WO2001011410A1 - Geometrie de composant a fibres optiques reflechissante a lentille unique - Google Patents

Geometrie de composant a fibres optiques reflechissante a lentille unique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001011410A1
WO2001011410A1 PCT/US2000/021665 US0021665W WO0111410A1 WO 2001011410 A1 WO2001011410 A1 WO 2001011410A1 US 0021665 W US0021665 W US 0021665W WO 0111410 A1 WO0111410 A1 WO 0111410A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lens
optical fiber
input
fiber
output
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/021665
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John I. Thackara
Asif A. Godil
David M. Bloom
Original Assignee
Lightconnect, Inc.
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 Lightconnect, Inc. filed Critical Lightconnect, Inc.
Priority to AU75714/00A priority Critical patent/AU7571400A/en
Publication of WO2001011410A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001011410A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
    • G02B26/08—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
    • G02B26/0808—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light by means of one or more diffracting elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
    • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
    • H01S5/005—Optical components external to the laser cavity, specially adapted therefor, e.g. for homogenisation or merging of the beams or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to fiber optic components. More particularly, the present invention relates to a geometry for single lens reflective fiber optic components.
  • What is needed is a fiber optic component geometry with a reduced number of optical components. What is needed is a fiber optic component geometry which makes it easier and less expensive to build fiber optic components. What is needed is a fiber optic component geometry which allows the manufacture of more compact fiber optic components.
  • the present invention is directed towards a fiber optic component.
  • the fiber optic component comprises an input optical fiber capable of carrying an optical beam, the input optical fiber having a input optical fiber longitudinal axis and an input optical fiber endface; a lens optically coupled to the input optical fiber, the lens capable of collimating the optical beam from the input optical fiber, the lens having an optical axis and an input focal plane and an output focal plane; a reflective light processing element optically coupled to the lens, the reflective light processing element capable of reflecting substantially none to substantially all of the optical beam from the lens back through the lens, the reflective light processing element capable of modifying at least one characteristic of the optical beam, the reflective light processing element having a reflective surface; and an output optical fiber optically coupled to the lens, the output optical fiber having a output optical fiber longitudinal axis and an output optical fiber endface.
  • FIGURE 1 A shows a side view of one embodiment of a fiber optic component having a single lens reflective fiber optic component geometry of the present invention.
  • FIGURES 1 B- 1 C show operation of one embodiment of a fiber optic component having a single lens reflective fiber optic component geometry of the present invention.
  • FIGURES 2A-2B show perspective views of one embodiment of an optical attenuator having the single lens reflective fiber optic component geometry of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 1A shows a side view of one embodiment of a fiber optic component 100 having a single lens reflective fiber optic component geometry of the present invention.
  • Fiber optic component 100 may be an attenuator, filter, modulator, isolator, or other reflective fiber optic component.
  • Fiber optic component 100 includes one or more input optical fibers 110 each having a longitudinal axis 115 and a fiber endface 119, one or more output optical fibers 120 each having a longitudinal axis 125 and a fiber endface 129, a lens 150, and a reflective light processing element 190.
  • Lens 150 may include an input focal plane 148, an input face 149, an output face 151, an output focal plane 151, and an optical axis 155.
  • Lens 150 may be a plano-convex lens.
  • lens 150 may be a gradient index lens, a gradium lens, or an aspheric lens.
  • Lens 150 may include antireflection coatings to reduce backreflections.
  • Input focal plane 148 and input face 149 of lens 150 may be separated by a gap. A gap of equal or different size may also separate output face 151 and output focal plane 152 of lens 150.
  • Reflective light processing element 190 may be a micromachined grating modulator, micromachined tilting mirror, or filtering element.
  • Input and output optical fibers 110 and 120 may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of a micromachined grating modulator in order to minimize shadowing effects and backreflections.
  • Input optical fiber 110 is optically coupled to lens 150.
  • Lens 150 is optically coupled to reflective light processing element 190.
  • Lens 150 is also optically coupled to output optical fiber 120.
  • Input optical fiber 110 and output optical fiber 120 may be positioned adjacent to one another and aligned with respect to each other so that their longitudinal axes 115 and 125 are parallel. Input optical fiber 110 and output optical fiber 120 may be positioned in front of lens 150 so that their longitudinal axes 115 and 125 are symmetric about an optical axis 155 of lens 150.
  • Input optical fiber 110 and output optical fiber 120 may also be positioned so that their fiber endfaces 119 and 129 lie in the same plane. Fiber endfaces 119 and 129 may also be positioned at an input focal plane 148 of lens
  • Fiber endfaces 119 and 129 may be beveled or angle polished, or include antireflection coatings to reduce backreflections.
  • Reflective light processing element 190 may be positioned at an output focal plane 152 of lens 150. Reflective light processing element 190 may be oriented normal to optical axis 155 of lens 150.
  • FIGURES 1B-1C show operation of one embodiment of a fiber optic component 100 having a single lens reflective fiber optic component geometry of the present invention.
  • An optical beam 160 travels through input optical fiber 110, exits through endface 119, and travels through lens 150.
  • Optical beam 160 is collimated by lens 150 and focused onto reflective light processing element 190.
  • Optical beam 160 may form planar wavefronts 160' as it exits lens 150.
  • Planar wavefronts 160' of the collimated optical beam 160 may exit lens 150 at a small angle ⁇ .
  • Planar wavefronts 160' are reflected off of reflective light processing element 190.
  • Substantially all, substantially none, or a portion of each planar wavefront 160' may be focused by lens 150 onto fiber endface 129 of output optical fiber 120.
  • Optical beam 160 may be thus be attenuated, filtered, modulated, isolated, or otherwise modified when it is reflected off of reflective light processing element 190 and back through lens 150.
  • optical beam 160 exits lens 150 substantially parallel to optical axis 155 of lens 150 and may be reflected substantially collinear with longitudinal axis 125 of output fiber 120.
  • optical beam 160 will be substantially collinear with longitudinal axis 125 of output optical fiber 120 for any separation distance between input and output optical fibers 110 and 120. This simplifies the device fabrication procedure by allowing the optical alignment to be accomplished in a single step.
  • Input and output optical fibers 110 and 120 may be held together, for example in a silicon V-groove block or a two hole ferrule, and then actively aligned with a reflective light processing element 190 / lens 150 assembly so that their longitudinal axes 115 and 125 are positioned symmetrically about optical axis 155 of lens 150 and so that their fiber endfaces 119 and 129 are positioned in input focal plane 148 of lens 150.
  • the alignment process during manufacture of fiber optic component 100 may involve first aligning light processing element 190 with lens 150 before aligning input and output optical fibers 110 and 120 with the light processing element 190 / lens 150 assembly.
  • other alignment processes may be used such as first aligning input and output optical fibers 110 and 120 with lens 150 before aligning the input and output optical fibers 110 and 120 / lens
  • FIGURES 2A-2B show perspective views of one embodiment of an optical attenuator 200 having the single lens reflective fiber optic component geometry of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 A shows operation of optical attenuator 200 in the minimum attenuation mode. Substantially all of each planar wavefront 160' incident on reflective light processing element 190 is reflected back through lens 150 and focused onto endface 129 of output optical fiber 120.
  • FIGURE 2B shows operation of optical attenuator 200 in the maximum attenuation mode. Substantially none of each planar wavefront 160' incident on reflective light processing element 190 is reflected away from lens 150, and so substantially none of the optical beam 160 reaches output optical fiber 120.
  • the single lens reflective fiber optic component geometry of the present invention over two-lens designs include: (1) a reduced number of parts; (2) easier manufacture process; and (3) a more compact design.
  • This fiber optic component geometry requires a reduced number of internal components. Only a single lens with a support structure is needed. With a reduced number of parts comes a correspondingly simpler, lower cost assembly process.
  • the optical alignment steps required to fabricate the device are simpler as compared to two-lens designs.
  • the input and output optical fibers may be fixed relative to each other before the alignment step and then positioned at the correct location in front of the lens as a single unit. By placing the light processing element at the output focal plane of the lens, improved fiber coupling efficiency may be achieved when the input and output fibers are themselves parallel, thus simplifying the device fabrication process and facilitating parallelism between the input and output ports of the packaged device.
  • Input and output optical fibers may be selected with small diameters, enabling them to be closely spaced in front of the lens and minimizing the spatial separation of the incident and reflected collimated beams and consequently the size of each individual fiber optic component.
  • multiple fiber optic components may be housed in a single package without increasing the height of the package. This provides a housing in a package of small footprint and which is compatible with conventional circuit board mounting.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne la géométrie d'un composant à fibre optique réfléchissante à lentille unique. Cette géométrie est constituée d'une lentille unique destinée à coupler la lumière d'au moins une fibre optique d'entrée à au moins une fibre optique de sortie par l'intermédiaire d'un élément de traitement de la lumière réfléchissante.
PCT/US2000/021665 1999-08-11 2000-08-08 Geometrie de composant a fibres optiques reflechissante a lentille unique WO2001011410A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU75714/00A AU7571400A (en) 1999-08-11 2000-08-08 Single lens reflective fiber optic component geometry

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US37271299A 1999-08-11 1999-08-11
US09/372,712 1999-08-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001011410A1 true WO2001011410A1 (fr) 2001-02-15

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/021665 WO2001011410A1 (fr) 1999-08-11 2000-08-08 Geometrie de composant a fibres optiques reflechissante a lentille unique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU7571400A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001011410A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003060591A2 (fr) * 2002-01-15 2003-07-24 Analog Devices, Inc. Systeme de commutation optique et dispositif dote d'une lentille de couverture integree
US6724125B2 (en) 1999-03-30 2004-04-20 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Methods and apparatus for diffractive optical processing using an actuatable structure
US6842556B2 (en) 2002-09-10 2005-01-11 Analog Devices, Inc. Two input, two output optical switch using two movable mirrors
US7046410B2 (en) 2001-10-11 2006-05-16 Polychromix, Inc. Actuatable diffractive optical processor
US7791027B2 (en) 2006-01-31 2010-09-07 Ahura Scientific Inc. Apparatus and method providing a hand-held spectrometer

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5595909A (en) * 1979-01-16 1980-07-21 Fujitsu Ltd Photo switching device
US4626066A (en) * 1983-12-30 1986-12-02 At&T Bell Laboratories Optical coupling device utilizing a mirror and cantilevered arm
US5311360A (en) * 1992-04-28 1994-05-10 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford, Junior University Method and apparatus for modulating a light beam
US5900983A (en) * 1997-08-22 1999-05-04 Lucent Technologies Inc. Level-setting optical attenuator

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5595909A (en) * 1979-01-16 1980-07-21 Fujitsu Ltd Photo switching device
US4626066A (en) * 1983-12-30 1986-12-02 At&T Bell Laboratories Optical coupling device utilizing a mirror and cantilevered arm
US5311360A (en) * 1992-04-28 1994-05-10 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford, Junior University Method and apparatus for modulating a light beam
US5900983A (en) * 1997-08-22 1999-05-04 Lucent Technologies Inc. Level-setting optical attenuator

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
GLOECKNER S ET AL: "MICRO-OPTO-MECHANICAL BEAM DEFLECTORS", OPTICAL ENGINEERING,US,SOC. OF PHOTO-OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERS. BELLINGHAM, vol. 36, no. 5, 1 May 1997 (1997-05-01), pages 1339 - 1345, XP000692363, ISSN: 0091-3286 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 004, no. 146 (P - 031) 15 October 1980 (1980-10-15) *

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6724125B2 (en) 1999-03-30 2004-04-20 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Methods and apparatus for diffractive optical processing using an actuatable structure
US7046410B2 (en) 2001-10-11 2006-05-16 Polychromix, Inc. Actuatable diffractive optical processor
WO2003060591A2 (fr) * 2002-01-15 2003-07-24 Analog Devices, Inc. Systeme de commutation optique et dispositif dote d'une lentille de couverture integree
WO2003060591A3 (fr) * 2002-01-15 2003-12-04 Analog Devices Inc Systeme de commutation optique et dispositif dote d'une lentille de couverture integree
US6842556B2 (en) 2002-09-10 2005-01-11 Analog Devices, Inc. Two input, two output optical switch using two movable mirrors
US7791027B2 (en) 2006-01-31 2010-09-07 Ahura Scientific Inc. Apparatus and method providing a hand-held spectrometer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU7571400A (en) 2001-03-05

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