US5371816A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making a 1×N fiber optic coupler
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-30
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Granted: 1994-12-06
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Expires: 2013-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A low-cost, high performance 1×N fiber optic coupler where N>16 is presented. The coupler has a GRIN lens having an first optic fiber aligned with the optical axis of the lens at one end of the lens. The first optic fiber ends in a microlens. At the other end of the GRIN lens a bundle of tapered second optic fibers is centered on the optical axis of the lens.
Inventors
- 👤 Jing-Jong Pan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/32; G02B6/245; G02B6/255; G02B6/2552; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2848
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of manufacturing a 1×N fiber optic coupler comprising: forming a microlens at an end of a first optic fiber; fixing said microlens end of said first fiber along an optical axis of a GRIN lens a predetermined distance away from a first surface of said GRIN lens so that a light signal from said first optical fiber appears to emanate from a point source at said first surface of said GRIN lens; and tapering an end section of at least N second optical fibers such that at least the core is exposed at the end of each fiber; bundling said second fiber end sections with a binding material having an index of refraction less than that of said second fiber core; aligning the tips of said second optic fibers so that the ends of said second optic fibers are perpendicular to the axis of said optical fiber bundle; and fixing the bundle of said second optical fibers along said optical axis of said GRIN lens and against a second surface of said GRIN lens opposite said first surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of manufacturing a 1×N fiber optic coupler comprising: forming a microlens at an end of a first optic fiber; fixing said microlens end of said first fiber along an optical axis of a GRIN lens a predetermined distance away from a first surface of said GRIN lens so that a light signal from said first optical fiber appears to emanate from a point source at said first surface of said GRIN lens; and tapering an end section of at least N second optical fibers such that at least the core is exposed at the end of each fiber; bundling said second fiber end sections with a binding material having an index of refraction less than that of said second fiber core; aligning the tips of said second optic fibers so that the ends of said second optic fibers are perpendicular to the axis of said optical fiber bundle; and fixing the bundle of said second optical fibers along said optical axis of said GRIN lens and against a second surface of said GRIN lens opposite said first surface.
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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) | 1997-12-05 | 1998-06-06 | 1998-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-05 | 2002-06-06 | 2002-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-05 | 2006-06-06 | 2006-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |