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US4673244A
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Method of aligning a polarization-preserving optical fiber with a semiconductor laser for attachment of the fiber to the laser
Assignee: Global Strategies Group North America Inc
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Filing: 1984-04-24
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Granted: 1987-06-16
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Expires: 2004-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A method of aligning the polarization-preserving axis of a receiving end of a polarization-preserving optical fiber with the linearly-polarized output of a semiconductor laser in which the fiber optic end is placed substantially adjacent the laser rather than being separated from the laser by a polarizing optical system.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald O. Miles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4216; G02B6/4219; G02B6/422; G02B6/4227; G02B6/4236; G02B6/4238; G02B6/4239; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of aligning a receiving end of a polarization-preserving optical fiber with a semiconductor laser comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the receiving end substantially adjacent to the laser; (b) measuring an extinction ratio at the position of step (a); (c) rotating the fiber a desired amount; (d) remeasuring the extinction ratio at the position of step (c); and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) as necessary until the remeasured extinction ratio indicates that a desired alignment has been achieved.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of aligning a receiving end of a polarization-preserving optical fiber with a semiconductor laser comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the receiving end substantially adjacent to the laser; (b) measuring an extinction ratio at the position of step (a); (c) rotating the fiber a desired amount; (d) remeasuring the extinction ratio at the position of step (c); and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) as necessary until the remeasured extinction ratio indicates that a desired alignment has been achieved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring and remeasuring steps each comprise: rotating a polarizer adjacent an emitting end of the fiber to obtain maximum transmission of light through the polarizer; noting the value I(max) of the intensity of the maximum transmission; rotating the polarizer approximately 90° to obtain minimum transmission of light through the polarizer; noting the value I(min) of the intensity of the minimum transmission; and calculating the ratio of I(max) to I(min).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising an additional step before step (a) of concentrically encasing the receiving end in a rotatable casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fiber has a core having an elliptical cross section, further comprising an additional step between steps (a) and (b) of coarsely aligning the receiving end by transmitting light into the emitting end through the fiber out of the receiving end, and rotating the receiving end until the major axis of the elliptical cross section is in an anticipated plane of polarization of light emitted by the laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the steps of: (f) attaching the ferrule to the laser with a bonding material; (g) monitoring fiber output while the bonding material sets up and (h) repositioning the receiving end in a direction opposite that in which monitored fiber output indicates that the bonding material while setting up is displacing the receiving end out of alignment.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of aligning a receiving end of a polarization-preserving optical fiber with a semiconductor laser comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the receiving end substantially adjacent to the laser; (b) measuring a value R of an extinction ratio of light emitted by the laser and transmitted through the fiber; (c) rotating the receiving end through an angle θ; (d) measuring a value R' of an extinction ratio of light emitted by the laser and transmitted through the fiber; (e) comparing R with R'; (f) setting R equal to R' and repeating steps (c)-(f) if it is determined in comparing step (e) that R is less than R' and proceeding to step (g) if R is not less than R'; (g) determining whether step (d) has been performed more than once; (h) reversing the direction in which the fiber end is rotated and repeating steps (c)-(h) if it is determined in step (g) that step (d) has not been performed more than once and proceeding to the next step if (d) has been performed more than once; and (k) terminating the alignment procedure.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of aligning a receiving end of a polarization-preserving optical fiber with a semiconductor laser comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the receiving end substantially adjacent to the laser; (b) measuring a value R of an extinction ratio of light emitted by the laser and transmitted through the fiber; (c) rotating the receiving end through an angle θ; (d) measuring a value R' of an extinction ratio of light emitted by the laser and transmitted through the fiber; (e) comparing R with R'; (f) setting R equal to R' and repeating steps (c)-(f) if it is determined in comparing step (e) that R is less than R' and proceeding to step (g) if R is not less than R'; (g) determining whether step (d) has been performed more than once; (h) reversing the direction in which the fiber end is rotated and repeating steps (c)-(h) if it is determined in step (g) that step (d) has not been performed more than once and proceeding to the next step if (d) has been performed more than once; and (k) terminating the alignment procedure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the measuring steps (b) and (d) further comprise the steps of: orienting a polarizer adjacent an emitting end of the fiber to obtain maximum transmission of light through the polarizer; noting the value I(max) of the intensity of the maximum transmission; rotating the polarizer approximately 90° to obtain minimum transmission of light through the polarizer; noting the value I(min) of the intensity of the minimum transmission; and calculating the ratio of I(max) to I(min).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the steps between steps (h) and (k) of: (i) determining whether θ is equal to a predetermined minimum value; and (j) decreasing θ by a predetermined amount and repeating steps (c)-(j) if it is determined in step (i) that θ is not equal to the predetermined minimum value and proceeding to step (k) if θ is equal to the predetermined minimum value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising before step (a) the step of concentrically encasing the receiving end of the fiber in a rotatable casing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising the steps of: (l) attaching the casing to the laser using a bonding material; (m) monitoring fiber output while the bonding material sets up; and (n) repositioning the receiving end if monitored fiber output indicates that the bonding material while setting up is moving the fiber out of alignment in a direction counter to that of the movement due to the setting up.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fiber has a core having an elliptical cross section, further comprising an additional step between steps (a) and (b) of coarsely aligning the receiving end by transmitting light into the emitting end through the fiber out of the receiving end, and rotating the receiving end until the major axis of the elliptical cross section is in an anticipated plane of polarization of light emitted by the laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the receiving end of said fiber is metallized, and said bonding material is a solder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion of the fiber and the solder are matched to each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bonding material is an epoxy adhesive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the receiving end of said fiber is metallized, and said bonding material is a solder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion of the fiber and the solder are matched to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said bonding material is an epoxy adhesive.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of aligning a receiving end of a polarization-preserving optical fiber with a means for emitting coherent light comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the receiving end substantially adjacent of the coherent light emitting means; (b) measuring an extinction ratio at the position of step (a); (c) rotating the fiber a desired amount; (d) remeasuring the extinction ratio at the position of step (c); and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) as necessary until the remeasured extinction ratio indicates that a desired alignment has been achieved.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of aligning a receiving end of a polarization-preserving optical fiber with a means for emitting coherent light comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the receiving end substantially adjacent of the coherent light emitting means; (b) measuring an extinction ratio at the position of step (a); (c) rotating the fiber a desired amount; (d) remeasuring the extinction ratio at the position of step (c); and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) as necessary until the remeasured extinction ratio indicates that a desired alignment has been achieved.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measuring and remeasuring steps each comprise: rotating a polarizer adjacent an emitting end of the fiber to obtain maximum transmission of light through the polarizer; noting the value I(max) of the intensity of the maximum transmission; rotating the polarizer approximately 90° to obtain minimum transmission of light through the polarizer; noting the value I(max) of the intensity of the minimum transmission; and calculating the ratio of I(max) to I(min).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fiber has a core having an elliptical cross section, further comprising an additional step between steps (a) and (b) of coarsely aligning the receiving end by transmitting light into the emitting end through the fiber out of the receiving end, and rotating the receiving end until the major axis of the elliptical cross section is in an anticipated plane of polarization of light emitted by the laser.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said receiving end of the fiber is encased in casing means further comprising the steps of: (f) attaching the casing means to the laser with a bonding material; (g) monitoring fiber output while the bonding material sets up and (h) repositioning the receiving end in a direction opposite that in which monitored fiber output indicates that the bonding material while setting up is displacing the receiving end out of alignment.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of aligning a receiving end of a polarization-preserving optical fiber with a means for emitting coherent light comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the receiving end substantially adjacent to the coherent light emitting means; (b) measuring a value R of an extinction ratio of light emitted by the laser and transmitted through the fiber; (c) rotating the receiving end through an angle θ; (d) measuring a value R' of an extinction ratio of light emitted by the laser and transmitted through the fiber; (e) comparing R with R'; (f) setting R equal to R' and repeating steps (c)-(f) if it is determined in comparing step (e) that R is less than R' and proceeding to step (g) if R is not less than R'; (g) determining whether step (d) has been performed more than once; (h) reversing the direction in which the fiber end is rotated and repeating steps (c)-(h) if it is determined in step (g) that step (d) has not been performed more than once and proceeding to the next step if (d) has been performed more than once; and (k) terminating the alignment procedure.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of aligning a receiving end of a polarization-preserving optical fiber with a means for emitting coherent light comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the receiving end substantially adjacent to the coherent light emitting means; (b) measuring a value R of an extinction ratio of light emitted by the laser and transmitted through the fiber; (c) rotating the receiving end through an angle θ; (d) measuring a value R' of an extinction ratio of light emitted by the laser and transmitted through the fiber; (e) comparing R with R'; (f) setting R equal to R' and repeating steps (c)-(f) if it is determined in comparing step (e) that R is less than R' and proceeding to step (g) if R is not less than R'; (g) determining whether step (d) has been performed more than once; (h) reversing the direction in which the fiber end is rotated and repeating steps (c)-(h) if it is determined in step (g) that step (d) has not been performed more than once and proceeding to the next step if (d) has been performed more than once; and (k) terminating the alignment procedure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the measuring steps (b) and (d) further comprise the steps of: orienting a polarizer adjacent an emitting end of the fiber to obtain maximum transmission of light through the polarizer; noting the value I(max) of the intensity of the maximum transmission; rotating the polarizer approximately 90° to obtain minimum transmission of light through the polarizer; noting the value I(min) of the intensity of the minimum transmission; and calculating the ratio of I(max) to I(min).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising the steps between steps (h) and (k) of: (i) determining whether θ is equal to a predetermined minimum value; and (j) decreasing θ by a predetermined amount and repeating steps (c)-(j) if it is determined in step (i) that θ is not equal to the predetermined minimum value and proceeding to step (k) if θ is equal to the predetermined minimum value.
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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) | 1990-06-15 | 1990-12-15 | 1991-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-15 | 1994-12-15 | 1995-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-15 | 1998-12-15 | 1999-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |