US5402511A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming an improved tapered waveguide by selectively irradiating a viscous adhesive resin prepolymer with ultra-violet light
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1993-06-11
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Granted: 1995-03-28
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Expires: 2013-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A tapered waveguide for transmitting optical signals from a signal source to an optical fiber is fabricated by irradiating a layer of prepolymer resin on a substrate with a converging beam of ultraviolet light, whereby the irradiated resin polymerizes into a clear, hard polymer and the resin that has not been irradiated remains in its resinous state. The unpolymerized resin is removed with an organic solvent. The variation in width of the waveguide is achieved by varying the distance between the source of the converging beam of ultraviolet light, thereby varying the diameter of the spot that is being irradiated, while simultaneously moving the source of ultraviolet light parallel to the axis of the waveguide. Variation in thickness of the waveguide is achieved by sloping the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven A. Malone
- 👤 Arthur Paolella
- 👤 Dana J. Sturzebecher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:50
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/13; G02B6/122; G02B6/1228; G02B6/138; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/30; G02B6/305; G02B2006/12166; G02B2006/12195
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for fabricating tapered waveguides for interconnecting a laser source and an optical fiber comprising the steps of: applying a layer of a prepolymer resin to a substrate; directing a converging beam of ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source onto a surface of the layer of prepolymer resin, wherein a spot of the resin surface is irradiated; varying the diameter of the irradiated spot while, simultaneously, moving the ultraviolet light source parallel to the surface of the prepolymer resin layer wherein the resin thus irradiated polymerizes into a hard polymer waveguide having a tapered width tapering from the laser source to the optical fiber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for fabricating tapered waveguides for interconnecting a laser source and an optical fiber comprising the steps of: applying a layer of a prepolymer resin to a substrate; directing a converging beam of ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source onto a surface of the layer of prepolymer resin, wherein a spot of the resin surface is irradiated; varying the diameter of the irradiated spot while, simultaneously, moving the ultraviolet light source parallel to the surface of the prepolymer resin layer wherein the resin thus irradiated polymerizes into a hard polymer waveguide having a tapered width tapering from the laser source to the optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a predetermined area of the substrate is sloped, whereby a waveguide of varying thickness having a horizontal top surface and sloping underside is formed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the prepolymer resin is an epoxy diacrylate resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ultraviolet light has wavelengths ranging from 320 to 380 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the ultraviolet light source is an argon ion laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the ultraviolet light source is a helium-cadmium laser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the converging beam is formed by passing the light from the ultraviolet light source through a convex lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of gallium arsenide, silicon, and indium phosphide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate has on its surface a buffer layer of silicon dioxide, and wherein the prepolymer resin is applied to the buffer layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the application of the layer of prepolymer resin is assisted by centrifugal force in a centrifuge.
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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) | 1998-03-27 | 1998-09-26 | 1999-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-09-26 | 2003-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-27 | 2006-09-26 | 2007-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |