Abstract: A procedure for assembling ends of optical fiber into a sheet where adhesive is deposited into parallel grooves in a top surface of a substrate. The optical fibers are placed into the grooves with one optical fiber per groove. A portion of each of the optical fibers, including the ends, extends beyond an edge of the substrate. A plate is pressed against the substrate to hold the optical fibers in the grooves. The plate has a flat surface which extends beyond the edge of the substrate and over the portion of each of the optical fibers extending beyond the edge of the substrate. A lip is contacted with and pressed against each of the optical fibers extending beyond the edge of the substrate to press the optical fibers against the flat surface of the plate. The adhesive is allowed to harden during the lip press to adhere the optical fibers and the plate to the substrate to form the sheet.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating an optical component, the component comprising at least partially uncoated organic material, the method comprising: placing molten metal around the optical component, and solidifying the metal. The invention includes encapsulating a segment or element of an optical component, such as, for example, an optical junction or a surface. An encapsulated optical component and optical components having sealed or encapsulated elements are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated optical component with ion diffused optical circuit paths in glass connected to optical fibers, comprising a transverse exit groove machined adjacent the paths, a plateau for supporting an uncoated portion of the optical fibers for connection to the paths, and a shoulder adjacent the plateau for supporting a coated portion of the fiber, the fiber endfaces being secured to the terminations of the paths by means of an adhesive; and, a method for manufacturing such a component comprising machining, approximate alignment, precise alignment, and gluing steps.

Abstract: An integrated optical component with ion diffused optical circuit paths in glass connected to optical fibers, comprising a transverse exit groove machined adjacent the paths, a plateau for supporting an uncoated portion of the optical fibers for connection to the paths, and a shoulder adjacent the plateau for supporting a coated portion of the fiber, the fiber endfaces being secured to the terminations of the paths by means of an adhesive; and, a method for manufacturing such a component comprising machining, approximately alignment, precise alignment, and gluing steps.