US5329600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reflection monitor optical fiber coupler manufacturing system and method
Assignee: Sumiden Opcom Ltd
•
Filing: 1992-06-02
•
Granted: 1994-07-12
•
Expires: 2012-06-02
Abstract
Abstract In an optical fiber coupler fabricating process where couplers are successively formed by heating, elongating and cutting a plurality of long optical fibers, light is led into the first end of the fiber, reflected at the second end of the coupler, and the reflected light is monitored by photodetectors. In this manner, an exact splitting ratio can be obtained. Techniques for minimizing measuring errors caused by the inter-reflected-light interference, the inter-Rayleigh-scattering-light interference, and the interference between the reflected light and the Rayleigh scattering light, while exploiting the advantageous feature of the reflection monitor method that the fiber connection work for each fiber coupler fabrication is not required are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Eisuke Sasaoka
- 👤 Masumi Fukuma
- 👤 Hiroaki Takimoto
- 👤 Hiroshi Suganuma
- 👤 Hiroshi Yokota
- 👤 Junichi Yoshikawa
- 👤 Kazuhiko Arimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:18
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2821; G02B6/2835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 110
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising the steps of: fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers; providing a predetermined quantity of light incident on at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end of said optical fibers; passing said light through said coupler forming part; reflecting said light at a second end of said optical fiber; returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber; detecting said light at the first end of said optical fibers; obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of the detected light to a characteristic of the incident light; and inhibiting said fusing and elongating step responsive to said ratio.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising the steps of: fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers; providing a predetermined quantity of light incident on at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end of said optical fibers; passing said light through said coupler forming part; reflecting said light at a second end of said optical fiber; returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber; detecting said light at the first end of said optical fibers; obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of the detected light to a characteristic of the incident light; and inhibiting said fusing and elongating step responsive to said ratio.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 1, wherein the length of said fibers is substantially greater than the diameter thereof, further comprising the steps of: providing a light source and photodetectors at the first end of the optical fibers; and forming a coupler forming part at the second end of the optical fibers.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising the steps of: fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers; introducing a predetermined quantity of light into at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end of said optical fibers; passing said light through said coupler forming part; reflecting said passed light at a second end of said optical fiber;, returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber; detecting said returned light at a first end of each of at least two of said fibers; obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of the light detected at a first of said at least two fibers to a characteristic of the light detected at a second of at least two fibers; and inhibiting said fusing and elongating step responsive to said ratio.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising the steps of: fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers; introducing a predetermined quantity of light into at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end of said optical fibers; passing said light through said coupler forming part; reflecting said passed light at a second end of said optical fiber;, returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber; detecting said returned light at a first end of each of at least two of said fibers; obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of the light detected at a first of said at least two fibers to a characteristic of the light detected at a second of at least two fibers; and inhibiting said fusing and elongating step responsive to said ratio.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 3, wherein the length of said fibers is substantially greater than the diameter thereof, further comprising the steps of: providing a light source and photodetectors at the first end of the optical fibers; and forming a coupler forming part at the second end of the optical fibers.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
24 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to one of claims 1-4, said obtaining step comprising the step of correcting said ratio.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 5, wherein said correcting step comprises the step of: correcting said ratio responsive to a characteristic of said reflection ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of: applying a predetermined quantity of light to at least one of said optical fibers at a first end thereof; and determining the quantity of Rayleigh scattering light in said optical fiber at the first end thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 7, further comprising the step of: suppressing Fresnel reflection at a second end of said optical fiber responsive to said determining step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 8, further comprising the step of: immersing the second end of said optical fiber in refractive index matching material, thereby suppressing the Fresnel reflection at the second end of said optical fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 6, further comprising the step of: providing a reflection preventing device on the second end of at least one of the plurality of optical fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: providing reflection preventing devices on the second end of all optical fibers other than the fiber to which light is incident.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in light absorbing material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in refractive index matching oil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by bending the second end of an optical fiber so that its diameter is reduced, thereby causing light loss.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by obliquely cutting the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by obliquely polishing the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in light absorbing material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in refractive index matching oil.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by bending the second end of an optical fiber so that its diameter is reduced, thereby causing light loss.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by obliquely cutting the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by obliquely polishing the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 6, wherein said correcting step comprises the step of: correcting said ratio responsive to a characteristic of said incident light.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 22, further comprising the step of: introducing low coherency light into the first end of said optical fiber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 22, further comprising the steps of: forcibly causing the variations of the received light powers owing to the interferences by the Fresnel reflection light and the Rayleigh scattering light; and averaging said variations with respect to time, whereby light is received stably.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 24, further comprising the steps of: varying at least one of the phase, polarization, and frequency of the light propagating through the optical fiber and the optical fiber coupler, thereby forcibly causing the variations of the received light powers owing to the interferences by the Fresnel reflection light and the Rayleigh scattering light.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 22, further comprising the step of: introducing modulated light into the first end of said optical fiber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 26, further comprising the step of: detecting the reflected light synchronously with the incident modulated light.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 27, further comprising the step of: amplifying the reflected light prior to said detecting step.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 28, further comprising the step of: using a lock-in amplifier in said amplifying step.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 5, wherein said correcting step comprises the step of: correcting said ratio responsive to a characteristic of said incident light.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 30, further comprising the step of: introducing low coherency light into the first end of said optical fiber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 30, further comprising the steps of: forcibly causing the variations of the received light powers owing to the interferences by the Fresnel reflection light and the Rayleigh scattering light; and averaging said variations with respect to time, whereby light is received stably.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 32, further comprising the steps of: varying at least one of the phase, polarization, and frequency of the light propagating through the optical fiber and the optical fiber coupler, thereby forcibly causing the variations of the received light powers owing to the interferences by the Fresnel reflection light and the Rayleigh scattering light.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 30, further comprising the step of: introducing modulated light into the first end of said optical fiber.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 34, further comprising the step of: detecting the reflected light synchronously with the incident modulated light.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 35, further comprising the step of: amplifying the reflected light prior to said detecting step.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 36, further comprising the step of: using a lock-in amplifier in said amplifying step.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 30, wherein said correcting step comprises the step of: correcting said ratio responsive to a characteristic of said reflection ends.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 38, further comprising the steps of: applying a predetermined quantity of light to at least one of said optical fibers-at a first end thereof; and determining the quantity of Rayleigh scattering light in said optical fiber at the first end thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 39, further comprising the step of: suppressing Fresnel reflection at a second end of said optical fiber responsive to said determining step.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 40, further comprising the step of: immersing the second end of said optical fiber in refractive index matching material, thereby suppressing the Fresnel reflection at the second end of said optical fiber.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 38, further comprising the step of: providing a reflection preventing device on the second end of at least one of the plurality of optical fibers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 42, further comprising the step of: providing reflection preventing devices on the second end of all optical fibers other than the fiber to which light is incident.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 43, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in light absorbing material.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 43, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in refractive index matching oil.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 43, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by bending the second end of an optical fiber so that its diameter is reduced, thereby causing light loss.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 43, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by obliquely cutting the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 43, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by obliquely polishing the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 42, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in light absorbing material.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 42, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in refractive index matching oil.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 42, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by bending the second end of an optical fiber so that its diameter is reduced, thereby causing light loss.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 42, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by obliquely cutting the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 42, further comprising the step of: forming a reflection preventing device by obliquely polishing the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising: means for fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers; a light source for providing a predetermined quantity of light incident on at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end-of said optical fibers; an optical fiber for passing said light through said coupler forming part and for returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber; means for reflecting said light at a second end of said optical fiber; means for detecting said returned light at a first end of at least one of said fibers; means for obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of said detected light to a characteristic of said incident light; and means for inhibiting the operation of said fusing and elongating means responsive to said obtaining means.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising: means for fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers; a light source for providing a predetermined quantity of light incident on at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end-of said optical fibers; an optical fiber for passing said light through said coupler forming part and for returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber; means for reflecting said light at a second end of said optical fiber; means for detecting said returned light at a first end of at least one of said fibers; means for obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of said detected light to a characteristic of said incident light; and means for inhibiting the operation of said fusing and elongating means responsive to said obtaining means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 54, wherein the length of said optical fibers is substantially greater that the diameter thereof, further comprising: a light source at the first end of said optical fibers; photodetectors at the first end of said optical fibers; and means at the second end of said optical fibers for forming the coupler forming part.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising: means for fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers; a light source for providing a predetermined quantity of light incident on at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end of said optical fibers; an optical fiber for passing said light through said coupler forming part and for returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber; means for reflecting said light at a second end of said optical fiber; means for detecting said returned light at a first end of each of at least two of said fibers; means for obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of the light detected at a first of said at least two fibers to a characteristic of the light detected at a second of said at least two fibers; and means for inhibiting the operation of said fusing and elongating means responsive to said obtaining means.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler comprising: means for fusing and elongating a coupler forming part of a plurality of optical fibers; a light source for providing a predetermined quantity of light incident on at least one of said plurality of optical fibers from a first end of said optical fibers; an optical fiber for passing said light through said coupler forming part and for returning said light through said coupler forming part toward the first end of said optical fiber; means for reflecting said light at a second end of said optical fiber; means for detecting said returned light at a first end of each of at least two of said fibers; means for obtaining a ratio of a characteristic of the light detected at a first of said at least two fibers to a characteristic of the light detected at a second of said at least two fibers; and means for inhibiting the operation of said fusing and elongating means responsive to said obtaining means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 56, wherein the length of said optical fibers is substantially greater that the diameter thereof, further comprising: a light source at the first end of said optical fibers; photodetectors at the first end of said optical fibers; and means at the second end of said optical fibers for forming the coupler forming part.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
24 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to any of claims 54-57, wherein said obtaining means comprises means for correcting said ratio.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 58, wherein said correcting means comprises: means for correcting said ratio responsive to a characteristic of said incident light.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 59, further comprising: means for applying a predetermined quantity of light to at least one of said optical fibers at a first end thereof; and means for determining the quantity of Rayleigh scattering light in said optical fiber at the first end thereof.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 60, further comprising: means for suppressing Fresnel reflection at a second end of said optical fiber responsive to said determining means.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 61, wherein: said suppressing means is provided by immersing the second end of said optical fiber in refractive index matching material.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 59, further comprising: a reflection preventing device on the second end of at least one of the plurality of optical fibers for preventing reflections therein.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 63, further comprising: reflection preventing devices on the second end of all optical fibers other than the fiber to which light is incident for preventing reflections therein.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 64, wherein: at least one said reflection preventing devices is provided by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in light absorbing material.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 64, wherein: at least one of said reflection preventing devices is provided by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in refractive index matching oil.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 64, wherein: at least one of said reflection preventing devices is provided by bending the second end of an optical fiber so that its diameter is reduced, thereby causing light loss.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 64, wherein: at least one of said reflection preventing devices is provided by obliquely cutting the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 64, wherein: at least one of said reflection preventing devices is provided by obliquely polishing the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 63, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in light absorbing material.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 63, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in refractive index matching oil.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 63, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by bending the second end of an optical fiber so that its diameter is reduced, thereby causing light loss.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 63, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by obliquely cutting the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 63, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by obliquely polishing the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 59, wherein said correcting means comprises: means for correcting said ratio responsive to a characteristic of said reflected light.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 75, wherein said light source comprises: means for introducing low coherency light into the first end of said optical fiber.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 75, further comprising: means for forcibly causing variations of the received light owing to interference by the Fresnel reflection light and the Rayleigh scattering light; and means for averaging said variations with respect to time, whereby light is received stably.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 77, further comprising: means for varying at least one of the phase, polarization, and frequency of the light propagating through the optical fiber and the optical fiber coupler, thereby forcibly causing variations of the received light owing to interference by Fresnel reflection light and Rayleigh scattering light.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 75, wherein said light source comprises: means for introducing modulated light into the first end of said optical fiber.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 79, further comprising: means for detecting the reflected light synchronously with the incident modulated light.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 80, further comprising: means for amplifying the reflected light prior to detection by said detecting means.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 81, wherein said amplifying means comprises a lock-in amplifier.
Claim 87
Independent Claim
32 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to any of claims 54-57, wherein said correcting means comprises: means for correcting said ratio responsive to a characteristic of said reflected light.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 83, wherein said light source comprises: means for introducing low coherency light into the first end of said optical fiber.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 83, further comprising: means for forcibly causing variations of the received light owing to interference by the Fresnel reflection light and the Rayleigh scattering light; and means for averaging said variations with respect to time, whereby light is received stably.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 85, further comprising: means for varying at least one of the phase, polarization, and frequency of the light propagating through the optical fiber and the optical fiber coupler, thereby forcibly causing variations of the received light owing to interference by Fresnel reflection light and Rayleigh scattering light.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 83, wherein said light source comprises: means for introducing modulated light into the first end of said optical fiber.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 87, further comprising: means for detecting the reflected light synchronously with the incident modulated light.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 88, further comprising: means for amplifying the reflected light prior to detection by said detecting means.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 89, wherein said amplifying means comprises a lock-in amplifier.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 83, wherein said correcting means comprises: means for correcting said ratio responsive to a characteristic of said incident light.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 91, further comprising: means for applying a predetermined quantity of light to at least one of said optical fibers at a first end thereof; and means for determining the quantity of Rayleigh scattering light in said optical fiber at the first end thereof.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 92, further comprising: means for suppressing Fresnel reflection at a second end of said optical fiber responsive to said determining means.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 93, wherein: said suppressing means is provided by immersing the second end of said optical fiber in refractive index matching material.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 92, further comprising: reflection preventing devices on the second end of all optical fibers other than the fiber to which light is incident for preventing reflections therein.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 95, wherein: at least one of said reflection preventing devices is provided by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in light absorbing material.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 95, wherein: at least one of said reflection preventing devices is provided by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in refractive index matching oil.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 95, wherein: at least one of said reflection preventing devices is provided by bending the second end of an optical fiber so that its diameter is reduced, thereby causing light loss.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 95, wherein: at least one of said reflection preventing devices is provided by obliquely cutting the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 95, wherein: at least one of said reflection preventing devices is provided by obliquely polishing the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 91, further comprising: a reflection preventing device on the second end of at least one of the plurality of optical fibers for preventing reflections therein.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 101, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in light absorbing material.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 101, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by immersing the second end of an optical fiber in refractive index matching oil.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 101, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by bending the second end of an optical fiber so that its diameter is reduced, thereby causing light loss.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 101, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by obliquely cutting the second end of an optical fiber.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system for fabricating an optical fiber coupler according to claim 101, wherein: said reflection preventing device is provided by obliquely polishing the second end of an optical fiber.
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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) | 1997-07-11 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-11 | 2002-01-10 | 2002-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-01-10 | 2006-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |