US5651085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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All fiber attenuator
Assignee: Kaptron Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-27
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Granted: 1997-07-22
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Expires: 2014-09-27
Abstract
Abstract An optical attenuator uses a segment of attenuating fiber interposed in the optical path. The attenuating fiber is produced by using a solution doping technique to introduce transition or rare earth elements into the fiber's core. The dopant reduces the transmission of the fiber. The degree of attenuation depends upon the material used as the dopant, the dopant level, and the length of the attenuation segment. In a specific embodiment, an optical attenuator is provided having a first and second signal carrying optical fibers and an attenuating fiber segment, each of which has a core, a cladding substantially coaxial with the core, and a substantially planar endface. The attenuating fiber segment is fusion spliced between the first and second signal carrying optical fibers. In a second embodiment a portion of the cladding of the attenuating fiber is chemically etched.
Inventors
- 👤 Shin-Lo Chia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/264; G02B6/266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An optical attenuator, comprising: first and second optical fibers, each of said first and second optical fibers including a core, a cladding substantially coaxial with the core, and a substantially planar endface; a third optical fiber interposed between said first and second optical fibers, said third optical fiber including a doped core, wherein said dopant is introduced by a solution doping technique, a cladding substantially coaxial with the doped core, and first and second substantially planar endfaces abutting said planar endfaces of said first and second fibers, respectively; and wherein said cladding of said third optical fiber is chemically etched, and wherein said chemically etched cladding is coated with a layer of epoxy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An optical attenuator, comprising: first and second optical fibers, each of said first and second optical fibers including a core, a cladding substantially coaxial with the core, and a substantially planar endface; a third optical fiber interposed between said first and second optical fibers, said third optical fiber including a doped core, wherein said dopant is introduced by a solution doping technique, a cladding substantially coaxial with the doped core, and first and second substantially planar endfaces abutting said planar endfaces of said first and second fibers, respectively; and wherein said cladding of said third optical fiber is chemically etched, and wherein said chemically etched cladding is coated with a layer of epoxy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
An optical attenuator, comprising: first and second optical fibers, each of said first and second optical fibers including a core, a cladding substantially coaxial with the core, and a substantially planar endface; a third optical fiber interposed between said first and second optical fibers, said third optical fiber including a solution doped core, a cladding substantially coaxial with the doped core, and first and second substantially planar endfaces abutting said planar endfaces of said first and second fibers, respectively; and wherein said dopant is chosen from the group consisting of transition metal elements and rare earth elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
An optical attenuator, comprising: first and second optical fibers, each of said first and second optical fibers including a core, a cladding substantially coaxial with the core, and a substantially planar endface; a third optical fiber interposed between said first and second optical fibers, said third optical fiber including a solution doped core, a cladding substantially coaxial with the doped core, and first and second substantially planar endfaces abutting said planar endfaces of said first and second fibers, respectively; and wherein said dopant is chosen from the group consisting of transition metal elements and rare earth elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The optical attenuator of claim 2, wherein said transition metal is cobalt.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of fabricating an optical attenuator, comprising the steps of: providing first, second, and third optical fibers, each fiber characterized by a core and a cladding coaxial with said core; solution doping said third optical fiber with a material from the group consisting of transition metals and rare earth elements; fusion splicing a first endface of said third optical fiber to an endface of said first optical fiber; and fusion splicing a second endface of said third optical fiber to an endface of said second optical fiber.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of fabricating an optical attenuator, comprising the steps of: providing first, second, and third optical fibers, each fiber characterized by a core and a cladding coaxial with said core; solution doping said third optical fiber with a material from the group consisting of transition metals and rare earth elements; fusion splicing a first endface of said third optical fiber to an endface of said first optical fiber; and fusion splicing a second endface of said third optical fiber to an endface of said second optical fiber.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of fabricating an optical attenuator, comprising the steps of: providing first, second, and third optical fibers, each fiber characterized by a core and a cladding coaxial with said core; solution doping said third optical fiber with a material from the group consisting of transition metals and rare earth elements; providing first and second cylindrical ferrules; fixedly disposing said first ferrule around said first optical fiber and a first portion of said third optical fiber, wherein an endface of said first optical fiber is in substantial optical contact with a first endface of said third optical fiber; fixedly disposing said second ferrule around said second optical fiber and a second portion of said third optical fiber, wherein an endface of said second optical fiber is in substantial optical contact with a second endface of said third optical fiber; providing a sleeve sized to accommodate said first and second ferrules; and inserting said first and second ferrules into the sleeve.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of fabricating an optical attenuator, comprising the steps of: providing first, second, and third optical fibers, each fiber characterized by a core and a cladding coaxial with said core; solution doping said third optical fiber with a material from the group consisting of transition metals and rare earth elements; providing first and second cylindrical ferrules; fixedly disposing said first ferrule around said first optical fiber and a first portion of said third optical fiber, wherein an endface of said first optical fiber is in substantial optical contact with a first endface of said third optical fiber; fixedly disposing said second ferrule around said second optical fiber and a second portion of said third optical fiber, wherein an endface of said second optical fiber is in substantial optical contact with a second endface of said third optical fiber; providing a sleeve sized to accommodate said first and second ferrules; and inserting said first and second ferrules into the sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said first and second ferrules are made of a material in the group consisting of alumina, zirconia, stainless steel, and ceramic.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of fabricating an optical attenuator, comprising the steps of: providing first and second optical fibers, each fiber characterized by a core and a cladding coaxial with said core; solution doping said second optical fiber with a material from the group consisting of transition metals and rare earth elements; chemical etching a portion of the cladding of said second optical fiber; and fusion splicing an endface of said first optical fiber to an endface of said second optical fiber.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of fabricating an optical attenuator, comprising the steps of: providing first and second optical fibers, each fiber characterized by a core and a cladding coaxial with said core; solution doping said second optical fiber with a material from the group consisting of transition metals and rare earth elements; chemical etching a portion of the cladding of said second optical fiber; and fusion splicing an endface of said first optical fiber to an endface of said second 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) | 2000-07-21 | 2001-01-20 | 2001-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-21 | 2005-01-20 | 2005-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-21 | 2009-01-20 | 2009-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |