Patents Examined by Michael J. Stahl
  • Patent number: 6424785
    Abstract: A fiber-optic endpiece includes a base member and a fixing member which can be inserted in the base member. The base member has a coupling end face and a depression with a bottom surface and lateral guide structures. The bottom surface has a groove for accepting an optical waveguide. The depression, the groove, and the optical waveguide extend to the coupling end face. The fixing member has a front face, a rear face and guide faces. The guide faces interact with the guide structures such that the fixing member is clamped in the depression. The optical waveguide is thus clamped between the base member and the fixing member when the fixing member is inserted. The coupling end face of the base member and the front face of the clamped fixing member lie in a common plane when the fixing member is in an inserted position. The depression and the fixing member have respective cross sections which diminish uniformly along a longitudinal direction of the depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Lutz Melchior
  • Patent number: 6421490
    Abstract: Disclosed is a singe mode optical waveguide fiber having alternating segments of positive and negative dispersion and dispersion slope. The relative indexes, the refractive index profiles and the radii of the segments are chosen to provide low total dispersion and dispersion slope. Preferred waveguides in accordance with the invention exhibit a dispersion over the range of 1520 to 1625 nm which at all time has a magnitude which is less than 2, and more preferably less that 1 ps/nm-km. The total dispersion of the waveguide fiber is in the range of about −2.0 to +2.0 ps/nm-km at 1550 nm. The waveguide also features a low polarization mode dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Yanming Liu
  • Patent number: 6421491
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion shifted optical waveguide fiber having low but non-zero dispersion over an extended wavelength window that includes wavelengths, from 1470 nm to 1625 nm. Waveguide fiber core refractive index profiles exhibit the desired dispersion performance while maintaining resistance to pin array and lateral load bending at least equivalent to standard waveguide fiber. Attenuation over the operating wavelength range is low and zero dispersion wavelength is typically less than 1450 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Yanming Liu
  • Patent number: 6418263
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing a fiber optic assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic assembly storage apparatus that includes a storage tray is disclosed. The storage tray has a first side and a second side where the first side defines a plurality of storage channels. The first side defines an optical component storage channel, a plurality of optical component storage cells, an optical component fiber storage channel, and a coupling fiber storage channel. The optical component fiber storage channel is disposed at a first end of the optical component storage channel and the coupling fiber storage channel interconnects the optical component storage channel and the plurality of optical component storage cells. A tray cover may also be provided that is positioned on the first side of the storage tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Hovhannes Habib Mardirossian, Wali Shah, Victor J. Talamini, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6415076
    Abstract: A mode conditioning patch (MCP) is provided for conditioning a single mode fiber optic signal for propagation within a multimode optical fiber. The MCP includes a single mode optical fiber section and a transition region with increasing diameter. The transition region diameter preferably increases to approximately that of a multimode fiber section through which the conditioned signal is to propagate. In one embodiment, the transition region is a flared end of the single mode optical fiber section, which is fabricated of plastic. The single mode optical fiber section with the flared end can be fusion splice joined to the multimode optical fiber section to further enhance mixing of the single mode signal within the multimode fiber optic section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Casimer M. DeCusatis
  • Patent number: 6415066
    Abstract: An integrated optical circuit is formed in a silicon layer and supported on a substrate, and a portion of the silicon layer is substantially thermally isolated from the substrate by extending over a recess in the substrate, e.g. in the form of a bridge. Temperature control means are provided to control the temperature of the portion of the silicon layer or of a device provided thereon. A thermal expansion gap may be provided in the portion to accommodate thermal expansion of the portion relative to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Bookham Technology PLC
    Inventors: Arnold Peter Roscoe Harpin, Andrew George Rickman, Jolyon Richard Tidmarsh
  • Patent number: 6404949
    Abstract: A bi-directional interface for transmitting signals between a circuit tester and a connection point proximate to a circuit to be tested includes a first and a second optical fiber link, a first directional gate for coupling both the input end of the first link and the output end of the second link to one endpoint of the interface and a second directional gate for coupling both the input end of the second link and the output end of the first link to the other endpoint of the interface. An optical fiber link for transmitting a signal between a circuit tester and a connection point proximate to a circuit to be tested includes an optical fiber for transmitting the signal, a light source electrically coupled to the link input and optically coupled to the input of the fiber, and a photodetector optically coupled to the fiber output and electrically coupled to the link output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: inTEST IP Corporation
    Inventors: Thornton W. Sargent, IV, Douglas W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6402395
    Abstract: A specification is given of an OWG plug connector (101) for a mechanically releasable connection between at least one OWG connector and a printed circuit board, having a housing (103) having at least one chamber (104) for accommodating the OWG connector (105) and at least one cavity (112) for accommodating an active element (113), the cavity and the chamber being connected via a hole (106); a printed circuit board (102) having continuous openings (107a, 107b) for latching feet (108) of the housing and for connecting pins (109); at least one OWG connector, the end piece (111) of the OWG connector being bounded by an exit face (110); and at least one active element, in which case at least three elastic shoulders (115) are integrally formed on the inner walls of the cavity in such a way that the active region of the active element is oriented centrally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hole and is arranged underneath the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventor: Friedrich Bach
  • Patent number: 6394664
    Abstract: An optical module comprising an optoelectronic board having electrical connection sites for connection with an electrical circuit. The module includes a plurality of optoelectronic devices on the optoelectronic board and an optical fiber connector including a plurality of optical elements each for connection with a respective optoelectronic device. Cooperative alignment members on the optoelectronic board and the optical fiber connector are provided for aligning the optoelectronic devices on the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Mitel Semiconductor AB
    Inventor: Jan Isaksson
  • Patent number: 6393169
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus providing an optical interconnection in an integrated circuit die. In one embodiment, an optical interconnection is used to optically interconnect a waveguide-based optical modulator through the insulating layer and back side of the semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit die. In one embodiment, an insulating oxide layer is disposed between a semiconductor waveguide optical modulator and the back side of the semiconductor substrate. Optical conduits are disposed in the insulating oxide layer at the locations where light enters and exits the semiconductor waveguide optical modulator. In one embodiment, the optical conduits have indexes of refraction substantially equal to the indexes of refraction of the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor waveguide optical modulator. Thus, attenuation of the light used to optically couple the semiconductor waveguide optical modulator through the back side of the semiconductor substrate is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mario J. Paniccia, Michael T. Morse, Valluri R.M. Rao
  • Patent number: 6381389
    Abstract: An optical coupling device for coupling optical waveguide devices having different spot sizes to one another includes photonic crystal having a modulation structure having a refractive index periodic at about the same interval as the wavelength of light used by the optical waveguide devices. The use of the photonic crystal allows the spot size of light at the emitting end of the photonic crystal to be converted into a different size from the spot size at the incident end of the photonic crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Kosaka
  • Patent number: 6374003
    Abstract: An optical modulator that modulates light through the semiconductor substrate through the back side of a flip chip packaged integrated circuit. In one embodiment, an optical modulator is disposed within a flip chip packaged integrated circuit die. The optical modulator includes a deflector and a diffraction grating. A first infrared optical beam having a photon energy less than the band gap energy of the semiconductor substrate is directed through the back side of the semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit die, deflected off the deflector through the diffraction grating and back out the back side of the integrated circuit die. A second infrared optical beam having a photon energy greater than or equal to the band gap energy of the semiconductor substrate is directed through the back side of the semiconductor substrate to generate free charge carriers and increase the modulation depth of the optical modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yi Ding, Mario J. Paniccia
  • Patent number: 6374021
    Abstract: The PD/LD module of the present invention comprises a platform, a straight light guide (waveguide) formed on the platform for guiding transmitting light and receiving light, a light source (LD or LED) positioned at an end of the light guide for emitting transmitting light, a PD mounted just above the light guide for detecting receiving signals and a filter sloping upward on the way of the light guide for reflecting receiving light to the photodiode (PD) and passing transmitting light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Nakanishi, Yoshiki Kuhara
  • Patent number: 6366718
    Abstract: A submarine optical gain equalizer installed on a submarine optical transmission cable 5. The submarine optical gain equalizer comprises a pressure housing 1, in which an optical gain equalizer and n through-fibers are installed. Input and output ports of the optical gain equalizer and the through-fibers are formed in the outside of the pressure housing. The submarine optical gain equalizer equalizes levels of signal light having wavelengths different each other caused by optical fiber amplifiers. In general, one submarine optical gain equalizer is installed for 40 optical fiber amplifiers on a submarine optical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sakuyama
  • Patent number: 6363196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispersion-shifted single-mode fiber having cladding of given refractive index (ns) and a fiber core having an index profile that is in the shape of a trapezium, a triangle, or a rectangle, together with a first ring, the index profile of the fiber core having an outer, second ring of index (n3) greater than the index of said cladding (ns), said fiber being characterized in that the index (n3) of said second ring is greater than or equal to the index (n2) of said first ring. The invention provides better control over the wavelength at which chromatic dispersion is zero, while conserving the other transmission characteristics of known fibers, such as mode diameter and attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Rousseau, Marianne Paillot
  • Patent number: 6361220
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing the terminal end of a connector assembly which has a ferrule fixedly connected to a plastic optic fiber. The apparatus precisely maintains the connector assembly against transverse movement during cutting operations and a diamond cutting element precisely finishes the terminal end of the connector assembly relative to the connector assembly axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: Paul M. Mulligan, Carl W. Lindenmeyer
  • Patent number: 6360043
    Abstract: The present case concerns the manufacture of hybrid electrooptical chips. A substrate is treated so that it can both provide locations for electrooptical components and be etched so as to generate grooves in which optical fibers can be mounted. During the etching of the grooves any electrooptical component already mounted on the substrate is protected from damage by the etchant by a protective coating. A feature is that optical fibers can be mounted with their cores above the surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Cambridge Consultants Limited
    Inventors: Roger Mark Bostock, Robert Jones, David Frank Moore
  • Patent number: 6353696
    Abstract: A panel for managing the storage of fiber optic cable jumpers is disclosed. The panel fits within a conventional storage rack. The panel has a box-like frame with a cavity on its back side. The panel also has a front storage hub and a rear storage hub. The rear hub extends out of the cavity and is coaxial with the front hub. A port is located in the frame adjacent to the hubs. An excess length of a fiber optic cable jumper may be stored by coiling it on either or both of the hubs, depending upon the need and the length of the jumper. The jumper may be inserted through the port in either direction and joined to a fiber optic cable on each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Carrie Lynn Gordon, Jennifer D. Noble
  • Patent number: 6317555
    Abstract: A creep-resistant optical fiber attachment includes an optical fiber 10, having a cladding 12 and a core 14, having a variation region 16 (expanded or recessed) of an outer dimension on of the cladding and a structure, such as a ferrule 30, disposed against least a portion of the variation region 16. The fiber 10 is held in tension against the ferrule and the ferrule 30 has a size and shape that mechanically locks the ferrule 30 to the variation 16, thereby holding the fiber 10 in tension against the ferrule 30 with minimal relative movement (or creep) in at least one axail direction between the fiber 10 and the ferrule 30. The ferrule 30 may be attached to or part of a larger structure, such as a housing. The variation 16 and the ferrule 30 may have various different shapes and sizes. There may also be a buffer layer 18 between the cladding 12 and the ferrule 30 to protect the fiber 10 and/or to help secure the ferrule 30 to the fiber 10 to minimize creep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Maron, Guy A. Daigle, James R. Dunphy, Thomas W. Engel, John J. Grunbeck, Mark R. Fernald, Charles W. Helm
  • Patent number: 6301412
    Abstract: A mask having a center hole for passing through a center fiber, which is one of multiple fibers, and multiple surrounding holes for passing through surrounding fibers, which are the remainder of the multiple fibers, and a stress adjusting unit for holding stresses generated in the center fiber and surrounding fibers to a desired constant value, respectively, are installed. The surrounding fibers are rotated around the center fiber by rotating the mask. The center fiber and the surrounding fibers that have been twisted around the center fiber are heated with a heating apparatus and drawn. The center fiber and the surrounding fibers are fixed using a clamp installed between the stress adjusting unit and the heating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Mori, Masaaki Shirota, Seiki Ejima, Jun Abe, Sayuri Maeda, Kazuo Koya