摘要:
Disclosed are systems and methods for cutting one or more glass sheets. A system is provided comprising a first mirror having a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface that is spaced from and opposes the first reflective surface to define a cavity between the mirrors. An aperture can be defined in the first mirror. Furthermore, a laser beam can be provided that is configured to emit a beam through the aperture into the cavity. Beams reflected in the cavity, in one aspect, define a common focus point through which the glass sheet can be translated to cause the cutting of the glass sheets. A means for translating the glass sheet through the cavity is provided, in one aspect.
摘要:
Methods for preparation and disposing of an optical fiber(s) into a blind hole(s) and related assemblies and methods of making same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for processing an optical fiber(s) is provided. The method includes processing an end portion(s) of the optical fiber(s) with a laser. The end portion(s) of the optical fiber(s) is disposed in a blind hole(s). The blind hole(s) may be disposed in a holding structure. The optical fiber(s) is attached to the holding structure. A fixture is also disclosed and may be used for retaining the optical fiber(s) in a channel(s) disposed in the fixture during preparation and/or disposing of the optical fiber(s) in the blind hole(s). An assembly prepared in accordance with the methods provided herein is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the assembly could include a holding structure assembly for an array of the optical fibers.
摘要:
A channeled substrate for forming integrated optical devices that employ optical fibers and at least one active optical component is disclosed. The channeled substrate includes a substrate member having an upper surface one or more grooves formed therein, and a transparent sheet. The transparent sheet, which is preferably made of thin glass, is fixed to the substrate member upper surface to define, in combination with the one or more grooves, one or more channels. The channels are each sized to accommodate an optical fiber to allow for optical communication through the transparent sheet between the active optical component and the optical fibers. Channeled substrates formed by molding and by drawing are also presented. Integrated optical devices that employ the channeled substrate are also disclosed.
摘要:
The strain-managed optical waveguide assemblies of the present invention utilize a large-mode-area (LMA) optical fiber that is annealed in a first bending such that the fiber in that configuration has substantially no axial strain. A fiber support member is then used to support the annealed LMA optical fiber in a second bending configuration that forms within the LMA optical fiber an axial strain profile that reduces stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) as compared to the first bending configuration, and that also preferably causes the LMA optical fiber to operate in a single mode. The LMA optical fiber may have a double-clad configuration and include a doped core that serves as a gain medium. The strain-managed optical waveguide assembly can then be used to constitute a fiber amplifier that mitigates the SBS penalty associated with high-power fiber-based optical systems. The strain-managed waveguide assembly can also provide for thermal management in high-power applications, and can be used to control SBS by controlling the temperature profile along the length of the LMA optical fiber in a manner that mitigates SBS.
摘要:
Receptacle ferrules with at least one monolithic lens system and fiber optic connectors using same are disclosed. Ferrule assemblies formed by mating plug and receptacle ferrules are also disclosed, as are connector assemblies formed by mating plug and receptacle connectors. The fiber optic connectors and connector assemblies are suitable for use with commercial electronic devices and provide either an optical connection, or both electrical and optical connections. The monolithic optical system defines a receptacle optical pathway having a focus at the receptacle ferrule front end. When a plug ferrule having a plug optical pathway is mated with the receptacle ferrule, the plug and receptacle optical pathways are optically coupled at a solid-solid optical pathway interface where light passing therethrough is either divergent or convergent, and where unwanted liquid is substantially expelled.
摘要:
Gradient-index (GRIN) lens fabrication employing laser pulse width duration control, and related components, systems, and methods are disclosed. GRIN lenses can be fabricated from GRIN rods by controlling the pulse width emission duration of a laser beam emitted by a laser to laser cut the GRIN rod, as the GRIN rod is disposed in rotational relation to the laser beam. Controlling laser pulse width emission duration can prevent or reduce heat accumulation in the GRIN rod during GRIN lens fabrication. It is desired that the end faces of GRIN lenses are planar to facilitate light collimation, easy bonding or fusing of the GRIN lens to optical fibers to reduce optical losses, polishing to avoid spherical aberrations, and/or cleaning the end faces when disposed in a fiber optic connector, as non-limiting examples.
摘要:
Optical fiber ferrules (10, 20) for making optical or optical and electrical connections are disclosed, along with receptacle and plug fiber optic interface devices (60, 70) using the ferrules, and cable assemblies (6, 7) using the fiber optic interface devices. The optical fiber ferrules support optical pathways (14) and have front ends (12F, 22F) with mating geometries that facilitate a relatively high number of mating/unmating cycles. The ferrule is translatable within the enclosure (62e, 72e). Resilient members (75) provide the ferrule with forward-bias and rear-bias positions when the fiber optic interface device is un-mated and mated, respectively.
摘要:
Laser-processed gradient-index (GRIN) lenses and optical interface devices and assemblies that utilize the laser-processed GRIN lenses are disclosed. A GRIN lens assembly includes a cylindrical central section having a GRIN index profile, planar front and back surfaces, an outer surface, and a diameter D1 where 200 micrometers≦D1≦420 micrometers. An annular cladding of outer diameter D2 surrounds the central section outer surface and has front and back annular surfaces and a constant or a varying refractive index. One or both of the front and back annular surfaces may be curved. An optical fiber is optically coupled to the central section at the planar back surface. An optical interface device is formed by operably supporting at least one GRIN lens assembly with a support member. An optical interface assembly is formed by interfacing two optical interface devices.
摘要:
An optical connector for optically connecting at least one light source to at least one light receiver is disclosed. The optical connector includes first and second connector members respectively having first and second positive-power lens elements with respective first and second planar lens surfaces. The lens elements are arranged in their respective connector members such that when the two connector members are operably mated, the first and second lenses form an optical system where the first and second planar lens surfaces are spaced apart in opposition with a narrow gap in between, and are non-perpendicular to the optical system axis. The lenses may be conventional uniform-refractive-index lenses having a convex surface or may be gradient-index lenses having two planar surfaces. The optical connector is tolerant to contamination that can find its way into the narrow gap.
摘要:
The strain-managed optical waveguide assemblies of the present invention utilize a large-mode-area (LMA) optical fiber that is annealed in a first bending such that the fiber in that configuration has substantially no axial strain. A fiber support member is then used to support the annealed LMA optical fiber in a second bending configuration that forms within the LMA optical fiber an axial strain profile that reduces stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) as compared to the first bending configuration, and that also preferably causes the LMA optical fiber to operate in a single mode. The LMA optical fiber may have a double-clad configuration and include a doped core that serves as a gain medium. The strain-managed optical waveguide assembly can then be used to constitute a fiber amplifier that mitigates the SBS penalty associated with high-power fiber-based optical systems. The strain-managed waveguide assembly can also provide for thermal management in high-power applications, and can be used to control SBS by controlling the temperature profile along the length of the LMA optical fiber in a manner that mitigates SBS.