GB2082342A - Optical fibre connector manufacture - Google Patents

Optical fibre connector manufacture Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2082342A
GB2082342A GB8026604A GB8026604A GB2082342A GB 2082342 A GB2082342 A GB 2082342A GB 8026604 A GB8026604 A GB 8026604A GB 8026604 A GB8026604 A GB 8026604A GB 2082342 A GB2082342 A GB 2082342A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fibre
alignment
expander
light
cell
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8026604A
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GB2082342B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
STC PLC
Original Assignee
Standard Telephone and Cables PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Standard Telephone and Cables PLC filed Critical Standard Telephone and Cables PLC
Priority to GB8026604A priority Critical patent/GB2082342B/en
Publication of GB2082342A publication Critical patent/GB2082342A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2082342B publication Critical patent/GB2082342B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
    • G02B6/3803—Adjustment or alignment devices for alignment prior to splicing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
    • G01B11/26—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
    • G01B11/27—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes for testing the alignment of axes
    • G01B11/272—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes for testing the alignment of axes using photoelectric detection means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/32—Optical coupling means having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

Optical fibre connectors often use beam expanders at the ends of the fibres to be coupled since this gives a larger cross-section light beam to be conveyed from one fibre end to the other. Hence losses in the connector are minimised. To adjust the alignment of the fibre end (1) with respect to its lens expander (2), a light beam therefrom passes to a quadrant photo-cell (4). The latter's output indicates any imbalance in the light falling on the photo-cell (4), and this imbalance, via a control circuit (5) control motorised slides (6) which adjust the fibre to bring it into alignment with the lens (2). The light which reaches the quadrant photo-cell (4) does so via a beam splitter (3). Some of the light reaching the beam splitter (3) passes through it to a Fresnel bi-prism (7) with a close-up lens (8) over half its face, from which that light passes on to a TV camera (9). This gives two images which are observed and the results of this observation are used to adjust the angular orientation of the fibre end (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Optical fibre connector manufacture This invention relates to optical fibre connectors of the expanded beam type, and to the adjustment of the relative alignment of the fibre and the beam expander.
A connector of the above type includes a ferrule within which the fibre is terminated with its end closely adjacent to the beam expander, which is some form of lens. When two connector using such terminations are mated the two expanders are relatively close to each other, and, due to their relatively large areas, give good coupling efficiency. It is necessary for the fibre end to be accurately aligned with the axis of the beam from the expander, and it is usual to adjust this alignment by movement of the fibre in situ. Then a suitable adhesive material, such as an epoxy, is fed into the ferrule and cured to secure the fibre end in the desired position.
One known way to do this adjustment uses a prealigned target on a screen which is located about a meter from the ferrule and normal to the axis of the beam. The fibre end is fitted into the ferrule with light fed into the other end of the fibre, the light producing an image on the screen. The relative position of the fibre end and the beam expander lens are then adjusted until the image on the screen is correctly positioned with respect to the target, the image being correctly positioned when the fibre end is so placed as to give a correctly aligned beam.
An object of the present invention is to provide a beam alignment method which gives more accurate alignment than do the various known methods, and which is easier to use than hithertoused methods.
According to the invention there is provided a method of adjusting the alignment of an optical fibre with a beam expander located near the end of the fibre, in which light transmitted from the fibre end via the beam expander issues from the beam expander as a beam whose axis should be parallel to the axis of the fibre and the expander, in which light from the expander falls on a quadrant, photo-cell, in which if the fibre and the expander are correctly aligned the beam of light falling on the quadrant photo-cell gives a balanced output, in which an inaccuracy of beam alignment produces an output signal indicative of that inbalance, which output signal is applied via control circuitry to mechanical means for adjusting the fibre alignment, and in which said adjustment is effected until the quadrant photo-cell gives a balanced output, indicating that the fibre is correctly aligned.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying highly schematic drawing showing an expanded beam termination rig.
In the drawing, we show a fibre end 1 located behind a lens 2, which forms the beam expander, the ferrule within which they are mounted not being shown. When the fibre is adjusted it is pivotted about its front end, or a part adjacent thereto until it is correctly positioned, as will be seen later.
After the light leaves the lens 2, which it does as a substantially parallel beam it encounters a beam splitter 3 formed by a mirror with its front face partially reflective. Part of the light which falls on this mirror is reflected substantially at right angles on to a quadrant photo-cell 4. This latter consists of a set of four similar photo-cells, and if the fibre is accurately aligned the outputs of all of the photo-cells is the same. The outputs of the photo-cells are applied to a control circuit 5, which produces analogue signals representative of the degree of inbalance, if any. These analogue signals are buffered, and fed to a comparator to gate forward or reverse pulses to one or more stepper motors which control motorised slides.These slides are represented by the arms of the cross labelled X and Y indicated at 6, and in response to the pulses thus produced, the alignment of the fibre end, is adjusted until the responses of the quadrant photo-cell 4 indicate that the positional alignment is correct.
The above arrangement provides a field adjustment of the fibre end. If this is considered to give adequate accuracy, the portion of the apparatus to the right of the mirror is not needed.
We now have to consider near field adjustment as well as far field adjustment.
The beam which leaves the beam splitter 3 next encounters a Fresnel bi-prism 7, with a close-up lens 8 in front of half of the bi-prism. This arrangement produces two images at a television camera 9, there being a near field image 10 and a far field image 1 The far field image is used as a check on the automatic alignment of the position of the fibre relative to the focus of the lens, while the other image is used for angular adjustment.
The angular adjustment of the fibre is arranged to take place about the front surface of the fibre as this enables a relatively large movement of the fibre within its ferrule, which facilitates the adjustment. When using the self-centering arrangement with the quadrant photo-cell, when the angular alignment is adjusted, the outputs of the photo-cell enable the x and y movements due to the motorised slides to compensate for changes in fibre position.
1. A method of adjusting the alignment of an optical fibre with a beam expander located near the end of the fibre, in which light transmitted from the fibre end via the beam expander issues from the beam expander as a beam whose axis should be parallel to the axis of the fibre and the expander, in which the light from the expander falls on a quadrant photo-cell, in which if the fibre and the expander are correctly aligned the beam of light falling on the quadrant photo-cell gives a balanced output, in which an inaccuracy of beam alignment produces an output signal indicative of that inbalance, which output signal is applied via control circuitry to mechanical means for adjusting
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Optical fibre connector manufacture This invention relates to optical fibre connectors of the expanded beam type, and to the adjustment of the relative alignment of the fibre and the beam expander. A connector of the above type includes a ferrule within which the fibre is terminated with its end closely adjacent to the beam expander, which is some form of lens. When two connector using such terminations are mated the two expanders are relatively close to each other, and, due to their relatively large areas, give good coupling efficiency. It is necessary for the fibre end to be accurately aligned with the axis of the beam from the expander, and it is usual to adjust this alignment by movement of the fibre in situ. Then a suitable adhesive material, such as an epoxy, is fed into the ferrule and cured to secure the fibre end in the desired position. One known way to do this adjustment uses a prealigned target on a screen which is located about a meter from the ferrule and normal to the axis of the beam. The fibre end is fitted into the ferrule with light fed into the other end of the fibre, the light producing an image on the screen. The relative position of the fibre end and the beam expander lens are then adjusted until the image on the screen is correctly positioned with respect to the target, the image being correctly positioned when the fibre end is so placed as to give a correctly aligned beam. An object of the present invention is to provide a beam alignment method which gives more accurate alignment than do the various known methods, and which is easier to use than hithertoused methods. According to the invention there is provided a method of adjusting the alignment of an optical fibre with a beam expander located near the end of the fibre, in which light transmitted from the fibre end via the beam expander issues from the beam expander as a beam whose axis should be parallel to the axis of the fibre and the expander, in which light from the expander falls on a quadrant, photo-cell, in which if the fibre and the expander are correctly aligned the beam of light falling on the quadrant photo-cell gives a balanced output, in which an inaccuracy of beam alignment produces an output signal indicative of that inbalance, which output signal is applied via control circuitry to mechanical means for adjusting the fibre alignment, and in which said adjustment is effected until the quadrant photo-cell gives a balanced output, indicating that the fibre is correctly aligned. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying highly schematic drawing showing an expanded beam termination rig. In the drawing, we show a fibre end 1 located behind a lens 2, which forms the beam expander, the ferrule within which they are mounted not being shown. When the fibre is adjusted it is pivotted about its front end, or a part adjacent thereto until it is correctly positioned, as will be seen later. After the light leaves the lens 2, which it does as a substantially parallel beam it encounters a beam splitter 3 formed by a mirror with its front face partially reflective. Part of the light which falls on this mirror is reflected substantially at right angles on to a quadrant photo-cell 4. This latter consists of a set of four similar photo-cells, and if the fibre is accurately aligned the outputs of all of the photo-cells is the same. The outputs of the photo-cells are applied to a control circuit 5, which produces analogue signals representative of the degree of inbalance, if any. These analogue signals are buffered, and fed to a comparator to gate forward or reverse pulses to one or more stepper motors which control motorised slides.These slides are represented by the arms of the cross labelled X and Y indicated at 6, and in response to the pulses thus produced, the alignment of the fibre end, is adjusted until the responses of the quadrant photo-cell 4 indicate that the positional alignment is correct. The above arrangement provides a field adjustment of the fibre end. If this is considered to give adequate accuracy, the portion of the apparatus to the right of the mirror is not needed. We now have to consider near field adjustment as well as far field adjustment. The beam which leaves the beam splitter 3 next encounters a Fresnel bi-prism 7, with a close-up lens 8 in front of half of the bi-prism. This arrangement produces two images at a television camera 9, there being a near field image 10 and a far field image 1 The far field image is used as a check on the automatic alignment of the position of the fibre relative to the focus of the lens, while the other image is used for angular adjustment. The angular adjustment of the fibre is arranged to take place about the front surface of the fibre as this enables a relatively large movement of the fibre within its ferrule, which facilitates the adjustment. When using the self-centering arrangement with the quadrant photo-cell, when the angular alignment is adjusted, the outputs of the photo-cell enable the x and y movements due to the motorised slides to compensate for changes in fibre position. CLAIMS
1. A method of adjusting the alignment of an optical fibre with a beam expander located near the end of the fibre, in which light transmitted from the fibre end via the beam expander issues from the beam expander as a beam whose axis should be parallel to the axis of the fibre and the expander, in which the light from the expander falls on a quadrant photo-cell, in which if the fibre and the expander are correctly aligned the beam of light falling on the quadrant photo-cell gives a balanced output, in which an inaccuracy of beam alignment produces an output signal indicative of that inbalance, which output signal is applied via control circuitry to mechanical means for adjusting the fibre alignment, and in which said adjustment is effected until the quadrant photo-cell gives a balanced output, indicating that the fibre is correctly aligned.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, and in which a beam splitter reflects part of the incident light onto the quadrant photo-cell, the rest of the beam which passes through the beam splitter passing to further checking means.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, in which the beam splitter is a partially reflective mirror.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which said further checking means is a television camera to which the beam passes via a Fresnel biprism with a close-up lens mounted on half its face, in which the images thus produced at the camera are viewed and the result of the viewing used to make further adjustments to the fibre end alignment and positioning.
5. A method of adjusting the alignment of an optical fibre with a beam expander, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
6. Apparatus for implementing the method of any one of claims 1,2, 3 and 4.
GB8026604A 1980-08-14 1980-08-14 Optical fibre connector manufacture Expired GB2082342B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8026604A GB2082342B (en) 1980-08-14 1980-08-14 Optical fibre connector manufacture

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8026604A GB2082342B (en) 1980-08-14 1980-08-14 Optical fibre connector manufacture

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2082342A true GB2082342A (en) 1982-03-03
GB2082342B GB2082342B (en) 1984-01-04

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3340426C1 (en) * 1983-11-09 1985-03-28 Wandel & Goltermann Gmbh & Co, 7412 Eningen Method and apparatus for adjusting an optical waveguide (LW) at the interface of an optical waveguide test set
EP0138630A1 (en) * 1983-06-14 1985-04-24 SAT (Société Anonyme de Télécommunications),Société Anonyme Apparatus for joining an optical fibre and a photodetector, and method of positioning these
EP0207552A1 (en) * 1985-06-21 1987-01-07 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Method and device for manufacturing a connector part for an optical connector
EP0324241A2 (en) * 1988-01-08 1989-07-19 The Marconi Company Limited Light alignment detection device
EP0380179A1 (en) * 1989-01-26 1990-08-01 Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH Method and device for the alignment of an optical fiber relative to a lens of a plug connector
US5045678A (en) * 1988-10-29 1991-09-03 U.S. Philips Corp. Method of and arrangement for determining the position of the optical axis of an optical waveguide
DE4009160A1 (en) * 1990-03-22 1991-09-26 Wandel & Goltermann Optical measurement arrangement for light conductor - uses measurement device having internal and external light conductors of distinctly different field magnitudes

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0138630A1 (en) * 1983-06-14 1985-04-24 SAT (Société Anonyme de Télécommunications),Société Anonyme Apparatus for joining an optical fibre and a photodetector, and method of positioning these
DE3340426C1 (en) * 1983-11-09 1985-03-28 Wandel & Goltermann Gmbh & Co, 7412 Eningen Method and apparatus for adjusting an optical waveguide (LW) at the interface of an optical waveguide test set
EP0207552A1 (en) * 1985-06-21 1987-01-07 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Method and device for manufacturing a connector part for an optical connector
EP0324241A2 (en) * 1988-01-08 1989-07-19 The Marconi Company Limited Light alignment detection device
GB2214292A (en) * 1988-01-08 1989-08-31 Marconi Co Ltd Light alignment detection device
EP0324241A3 (en) * 1988-01-08 1990-02-07 The Marconi Company Limited Light alignment detection device
GB2214292B (en) * 1988-01-08 1991-09-25 Marconi Co Ltd Light alignment detection device
US5045678A (en) * 1988-10-29 1991-09-03 U.S. Philips Corp. Method of and arrangement for determining the position of the optical axis of an optical waveguide
EP0380179A1 (en) * 1989-01-26 1990-08-01 Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH Method and device for the alignment of an optical fiber relative to a lens of a plug connector
US4989940A (en) * 1989-01-26 1991-02-05 U.S. Philips Corp. Method of and device for aligning an optical fiber with respect to the lens of a connector
DE4009160A1 (en) * 1990-03-22 1991-09-26 Wandel & Goltermann Optical measurement arrangement for light conductor - uses measurement device having internal and external light conductors of distinctly different field magnitudes

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Publication number Publication date
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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19920814