US4726645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical coupler
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1984-09-26
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Granted: 1988-02-23
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Expires: 2004-09-26
Abstract
Abstract In an optical coupling unit having an optical coupler adapted to couple a light beam from a light-emitting element to an optical fiber, the aberration of the lens is decreased to improve the efficiency of coupling of the light beam from the light-emitting element to the optical fiber. A silicon crystal having a high refractive index is used as a lens material to realize an optical system of low aberration.
Inventors
- 👤 Junichiro Yamashita
- 👤 Yoshio Miyake
- 👤 Toshio Takei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4219; G02B6/4228; G02B6/423; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
In an optical coupler unit having an optical coupler disposed between a light-emitting element and an optical fiber for coupling a light beam emitted by said light-emitting element to said optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical coupler comprises a silicon crystal spherical lens, the surfaces of which are covered with an antireflective coating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
In an optical coupler unit having an optical coupler disposed between a light-emitting element and an optical fiber for coupling a light beam emitted by said light-emitting element to said optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical coupler comprises a silicon crystal spherical lens, the surfaces of which are covered with an antireflective coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical coupler unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said silicon crystal spherical lens is a silicon crystal lens having the form of a sphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical coupler unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said silicon crystal spherical lens is a silicon crystal plano-convex lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical coupler unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said silicon crystal spherical lens is a silicon crystal semispherical lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical coupler unit as claimed in claim 3, in which said silicon crystal plano-convex lens is disposed in such a manner that a flat surface thereof faces toward said light-emitting element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical coupler unit as claimed in claim 3, in which said silicon crystal plano-convex lens is disposed in such a manner that a flat surface thereof faces toward said optical fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical coupler unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lens is disposed in such a manner that a flat surface thereof faces toward said optical fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical coupler unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lens is disposed in such a manner that a flat surface thereof faces toward said light-emitting element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
An optical coupler unit comprising: an optical coupler disposed between a light-emitting element and an optical fiber to couple a light beam emitted by said light-emitting element to said optical fiber; a mount which fixedly secures said optical coupler, said mount having a through hole at a center thereof, said through hole having a counter bore formed therein; and one of a silicon crystal semi-spherical lens and a silicon crystal plano-convex lens mounted in said counter bore in such a manner that a flat surface of said lens rests on a bottom of said counter bore and a periphery of said lens is hermetically secured to an inner wall of said counter bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
An optical coupler unit comprising: an optical coupler disposed between a light-emitting element and an optical fiber to couple a light beam emitted by said light-emitting element to said optical fiber; a mount which fixedly secures said optical coupler, said mount having a through hole at a center thereof, said through hole having a counter bore formed therein; and one of a silicon crystal semi-spherical lens and a silicon crystal plano-convex lens mounted in said counter bore in such a manner that a flat surface of said lens rests on a bottom of said counter bore and a periphery of said lens is hermetically secured to an inner wall of said counter bore.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The optical coupler unit as claimed in claim 9, in which the periphery of said lens is hermetically secured to said inner wall of said counter bore with a material selected from the group consisting of brazing material, adhesive and low-melting-point glass.
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) | 1991-02-22 | 1991-08-24 | 1992-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-22 | 1995-08-24 | 1996-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-22 | 1999-08-24 | 2000-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |