US5384874A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical fiber rod lens device and method of making same
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1993-06-23
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2013-06-23
Abstract
Abstract In an optical fiber functional device for processing a light beam between optical fibers, single-mode optical fibers for processing the light beam are concentrically connected at the mutually opposed ends to convergence-type rod lenses each having a prescribed length and made of a graded-index optical fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Hirai
- 👤 Toshiaki Kakii
- 👤 Shinji Ishikawa
- 👤 Hiroo Kanamori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/27; G02B6/2746; G02B3/00; G02B3/0087; G02B6/32; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/09; G02F1/095; G02F1/0955
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An optical fiber functional device for processing a light beam between optical fibers, comprising: a first single-mode optical fiber concentrically connected to a first convergence-type rod lens made of a graded-index optical fiber; and a second single-mode optical fiber concentrically connected to a second convergence-type rod lens made of a graded-index optical fiber, said first convergence-type rod lens being confronted with said second convergence-type rod lens; wherein the difference between specific refractivities of a center and a periphery of each of said first and second graded-index optical fibers is between 0.5%, inclusive, and 1.5%.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical fiber functional device for processing a light beam between optical fibers, comprising: a first single-mode optical fiber concentrically connected to a first convergence-type rod lens made of a graded-index optical fiber; and a second single-mode optical fiber concentrically connected to a second convergence-type rod lens made of a graded-index optical fiber, said first convergence-type rod lens being confronted with said second convergence-type rod lens; wherein the difference between specific refractivities of a center and a periphery of each of said first and second graded-index optical fibers is between 0.5%, inclusive, and 1.5%.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An optical fiber functional device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distribution of a refractive index of each of said first and second graded-index optical fibers is expressed by a function of 1.7-th to 2.5-th power of a radius of said respective graded-index optical fibers.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber functional device, comprising the steps of: connecting concentrically a single-mode optical fiber for processing a light beam, through melting, to a graded-index optical fiber having a diameter between than that of said single-mode optical fiber and two times that of said single-mode optical fiber; cutting off said graded-index optical fiber to a prescribed length including a finishing allowance; holding said single-mode optical fiber and said graded-index optical fiber concentrically connected to each other by a ferrule which is made of a transparent glass; and polishing optically a cut-off end of said graded-index optical fiber held by said ferrule so that said graded-index optical fiber has a prescribed length.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber functional device, comprising the steps of: connecting concentrically a single-mode optical fiber for processing a light beam, through melting, to a graded-index optical fiber having a diameter between than that of said single-mode optical fiber and two times that of said single-mode optical fiber; cutting off said graded-index optical fiber to a prescribed length including a finishing allowance; holding said single-mode optical fiber and said graded-index optical fiber concentrically connected to each other by a ferrule which is made of a transparent glass; and polishing optically a cut-off end of said graded-index optical fiber held by said ferrule so that said graded-index optical fiber has a prescribed length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical fiber functional device, comprising: a multimode graded-index optical fiber with a prescribed length; two single-mode optical fibers concentrically secured to both ends of said graded-index optical fiber by one of melting and connector coupling; and a space for collimation formed by removing an intermediate portion of said multimode graded-index optical fiber by cutoff, wherein said space is adapted to receive an optical element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical fiber functional device, comprising: a multimode graded-index optical fiber with a prescribed length; two single-mode optical fibers concentrically secured to both ends of said graded-index optical fiber by one of melting and connector coupling; and a space for collimation formed by removing an intermediate portion of said multimode graded-index optical fiber by cutoff, wherein said space is adapted to receive an optical element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An optical fiber functional device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said prescribed length is equal to the sum of two times of the length of a lens made of said cut-off graded-index optical fiber and the length of said space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An optical fiber functional device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said graded-index optical fibers are put in V-grooves of bases so that said graded-index optical fibers are aligned to each other with spacers through the use of alignment pins.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical fiber functional device comprising: a single-mode optical fiber; and a convergence-type rod lens made of a multimode graded-index optical fiber and concentrically connected to an end of said single-mode fiber; wherein a diameter of said graded-index optical fiber is between that of said single-mode optical fiber, inclusive, and two times that of said single-mode optical fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical fiber functional device comprising: a single-mode optical fiber; and a convergence-type rod lens made of a multimode graded-index optical fiber and concentrically connected to an end of said single-mode fiber; wherein a diameter of said graded-index optical fiber is between that of said single-mode optical fiber, inclusive, and two times that of said single-mode optical fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber functional device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of cleaning a cut-off end of said graded-index optical fiber by electric discharging heating.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber functional device, comprising the steps of: disposing a multimode graded-index optical fiber in a V-groove of a base formed from a material selected from the group of silicon and glass; cutting said graded-index optical fiber to a prescribed length; polishing both end of said graded-index optical fiber to form a graded-index fiber lens; and fixing a single-mode optical fiber so that a center of said single-mode optical fiber is coincident with a center of said graded-index optical fiber.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber functional device, comprising the steps of: disposing a multimode graded-index optical fiber in a V-groove of a base formed from a material selected from the group of silicon and glass; cutting said graded-index optical fiber to a prescribed length; polishing both end of said graded-index optical fiber to form a graded-index fiber lens; and fixing a single-mode optical fiber so that a center of said single-mode optical fiber is coincident with a center of said graded-index 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) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |