Patent JPS5848A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4469554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Etch procedure for optical fibers
Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America Inc
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Filing: 1983-04-05
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Granted: 1984-09-04
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Expires: 2003-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A process is described for etching a tapered point on a cylindrically symmetric body using an inert liquid layer on top of the etching solution. The process is extremely useful for etching tapered points on optical fibers prior to melt-back to form a small lens to couple light from laser to optical fiber. The process produces excellent tapered points rapidly and reproducibly with a minimum of operator attention and without etch marks above the taper.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis R. Turner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:47
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C15/00; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
Process comprising at least partially immersing a cylindrically symmetric body in first liquid in order to etch the cylindrically symmetric body characterized in that a second liquid is located on top of the first liquid, said second liquid being substantially non-etching and substantially immiscible in the first liquid and the cylindrically symmetric body is a glass optical fiber consisting of at least 80 weight percent silicon dioxide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
Process comprising at least partially immersing a cylindrically symmetric body in first liquid in order to etch the cylindrically symmetric body characterized in that a second liquid is located on top of the first liquid, said second liquid being substantially non-etching and substantially immiscible in the first liquid and the cylindrically symmetric body is a glass optical fiber consisting of at least 80 weight percent silicon dioxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 in which the second liquid has density less than the first liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 2 in which the second liquid consists essentially of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of sunflower seed oil, mineral oil, motor oil, heavy gear oil, synthetic motor oil, castor oil, corn oil, linseed oil, and whale oil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 in which the cylindrically symmetric body is etched to a tapered point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 in which the glass optical fiber consists of at least 90 weight percent silicon dioxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 5 in which the glass optical fiber consists of at least 95 weight percent silicon dioxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 in which the first liquid is aqueous hydrofluoric acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 7 in which the concentration of the aqueous hydrofluoric acid is between 35 weight percent and near 100 weight percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 8 in which the concentration of the aqueous hydrofluoric acid is about 49 weight percent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
Process for producing an optical fiber with a lens by melting back a tapered point to form the lens in which the tapered point is made by at least partially immersing the optical fiber in a first liquid in order to etch the optical fiber characterized in that a second liquid is located on top of the first liquid, said second liquid being substantially non-etching and substantially immiscible in the first liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
Process for producing an optical fiber with a lens by melting back a tapered point to form the lens in which the tapered point is made by at least partially immersing the optical fiber in a first liquid in order to etch the optical fiber characterized in that a second liquid is located on top of the first liquid, said second liquid being substantially non-etching and substantially immiscible in the first liquid.
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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) | 1987-09-04 | 1988-03-05 | 1988-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-04 | 1992-03-05 | 1992-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-04 | 1996-03-05 | 1996-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |