US4474425A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Planar, optical star coupler for optical fibers
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1981-11-13
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Granted: 1984-10-02
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Expires: 2001-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An optical coupler formed on a substrate including a plurality of input and output guide channels and an immediate mixing guide channel connecting the input and output guide channels wherein the optical coupler comprises substantially V-shaped grooves on the substrate disposed in the ends of the input and output guide channels for receiving optical fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhisa Kaede
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/30; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An optical coupler comprising: a substrate having a first surface; a first wide groove formed in said surface and extending substantially across said surface; a plurality of second and third grooves narrower than said first groove formed in the opposite ends of said surface and connecting with said first groove; a first thin glass layer deposited on said grooved surface except for the opposite end portions thereof and conforming to said grooves such that the upper surface thereof corresponds to said grooved configuration; a second glass layer deposited on said first glass layer which substantially fills said second and third grooves and which has a larger refractive index than that of said first glass layer; a third glass layer deposited on said second glass layer having a refractive index which is less than that of said second glass layer, and individual optical fibers arranged in said second and third grooves at the end portions thereof which are not covered by said glass layers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
An optical coupler comprising: a substrate having a first surface; a first wide groove formed in said surface and extending substantially across said surface; a plurality of second and third grooves narrower than said first groove formed in the opposite ends of said surface and connecting with said first groove; a first thin glass layer deposited on said grooved surface except for the opposite end portions thereof and conforming to said grooves such that the upper surface thereof corresponds to said grooved configuration; a second glass layer deposited on said first glass layer which substantially fills said second and third grooves and which has a larger refractive index than that of said first glass layer; a third glass layer deposited on said second glass layer having a refractive index which is less than that of said second glass layer, and individual optical fibers arranged in said second and third grooves at the end portions thereof which are not covered by said glass layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical coupler of claim 1, wherein said second and third grooves are substantially V-shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical coupler of claim 1, wherein each of said second and third grooves has opposite side faces intersecting in extended faces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical coupler of claim 1 or 3, wherein said first groove has a flat bottom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical coupler of claim 1 or 3, wherein said substrate is formed of silicon with said first surface constituted by a (100) plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical coupler of claim 5, wherein said first, second and third grooves are formed in a crystal orientation of <110> of said silicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical coupler of claim 1, wherein said substrate is formed of glass, and said first and second grooves are formed by pressing said substrate while the same is in a softened state.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB2000877A
Cited
US4213670A
Cited
JPS54130143A
Cited
US4273445A
Cited
US4210923A
Cited
US4262995A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-02 | 1988-04-02 | 1988-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-02 | 1992-04-02 | 1992-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-04-02 | 1996-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |