KR101911351B1 - Ellipsoidal reflector and optical signal transmission module having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Mode optical fiber and is formed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the end surface of the single mode optical fiber, and the light emitted from the light source through the single mode optical fiber is reflected at a predetermined angle to form a focus And an elliptical reflecting body surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an elliptical reflector and an optical signal transmission module including the reflector,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reflector and an optical signal transmission module including the reflector. More particularly, the present invention can be applied to an optical image system for obtaining optical image information on the surface and inside of a sample, And more particularly, to an elliptical reflector applicable to an optical interference system based on a laser light source and an optical signal transmission module including the same.

The optical signal transfer module for acquiring and imaging side optical signals is used for image acquisition and miniaturization of probes in optical imaging systems. In this regard, a conventional optical fiber-based optical signal transmission module is used to obtain side and internal images of tissues and blood vessels in the human body, which are difficult to be confirmed by an optical sensor based on an image sensor through an optical interference system.

The commercially available optical signal transmission module is fabricated by lensing the front end of the optical fiber, using a micro prism, a reflective mirror, or a GRIN (grade index) lens. The optical signal can be projected 90 degrees to the side and inside of the sample .

In particular, it is important to make a reflection surface so as to have an angle at which light can be totally reflected in order to obtain an optical signal on the side, so that focus can be made at a specific distance. In addition, a complex manufacturing process is simplified to develop a technology capable of cost reduction and mass production It is necessary.

Single Mode When a front end of an optical fiber is made into a lens, or a green lens or a ball lens is bonded, a process of polishing a green lens and a ball lens at a certain angle is required in order to form a reflecting surface.

The process of fixing a very small lens to a polishing jig and grinding it at a specific angle has a problem that the yield and reproducibility are very low and it is difficult to mass-produce, and a complicated process of finely bonding a green lens of a certain length to a single mode optical fiber Is required.

In addition, when a micro prism or a reflecting mirror is used in the front end of a single mode optical fiber, a bulky optical element having a relatively large volume is used, which leads to an increase in the size of the optical module.

Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0020026 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0017221

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for acquiring a stable optical signal from an optical signal obtained by rotating an entire optical fiber probe through 360 rotation, To an elliptical reflector capable of acquiring a 360 degree optical signal with a wavelength of < RTI ID = 0.0 >

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical signal transmission module including the ellipsoidal reflector.

Mode optical fiber according to an embodiment for realizing the object of the present invention. The single mode optical fiber is formed by inclining at a predetermined angle with respect to the end surface of the single mode optical fiber, And reflects the light beams emitted from the light sources through a predetermined angle to form a focal point.

In one embodiment, the reflective surface is formed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the end surface of the single mode optical fiber, and the light emitted through the single mode optical fiber can be reflected at an angle of 90 degrees.

In one embodiment, the angle at which the light that is emitted through the single mode optical fiber is reflected can be changed according to the angle formed by the reflective surface with respect to the end surface of the single mode optical fiber.

In one embodiment, the elliptical reflector may be fabricated by injection molding, die casting, or machining.

In one embodiment, the elliptical reflector may rotate 360 degrees about the rotation axis, with the direction of incidence of the light emitted from the light source through the single mode optical fiber in the direction of the rotation axis.

In one embodiment, one end of the elliptical reflector facing the single mode optical fiber may include a planar portion having a chamfered end portion and an inclined portion extending from the planar portion and sloping with respect to the extending direction of the single mode optical fiber. have.

In one embodiment, the planar portion may extend parallel to an end surface of the single mode optical fiber.

In one embodiment,

(a,b=장축 또는 단축) 식 (1)

(a, b = long axis or short axis) Equation (1)

The shape can be modified by changing a or b in the above formula (1).

Mode optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal generated from a light source according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing another object of the present invention and a single mode optical fiber extending parallel to the single mode optical fiber at a predetermined distance, And an elliptical reflector including an elliptical reflector formed to incline at a predetermined angle with respect to the light source and reflect the light emitted from the light source through the single mode optical fiber at a predetermined angle to form a focus.

The elliptical reflector and the optical signal transmission module including the elliptic reflector of the present invention can be mass-produced through the injection mold, thereby saving cost.

Therefore, a complicated process such as fusion of an optical fiber and formation of a ball lens is not required, so that it can be manufactured with a simpler structure than an existing optical signal transmission module, and the manufacturing process efficiency can be increased.

Also, the 360 ° rotation of the elliptical reflector can acquire a stable optical signal than the optical signal obtained by rotating the entire optical fiber probe, thereby obtaining a 360 ° optical signal having excellent optical coupling characteristics to the sample sample.

의 장축(a 또는 b)와 단축(a 또는 b)를 변경하여, 타원면의 형상 변형이 가능한 구조이며, 타원면의 형상 변형을 통해 다양한 초점거리에서의 광 영상 획득 및 조영이 가능하다.In addition, the elliptical reflector has an elliptic equation

(A or b) and a short axis (a or b) of the ellipsoidal shape of the ellipsoidal shape, thereby enabling optical image acquisition and imaging at various focal lengths through deforming the shape of the ellipsoid.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an elliptical reflector and a single mode optical fiber according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the elliptical reflector of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A '.
3 is a schematic view showing an elliptical reflector in which the focal length is shortened by deforming the shape of the reflecting body surface in Fig.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an elliptical reflector whose focal length is shortened by deforming the shape of the reflecting body surface of Fig. 3; Fig.
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an elliptical reflector having a long focal length due to the shape deformation of the reflector surface of Fig. 1. Fig.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an elliptical reflector whose focal length is shortened by deforming the shape of the reflecting body surface of Fig. 5;

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing. The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, the term "comprises" or "comprising ", etc. is intended to specify that there is a stated feature, figure, step, operation, component, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art and are to be interpreted as either ideal or overly formal in the sense of the present application Do not.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an elliptical reflector and a single mode optical fiber according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the elliptical reflector of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A '.

Hereinafter, the elliptical reflector according to the present embodiment and the optical signal transmission module including the same will be described at the same time.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical signal transmission module 10 according to the present embodiment includes a single mode optical fiber 100 and an elliptical reflector 200.

The single mode optical fiber 100 is an optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal from a light source to the elliptical reflector 200, and is formed in a cylindrical shape.

The single mode optical fiber 100 may include a core provided in a radial direction, a cladding surrounding the core, and a cladding surrounding the cladding.

That is, the single mode optical fiber 100 may be formed in the order of core, cladding, and covering.

In the single mode optical fiber 100, light is reflected due to a difference in refractive index between the core and the cladding, while the core is a region through which light passes. Go ahead.

The cladding may serve to protect the core and the cladding.

By selectively adding germanium or fluorine to the core and the cladding of the single mode optical fiber 100, a refractive index change in the radial direction of the optical fiber can be generated.

The elliptical reflector 200 is generally cylindrical in shape and extends parallel to the single mode optical fiber 100 at a predetermined distance. One end facing the single mode optical fiber 100 has a circular cross-sectional shape.

The first end includes a chamfered plane portion 210 and an inclined portion 220 that is obliquely cut with respect to the extending direction of the single mode optical fiber extending from the plane portion 210.

Since the planar portion 210 is parallel to the end surface of the single mode optical fiber 100 and is spaced apart by a specific distance, the planar portion 210 can be used for measuring the distance between the single mode optical fiber 100 and the elliptical reflector 200 have.

That is, a distance between the single mode optical fiber 100 and the ellipsoidal reflector 200 can be calculated by measuring a distance between the one end of the single mode optical fiber 100 and the planar portion 210, The distance between the mode optical fiber 100 and the elliptical reflector 200 can be precisely adjusted.

The reflection surface 230 is formed in the inclined portion 210 so as to condense the light emitted through the single mode optical fiber 100, Mode optical fiber 100 in the direction of extension of the single mode optical fiber 100.

The reflection surface 230 is formed by cutting so as to have an angle at which light can be reflected.

Specifically, the reflector 230 may be cut at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the single mode optical fiber 100. [

The reflector surface 230 may reflect light traveling from the light source through the single mode optical fiber 100 to a side close to a right angle so that side reflection is possible.

That is, the reflector surface 230 reflects light emitted from the light source through the single mode optical fiber 100 at an angle of 90 degrees, and the light may be condensed to form a focus F1.

Mode optical fiber 100 according to an angle (inclination angle) formed by the reflector surface 230 with respect to the end surface of the single mode optical fiber 100, Emission angle) may be changed.

The reflector surface 230 may be formed through a process including microfabrication using a laser, mechanical polishing or mechanical cutting, chemical etching, and the like.

The elliptical reflector 200 may be manufactured by injection molding, die casting, or machining.

The elliptical reflector 200 is made of a synthetic resin material. The elliptical reflector 200 may be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyphthalamide (PPA), polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCT), and epoxy molding compound And may be made of any one of synthetic resin materials.

For reference, the polyphthalamide (PPA) is a kind of reinforced plastic and is a crystalline synthetic resin generally called aromatic nylon. Since it has an aromatic structure, PPA is excellent in high strength, high rigidity, high heat resistance, low water absorption, dimensional stability It has been widely used in electric and electronic fields, automobile fields, industrial devices, and aircraft fields.

The polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT) is a super engineering plastic and has recently been attracting attention as a TV reflector (reflector) for TV and illumination because of excellent heat resistance, heat stability, reflectance and light resistance.

The above-mentioned epoxy molding compound (EMC) is a composite material using 10 kinds of raw materials such as silica, epoxy resin, phenol resin, carbon black and flame retardant.

Meanwhile, the elliptical reflector 200 according to the present embodiment may rotate 360 degrees around the rotation axis, with the incidence direction of the light emitted from the light source through the single mode optical fiber 100 as the rotation axis direction have.

At this time, the elliptical reflector 200 may include a motor driving unit (not shown) to rotate in the circumferential direction. When the ellipsoidal reflector 200 rotates by the motor driving unit, the light that has passed through the single mode optical fiber 100 and travels to the reflector 230 of the ellipsoidal reflector 200 rotates while maintaining the incident angle do.

In the elliptical reflector 300 according to the present embodiment, the elliptical reflector 230 may be deformed in shape by changing the length of the axis.

The shape of the reflecting body surface 230 is applied to the elliptic equation, the following equation (1).

식 (1)

Equation (1)

At this time, the shape of the reflector 230 can be changed by changing a (long axis or short axis) or b (long axis or short axis), so that optical signals can be acquired and displayed at various positions.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an elliptical reflector whose focal length is shortened by deforming the shape of the reflector surface of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an elliptical reflector whose focal length is shortened by deforming the reflector surface of FIG. to be. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an elliptical reflector having a long focal length by deforming the shape of the reflector of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an elliptical reflector having a reduced focal distance by deforming the reflector of FIG. 5 .

The elliptical reflector according to the present embodiments is substantially the same as the elliptical reflector 200 described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 except that the length of the axis of the reflector 230 is changed, so that the same reference numerals Duplicate description is omitted.

3 to 6, the light irradiated from the light source is regularly reflected by the reflector surface 230 and is focused on the focuses F2 and F3, and the elliptical reflectors 201 and 202 focus the focuses F2, F3 may be shorter or longer than the distance from the elliptical reflector 200 to the focus F1.

The elliptical reflector according to the present embodiment can be used to develop a compact optical signal transmission module having a simpler structure than the existing optical signal transmission module and having an increased process efficiency.

In addition, the elliptical reflector can be mass-produced through an injection mold without complicated processes such as fusing between optical fibers and formation of a ball lens, thereby reducing costs.

Furthermore, 360 ° rotation of the elliptical reflector allows 360 ° optical signal with excellent optical coupling characteristics to the sample sample to be obtained.

delete

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. It can be understood that it is possible.

10: Optical signal transmission module 100: Single mode optical fiber
200: oval reflector 210: plane portion
220: inclined portion 230: reflective body surface

Claims (9)

A plurality of optical fibers extending in parallel to each other at a predetermined distance from the single mode optical fiber,
Mode optical fiber is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an end surface of the single mode optical fiber, and an elliptical reflector surface that reflects light emitted from the light source through the single mode optical fiber at a predetermined angle and is condensed to form a focus,
Mode optical fiber; rotating the incident direction of the light emitted from the light source through the single-mode optical fiber by 360 degrees on the rotation axis;
Mode fiber includes a planar portion having a chamfered end portion and an inclined portion extending from the planar portion and being sloped with respect to an extending direction of the single mode optical fiber to form the reflective object surface,
Wherein the reflection surface has a circular or elliptical cut surface shape according to the cut,
Wherein the planar portion extends parallel to an end surface of the single mode optical fiber, a distance between one end of the single mode optical fiber and the planar portion is measured,
The reflector surface formed according to the cut-

(a, b = long axis or short axis) Equation (1)
In the above formula (1), shape modification is possible by changing a or b,
Wherein a distance of a focal point formed by condensing the light emitted through the single mode optical fiber by the shape modification of the reflector surface is changed. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the reflector is formed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to an end surface of the single mode optical fiber, and the lights emitted through the single mode optical fiber are reflected at an angle of 90 degrees. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein an angle at which light reflected through the single mode optical fiber is reflected is changed according to an angle formed by the reflection surface of the single mode optical fiber with respect to an end surface of the single mode optical fiber. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the elliptical reflector is fabricated by injection molding or die casting. delete delete delete delete A single mode optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal generated from a light source; And
A plurality of optical fibers extending in parallel to each other at a predetermined distance from the single mode optical fiber,
Mode optical fiber is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an end surface of the single mode optical fiber, and an elliptical reflector surface that reflects light emitted from the light source through the single mode optical fiber at a predetermined angle and is condensed to form a focus,
Mode optical fiber; rotating the incident direction of the light emitted from the light source through the single-mode optical fiber by 360 degrees on the rotation axis;
Mode fiber includes a planar portion having a chamfered end portion and an inclined portion extending from the planar portion and being sloped with respect to an extending direction of the single mode optical fiber to form the reflective object surface,
Wherein the reflection surface has a circular or elliptical cut surface shape according to the cut,
Wherein the planar portion extends parallel to an end surface of the single mode optical fiber, a distance between one end of the single mode optical fiber and the planar portion is measured,
The reflector surface formed according to the cut-

(a, b = long axis or short axis) Equation (1)
In the above formula (1), shape modification is possible by changing a or b,
Wherein the focal distance formed by condensing the light emitted through the single mode optical fiber by the shape modification of the reflector surface is changed.

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