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-18 | 1982-06-19 | 1982-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-18 | 1986-06-19 | 1986-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-18 | 1990-06-19 | 1990-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |