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Coupler-type optical switch and process for producing the same

Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1990-09-09
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Granted: 1992-04-28
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Expires: 2010-09-09
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Abstract

Abstract A coupler-type optical switch and a process for producing the same are disclosed, which coupler-type optical switch comprises an optical fiber coupler and a medium surrounding the photocoupler part of the optical fiber coupler and in which the refractive index of the medium is controllable, the medium comprising an energy-curing resin or a transparent liquid material and, dispersed or dissolved in the resin or liquid material, an optical material whose refractive index changes by the action of an electric or magnetic field.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tsuyoshi Nonaka
  • 👤 Toshifumi Hosoya
  • 👤 Yasuo Matsuda
  • 👤 Toru Yamanishi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 10:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02F1/3131

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 62 words
A coupler-type optical switch which comprises an optical fiber coupler and a medium surrounding the photocoupler part of the optical fiber coupler and in which the refractive index of said medium is controllable, said medium comprising an energy-curing resin and, dispersed or dissolved in said resin, an optical material whose refractive index changes by the action of an electric or magnetic field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 62 words
A coupler-type optical switch which comprises an optical fiber coupler and a medium surrounding the photocoupler part of the optical fiber coupler and in which the refractive index of said medium is controllable, said medium comprising an energy-curing resin and, dispersed or dissolved in said resin, an optical material whose refractive index changes by the action of an electric or magnetic field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 48 words
A coupler-type optical switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy-curing resin is selected from the group consisting f an acrylic resin, a polyamide resin, a polyether resin, a polyurethane resin, a poly(amide-imide) resin, a silicon resin, a phenolic resin, an epoxy resin, and a fluoro resin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
A coupler-type optical switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cladding of said optical fiber is a quartz cladding and the refractive index of said material is from about 1.40 to about 1.45.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 89 words
A process for producing a coupler-type optical switch, which comprises placing an uncured resin composition comprising an energy-curing resin and, dispersed or dissolved in said resin, an optical material whose refractive index changes by the action of an electric or magnetic field, around an optical fiber coupler so that the photocoupling part of the coupler is surrounded by the resin composition, and then curing the resin composition after the resin composition is subjected to an orientation treatment or while the resin composition is being subjected to an orientation treatment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 89 words
A process for producing a coupler-type optical switch, which comprises placing an uncured resin composition comprising an energy-curing resin and, dispersed or dissolved in said resin, an optical material whose refractive index changes by the action of an electric or magnetic field, around an optical fiber coupler so that the photocoupling part of the coupler is surrounded by the resin composition, and then curing the resin composition after the resin composition is subjected to an orientation treatment or while the resin composition is being subjected to an orientation treatment.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB1536518A Cited
US4264126A Cited
FR2507787A1 Cited
EP0176178A2 Cited
US4679894A Cited
EP0204493A2 Cited
US4786130A Cited
US4965020A Cited
EP0282963A2 Cited
JPH01116523A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-04-28 1995-10-28 1996-04-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-04-28 1999-10-28 2000-04-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-04-28 2003-10-28 2004-04-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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