Patent US4243399A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4243399A
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Method of producing a coupling element for an optical transmission fiber
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1978-06-07
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Granted: 1981-01-06
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Expires: 1998-06-07
Abstract
Abstract Method of producing a coupling element for coupling a laser radiation source to a monomode optical transmission fiber. The end of the fiber is monotonically flattened at a temperature at which the fiber's core has a viscosity of between 10 7 to 10 8 .5 poises. The fiber has a cladding glass chosen to have a viscosity of between 10 10 -10 11 poises at the flattening temperature. This causes the core glass to emerge in the form of a semi-ellipsoidal lens, when the fiber is flattened.
Inventors
- 👤 Giok D. Khoe
- 👤 Robert G. Gossink
- 👤 Cornelis M. G. Jochem
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:46
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of producing a coupling element used for coupling a radiation source in the form of a laser to a monomode optical transmission fiber, said fiber having a glass core material and a glass cladding material, wherein the method comprises the steps of: selecting the glass core material and the glass cladding material such that at a temperature, known as the flattening temperature, the core material has a viscosity of between 10 7 and 10 8 .5 poises and the cladding material has a viscosity of between 10 10 and 10 11 poises; heating the optical transmission fiber to the flattening temperatures; and monotonically flattening the fiber so that the end of the core has an elliptical cross-section; whereby the core material emerges from the cladding during flattening and the emerged portion assumes, under the influence of its surface tension, a semi-ellipsoidal form which, on cooling, becomes a fixed lens coupling element on the end of the core.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of producing a coupling element used for coupling a radiation source in the form of a laser to a monomode optical transmission fiber, said fiber having a glass core material and a glass cladding material, wherein the method comprises the steps of: selecting the glass core material and the glass cladding material such that at a temperature, known as the flattening temperature, the core material has a viscosity of between 10 7 and 10 8 .5 poises and the cladding material has a viscosity of between 10 10 and 10 11 poises; heating the optical transmission fiber to the flattening temperatures; and monotonically flattening the fiber so that the end of the core has an elliptical cross-section; whereby the core material emerges from the cladding during flattening and the emerged portion assumes, under the influence of its surface tension, a semi-ellipsoidal form which, on cooling, becomes a fixed lens coupling element on the end of the core.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coefficients of expansion of the core and cladding materials are substantially equal and wherein the index of refraction of the core material is approximately 1% higher than that of the cladding material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the core material has a viscosity of between 10 7 and 10 8 .5 poises at a temperature of between 600° C. and 610° C., and wherein the cladding material has a viscosity of between 10 10 and 10 11 poises at a temperature of between 600° C. and 670° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-06 | 1984-07-07 | 1985-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-06 | 1988-07-07 | 1989-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-06 | 1992-07-07 | 1993-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |