Abstract: An optical coupler having two refractive lenses for coupling an optoelectronic element and an optical medium to each other. One lens may be in contact with the optical medium. The refractive index of the one lens may be similar to the index of the optical medium. The optoelectronic element may be a light source or a detector. The light source may be a laser. The lenses may be glass ball lenses. One of the ball lenses may be a half ball lens. If the optical medium is an optical fiber, one of the lenses may a fiber stop for the fiber when inserted in a receptacle of the coupler.

Abstract: A zero-clearance receptacle for single mode optical fiber couplers. The zero-clearance receptacle includes an internally fluted V-groove formed by internally extending legs. The zero-clearance receptacle uses the fundamental action of the V-groove to accurately locate an optical fiber ferrule inserted into the zero-clearance receptacle in the radial direction. The zero-clearance receptacle further includes a slot that receives a biasing element, such as a spring, that biases the optical ferrule against the V-groove legs. This enables accurate positioning of an optical fiber in the optical ferrule relation to an optical element such as a VCSEL or a photoreceptor. The zero-clearance receptacle beneficially fits into an optical coupler, which may have a lens.

Abstract: An optical coupler having two refractive lenses for coupling an optoelectronic element and an optical medium to each other. One lens may be in contact with the optical medium. The refractive index of the one lens may be similar to the index of the optical medium. The optoelectronic element may be a light source or a detector. The light source may be a laser. The lenses may be glass ball lenses. One of the ball lenses may be a half ball lens. If the optical medium is an optical fiber, one of the lenses may a fiber stop for the fiber when inserted in a receptacle of the coupler.

Abstract: A zero-clearance receptacle for single mode optical fiber couplers. The zero-clearance receptacle includes an internally fluted V-groove formed by internally extending legs. The zero-clearance receptacle uses the fundamental action of the V-groove to accurately locate an optical fiber ferrule inserted into the zero-clearance receptacle in the radial direction. The zero-clearance receptacle further includes a slot that receives a biasing element, such as a spring, that biases the optical ferrule against the V-groove legs. This enables accurate positioning of an optical fiber in the optical ferrule relation to an optical element such as a VCSEL or a photoreceptor. The zero-clearance receptacle beneficially fits into an optical coupler, which may have a lens.