US5548673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical coupling device
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1995-04-24
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Granted: 1996-08-20
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Expires: 2015-04-24
Abstract
Abstract In an optical coupling device for optically coupling an optical fiber to an optical waveguide formed on a crystalline substrate, the optical fiber is placed in a V-shaped groove formed on the substrate by anisotropic etching. The V-shaped groove is not linearly continuous, but intermittent to intermittently support the optical fiber. The intermittence of the V-shaped groove decreases undesired width expansion of the V-shaped groove. For this structure, a light axis alignment between the optical fiber and the optical waveguide is enhanced.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoki Kitamura
- 👤 Hiroshi Nishimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An optical coupling device, comprising: a crystalline substrate having a top plane; an optical waveguide formed on said top plane; a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed on said crystalline substrate, said V-shaped grooves being formed by anisotropic etching of said crystalline substrate, each of said V-shaped grooves having the same size and configuration with each other and having two inclined planes; a plurality of second grooves formed on said crystalline substrate, each of said second grooves having two inclined planes; each of said V-shape grooves being formed between two adjacent second grooves; and an optical fiber placed in said V-shaped grooves, a light axis of said optical fiber being aligned with a light axis of said optical waveguide to provide an optical coupling between said optical waveguide and said optical fiber; wherein said optical fiber contact with said inclined planes of said V-shape grooves, and not contacted with said inclined planes of second grooves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An optical coupling device, comprising: a crystalline substrate having a top plane; an optical waveguide formed on said top plane; a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed on said crystalline substrate, said V-shaped grooves being formed by anisotropic etching of said crystalline substrate, each of said V-shaped grooves having the same size and configuration with each other and having two inclined planes; a plurality of second grooves formed on said crystalline substrate, each of said second grooves having two inclined planes; each of said V-shape grooves being formed between two adjacent second grooves; and an optical fiber placed in said V-shaped grooves, a light axis of said optical fiber being aligned with a light axis of said optical waveguide to provide an optical coupling between said optical waveguide and said optical fiber; wherein said optical fiber contact with said inclined planes of said V-shape grooves, and not contacted with said inclined planes of second grooves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An optical coupling device, according to claim 1, wherein: said optical waveguide is formed on said crystalline substrate by interposing a mask therebetween, said mask being a portion of a mask for etching said crystalline substrate to provide said V-shaped groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical coupling device, according to claim 1, wherein a width of at least one of said second grooves is larger than a width of one of said V-shaped grooves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical coupling device, according to claim 3, wherein: a depth of at least one of said second grooves is the same with a depth of one of said V-shaped grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical coupling device, according to claim 1, wherein: said inclined planes are portions of inclined side walls of projections, said projections being formed at intervals by anisotropic etching of said crystalline substrate.
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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) | 1999-08-20 | 2000-02-19 | 2000-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-20 | 2004-02-19 | 2004-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-20 | 2008-02-19 | 2008-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |