US5371818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated optical circuit and methods for connecting such circuits to glass fibers
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1993-08-12
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Granted: 1994-12-06
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Expires: 2013-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of preparing a waveguiding structure, of the type comprising an optical waveguide supported by a semiconductor substrate, for splicing to an optical fiber, is described. In accordance with the disclosure, a layer of glass is deposited over a distance from the end of said waveguide, and the underlying semiconductor substrate is removed over a portion of said distance. The resulting modified waveguide can then be fused to optical glass fibers using standard fusion machines.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman M. Presby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2551; G02B6/26; G02B6/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of connecting an optical waveguide supported by an underlying substrate to an optical fiber, comprising the steps of: depositing a layer of glass along the top of a portion of said waveguide extending a first distance from an end of said waveguide to a point along said waveguide; removing the underlying substrate of said waveguide from said end for a second distance therealong equal to or less than said first distance; aligning in butt relationship the core region of said waveguide end and the core region of said fiber; and heating said aligned waveguide and fiber to cause them to fuse together.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of connecting an optical waveguide supported by an underlying substrate to an optical fiber, comprising the steps of: depositing a layer of glass along the top of a portion of said waveguide extending a first distance from an end of said waveguide to a point along said waveguide; removing the underlying substrate of said waveguide from said end for a second distance therealong equal to or less than said first distance; aligning in butt relationship the core region of said waveguide end and the core region of said fiber; and heating said aligned waveguide and fiber to cause them to fuse together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said heating is produced by a laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said heating is produced by an electric arc fusion machine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The product made in accordance with the method of claim 1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
An integrated optical device including: an interaction region and at least one input optical waveguide and at least one output optical waveguide, each being formed on a semiconductor substrate; each of said waveguides having a first end and a second end, with the first of said ends being coupled to said interaction region; characterized in that: said substrate terminates along each of said waveguides at a point prior to said second end: and each of said waveguides is covered with a layer of glass extending from said second end to at least said prior point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
An integrated optical device including: an interaction region and at least one input optical waveguide and at least one output optical waveguide, each being formed on a semiconductor substrate; each of said waveguides having a first end and a second end, with the first of said ends being coupled to said interaction region; characterized in that: said substrate terminates along each of said waveguides at a point prior to said second end: and each of said waveguides is covered with a layer of glass extending from said second end to at least said prior point.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of preparing for splicing an optical waveguiding structure of the type comprising a waveguide resting on an underlying semiconductor substrate, including the steps of: depositing a layer of glass along the top of said waveguide over a first distance from the end of said waveguide; and removing the underlying substrate of said waveguiding structure over a second distance therealong from said end, where said second distance is equal to or less than said first distance.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of preparing for splicing an optical waveguiding structure of the type comprising a waveguide resting on an underlying semiconductor substrate, including the steps of: depositing a layer of glass along the top of said waveguide over a first distance from the end of said waveguide; and removing the underlying substrate of said waveguiding structure over a second distance therealong from said end, where said second distance is equal to or less than said first distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The product made in accordance with the method of claim 6.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said glass is borosilicate glass, said waveguide is made of doped silicate, and said substrate is silicon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 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 |