Spherical Patents (Class 385/35)
  • Patent number: 7711223
    Abstract: A composite light guiding film module is disclosed, which includes: a light guiding film; a light diffusion structure comprising a plurality of micro concave lenses arranged in a first direction and a second direction to form a second dimensional array and the curvature of each concave lens and the junction of the concave lenses are not equal to zero; and a refraction element comprising at least one refraction structure, wherein light from a light source passes through the refraction element and is refracted to the light diffusion structure, and the light passing through the light diffusion structure is refracted into the light guiding film and then propagates in the light guiding film by total reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Chao, Po-Ling Shiao, Yu-Tsan Tseng, Mei-Chun Lai
  • Patent number: 7702202
    Abstract: An optical device and a sensor system incorporating same are disclosed. The optical device includes a microresonator that has a core with input and output ports. The output port is different than the input port. The optical device further includes first and second optical waveguides. Each optical waveguide has a core with input and output faces. The output face of the core of the first optical waveguide physically contacts the input port of the core of the microresonator. The input face of the core of the second optical waveguide physically contacts the output port of the core of the microresonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Barry J. Koch, Terry L. Smith, Yasha Yi, Chunmei Guo
  • Patent number: 7625129
    Abstract: A multi channel connector includes a first connector housing and a mating second connector housing. The first connector housing includes a plurality of first termini, each first terminus resting upon a respective bench or within a respective channel. The second connector housing loosely holds a plurality of second termini. In a first embodiment, a biasing member is disposed in the first connector housing and when the first and second housings are mated, the biasing member engages the plurality of second termini to press the second termini onto engagement with respective benches within the first housing to thereby ensure accurate end-to-end alignments between the plurality of first termini and the plurality of second termini. In a second embodiment, chamfers are formed at openings to the respective channels and beveled outer edges are formed at tip ends of the second termini to guide the second termini into respective channels, when the first and second connector housings are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Commscope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Matthew Cruz
  • Patent number: 7604417
    Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. An optic fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. Preferably, the seat permits the lens to be recessed below the end surface of the ferrule. An inspection slot may be formed through the seat to allow a technician to inspect the state of the epoxy attachment. The ferrule may also include retaining features, such as an o-ring encircling a groove in the outer circumference of the ferrule or a metal sleeve crimped or otherwise attached to the ferrule to permit the ferrule to be easily attached to a cable retention sleeve, connector body or similar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Commscope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Timothy W. Anderson, Matthew Cruz
  • Patent number: 7603008
    Abstract: An optical fiber coupling part that reduces the difficulty in adjusting cores, minimizes coupling loss, and prevents optical characteristics from deteriorating. An optical fiber is fused to one end of a GRIN lens which includes a quartz glass containing one or more refractive index regulating substances selected from Sb2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2 or ZrO2. Optical characteristics are not deteriorated because an adhesive is not used, and self-alignment effects facilitate adjustment of the cores of the GRIN lens and the optical fiber. Furthemore, coupling loss can be minimized by setting a refractive index distribution constant g of the GRIN lens within an appropriate range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Toyo Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Matsumura, Taro Suzuki, Toru Achiwa
  • Patent number: 7597486
    Abstract: In one example, an optical device includes a body having a first surface and a second surface. At least a portion of the body is formed from a material that is transmissible to light. The body is configured to be positioned in an optical sub-assembly along an axis defined between an optoelectronic transducer and a port configured to receive an optical fiber. The axis is defined between a point on an optically active portion of the optoelectronic transducer and a point on a surface of the optical fiber. The first surface of the body is positioned at a first angle relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis. The second surface of the body is positioned at a second angle relative to the plane. The first surface and the second surface are positioned at respective opposing ends of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Tat Ming Teo, Wendy Pei Fen Lau, Songyang Li
  • Patent number: 7558452
    Abstract: A lens, fabricated from a plurality of materials, each having an associated index of refraction, is used to focus and direct light into one or more optical fibers, coupled to the lens and used to collect light and transmit the collected light to an energy converter, a lighting or heating system, or a lighting or heating apparatus. The collected light may be converted to electricity by powering a steam turbine generator, thermal photo-voltaic cells, or the like. The collected light may also be supplied as a centralized light source to reflective lighting fixtures connected by fiber optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: Edward Ho
  • Patent number: 7546009
    Abstract: Planar lenses for integrated optics applications, in particular for use in optical touch screen sensors are disclosed. The disclosed planar lenses include a slab waveguide and an optical waveguide, preferably formed in unitary fashion, wherein the slab waveguide has a curved end face to focus light into or out of the optical waveguide, and wherein at least one additional lens is included within the slab waveguide. In one aspect of this disclosure, the additional lens is a diverging lens. In a second aspect the additional lens is a converging lens. The additional lens may match the acceptance angle of the optical waveguide to the curved end face of the slab waveguide. Alternatively, it may improve the tolerance of the planar lens to design or assembly errors and/or temperature variations. Preferably, the planar lenses are composed of a photo-patternable polymer, and the additional lenses are composed of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: RPO Pty Limited
    Inventors: Dax Kukulj, Benjamin Cornish, Robert Bruce Charters, Graham Roy Atkins, Barry Luther-Davies
  • Patent number: 7509011
    Abstract: A waveguide system wherein a top cladding layer leaves portions of an underlying core channel exposed to ambient air. The ends of core channels are exposed so that light can exit out of or enter into each of the core channels. Openings are formed in the top cladding layer to expose a curved section of a core channel to the ambient air. The low index of refraction of the ambient air allows the curved section to have a reduced turn radius and thereby allows the waveguide system to have a smaller footprint. A via in the top cladding layer provides access to an underlying core channel so that optical communication with the underlying core can be established. An optical computer input device formed of waveguide systems having top cladding layers that leave portions of an underlying core channel exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Poa Sana Liquidating Trust
    Inventor: Jonathan N. Payne
  • Patent number: 7474822
    Abstract: In the optical fiber collimator according to the invention, a transparent block having a refractive index that is substantially the same as the refractive indices of the lens and optical fiber is disposed between the lens and ferrule so that the block contacts the lens, ferrule, and optical fiber. The thickness of the block in the direction of beam transmission is set to be the same as the distance to the focal point from the end surface of the lens that is determined by the diameter and refractive index of the lens and the refractive index of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP K.K.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kobayashi, Takehiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7474821
    Abstract: Variants of a method for manufacturing a microlens of any desired shape at the extremity of a lead waveguide are provided. A lens element having a non-uniform radial etchability profile is provided at the extremity of the lead waveguide. Preferably, the etchability profile is determined by a non-uniform radial distribution of dopants in the lens element. A spacer may optionally be placed between the waveguide and the lens element. The lens element is then brought down to an appropriate length and etched to its final shape which is mainly determined by the dopant distribution. An optical coupling assembly having a non-uniform radial distribution of dopants therein is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Optacore D.O.O.
    Inventors: Denis Donlagic, Edvard Cibula, Éric Pinet
  • Patent number: 7466883
    Abstract: Our invention relates generally to an optical switch (31) and an optical router (10) to rapidly route signals from particular channels (22, 24) within an optical band by using optical switches (20) which utilize a controlled whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonance of dielectric microspheres (S1, S2, S3) to optically switch signals. Another invention relates to optical filters which use a WGM resonate structure (150) to isolate and switch specific optical signals between waveguides (F1, F2). In other inventions, the filter (100) is switched “on/off” by signal loss within a WGM resonate structure (150) which disrupts the WGM resonance; the filter (100) isolates and switches a specific wavelength signal from among a group of signals of different wavelengths; and is switched “off” by adjusting the index of refraction of the resonate structure to become substantially similar to the index of refraction of the surrounding medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Arryx, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Bradley, Ward Lopes
  • Patent number: 7460748
    Abstract: A method provided for manufacturing a lensed tip optical fiber. The method includes providing an optically transparent cylindrical fiber; and etching a first end of the optically transparent cylindrical fiber to form a tip. The tip is heated which forms a lens surface at the heated tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: Yin S. Tang
  • Patent number: 7460750
    Abstract: The expanded beam, single fiber, fiber optic connector includes a lens holder, a lens, and a ferrule. The lens holder retains the lens, and the lens holder accommodates the ferrule. The lens is in optical communication with an optical fiber retained in the ferrule. The lens holder has an outside diameter that is substantially the same as the outside diameter of a ferrule of a physical contact, single fiber, fiber optic connector, such as one of an LC, SC, FC, and ST style or standard fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Stratos International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. E. Durrant, Mark Waldron
  • Publication number: 20080279503
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector uses an expanded light beam design in a universal receptacle that couples to a single style of plug on the ends of all harnesses. A single, mirror image socket design is used on bulkhead receptacles or box connections, with which two harness plugs mate. The receptacle uses optical lenses for expanding, collimating, and focusing the beam from the plug terminii. The optical lens may comprise rod lenses, ball lenses, or any other optical component that accomplishes the desired beam manipulation with the required diameters and lengths. The optical components are captured in a sleeve that holds the components, establishes the distance between the plug terminii and the lenses, and provides the alignment needed between the plug ferrules and the optical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Richard C. Jones
  • Patent number: 7444047
    Abstract: A multiplexing optical system includes collimator lenses, a first condensing lens, a second condensing lens and an optical fiber. The collimator lenses collimate divergent laser beams that have been emitted from semiconductor lasers. The first condensing lens condenses laser beams transmitted through the collimator lenses in only one of a plane including the stripe width direction of the semiconductor lasers and a plane including a direction perpendicular to the stripe width direction. The second condensing lens condenses laser beams transmitted through the first condensing lens. The optical fiber is arranged in such a manner that the condensed laser beams enter the optical fiber. In the multiplexing optical system, an anamorphic lens is used as the second condensing lens, and the anamorphic lens condenses the laser beams in the two planes in cooperation with the first condensing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Sonoda, Hiromitsu Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 7438480
    Abstract: An optical module 1 comprises a first optical element F1, a first light receiving subassembly PD1, a second optical element F2, a second light receiving subassembly PD2, a light emitting subassembly LD3 for generating light, and a light transmitting part 3 optically coupled to the first optical element. The light emitting subassembly LD3, the first optical element F1, the second optical element F2 and the first light receiving subassembly PD1 are arranged along a predetermined plane S1. The light emitting subassembly LD3, the first optical element F1, the second optical element F2, and the second light receiving subassembly PD2 are arranged along another predetermined plane S2. The predetermined plane S1 intersects at a predetermined angle with the other predetermined plane S2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Okada, Hiromi Nakanishi, Yoshiki Kuhara
  • Publication number: 20080218872
    Abstract: An optical device for a wavelength division multiplexing system has a telecentric lens system and a signal-processing optical element, where the signal-processing optical element performs switching, attenuation, or other optical signal processing for the optical device. The telecentric lens system acts as a self-compensating optical system to minimize sensitivity of the optical device to unwanted displacement of an input image from the optical axis of the optical device. The optical device may include multiple telecentric lens systems, in which case the optical device is also less sensitive to precise alignment between the telecentric lens systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Haijun YUAN, Xuehua WU, Christopher LIN, Giovanni BARBAROSSA
  • Patent number: 7419311
    Abstract: A surface mount optical coupler includes a silicon substrate; an optical semiconductor device disposed on an upper surface of the silicon substrate; and a short bare fiber formed of vitreous silica. A V-shaped linear groove is formed in the upper surface of the silicon substrate. The V-shaped groove extends from one end surface of the silicon substrate toward a light emitting surface of the optical semiconductor device in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface. Further, the V-shape groove supports the short bare fiber. The short bare fiber has one end surface optically coupled with a light emitting portion of the light emitting surface. The short bare fiber has a length smaller than that of the V-shaped groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokihiro Terashima, Hiroshi Wada
  • Patent number: 7410749
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a micro-lens, and a method of fabricating an optical module using the method are provided. To fabricate a micro-lens, a thin film is formed of a material for the micro-lens on a substrate. A photoresist pattern is formed on the thin film, a thin-film structure is formed by etching the thin film using the photoresist pattern, and the micro-lens is completed by reflow by thermally treating the thin-film structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Geol Cho, Sun-Tae Jung
  • Patent number: 7403677
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to operate on a light beam by using a lens that collimates the light beam to a collimated beam with at least one cross-sectional dimension less than a critical dimension of 400 ?m or less over a working range WR. The apparatus has a bulk electro-optic material of small thickness ?, e.g., less than 300 ?m positioned within working range WR and the collimated beam traverses it along its path. The apparatus has a voltage source for applying a low operating or drive voltage Vdrive, e.g. less than 400 V to the bulk electro-optic material for performing an operation on the collimated beam. The lens for collimating the light beam is a free-space collimator such as a graded index (GRIN) lens or preferably a C-lens. The apparatus is a versatile and scalable platform that can be employed in building various electro-optic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Agiltron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Zhao, Jin Guanghai, Shu Yongjun
  • Patent number: 7389021
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system are described herein, and include a controller, and an optoelectronic module coupled to the controller. The optoelectronic module has a substrate, and a stage having a lens. An electromechanical subsystem is coupled to the substrate and to the stage, to hold the stage in a suspended manner over the substrate, and is adapted to move and lock in place the stage to position the lens to steer a light beam, responsive to control signals. A network interface module comprises the optoelectronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventors: Marc Epitaux, Wilfried Noell, Yves Petremand, Nicolaas-F. De Rooij
  • Patent number: 7371017
    Abstract: Au automated laser pressing system assembles and aligns a laser header subassembly to a lens housing. The automated system generally includes a precise press system and a fast fiber alignment system. The press system precisely presses the housing onto the header, or the header onto the housing, and the fiber alignment system keeps a fiber in alignment with light passed through the lens to measure the laser header to lens housing alignment. Feedback from the fiber alignment system to the housing press system is used to precisely and automatically adjust the alignment as necessary before the housing and header are permanently affixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Ting Shi, Nathan Jones, Pavel Ploscariu, Rick Zheng, Ed Ramos
  • Patent number: 7366376
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for transmitting at least one electro-magnetic radiation is provided. In particular, at least one optical fiber having at least one end extending along a first axis may be provided. Further, a light transmissive optical arrangement may be provided in optical cooperation with the optical fiber. The optical arrangement may have a first surface having a portion that is perpendicular to a second axis, and a second surface which includes a curved portion. The first axis can be provided at a particular angle that is more than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Milen Shishkov, Brett Eugene Bouma, Guillermo J. Tearney
  • Publication number: 20080095497
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes a lens disposed between a port, such as a photodetector, and a light source, such as a fiber. The lens is aligned such that light emitted from the light source is focused by the lens onto the port. Between the lens and light source and/or lens and port, a low contrast medium is disposed to reduce reflection that could degrade signal strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Xin Simon Luo, Pei Chuang Chen, Leming Wang, Zhijie Wang
  • Publication number: 20080085077
    Abstract: An optical communication lens arranged between an optical element and an optical fiber terminal includes a first lens part having an aspherical convex shape facing the optical element, a second lens part having an aspherical convex shape facing the optical fiber terminal, and an intermediate part integrally formed with the first lens part and the second lens part therebetween. The first lens part, the second lens part and the intermediate part are integrally formed and are comprised of a resin having optical transparency. Shapes of the first lens part and the second lens part are asymmetric to each other. The second lens part is thicker than the first lens part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motonori MIYANARI, Naoshi SERIZAWA, Hisao MATSUKURA
  • Publication number: 20080080812
    Abstract: In the optical fiber collimator according to the invention, a transparent block having a refractive index that is substantially the same as the refractive indices of the lens and optical fiber is disposed between the lens and ferrule so that the block contacts the lens, ferrule, and optical fiber. The thickness of the block in the direction of beam transmission is set to be the same as the distance to the focal point from the end surface of the lens that is determined by the diameter and refractive index of the lens and the refractive index of the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Shigeru Kobayashi, Takehiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7343068
    Abstract: An optical module including first and second lens housings that individually receive first and second lenses; first and second optical fiber housings that individually receive end portions of optical fibers; first and second guide pins for positioning the first and second lens housings and the first and second optical fiber housings, with the first and second lens housings abutted against each other at their inner end faces and disposed between the first and second optical fiber units so as to be abutted thereto; two first positioning members provided between the first optical fiber housing and the first lens and between the second optical fiber housing and the second lens, respectively; and a second positioning member disposed between the first and second lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shigenaga, Katsuki Suematsu, Hiroshi Matsuura, Renichi Yuguchi, Takashi Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 7298943
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic optical component (400) comprising a light-absorbing layer and a waveguide structure (2). The invention is more particularly adapted to a monolithic component (400) comprising an evanescent coupling photodiode (6) integrated with the waveguide (2). The monolithic optical component (400) comprises a light-absorbing layer and a waveguide (2) evanescently coupled with the light-absorbing layer, the waveguide (2) having one end coupled to an input face (12) of the component to receive an input wave, the 10 component (400) being characterized in that the input face is convex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Avanex Corporation
    Inventors: Stephane Demiguel, Louis Giraudet, Mohand Achouche
  • Patent number: 7298942
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond W. Blasingame, Bo Su Chen, James C. Lee, James D. Orenstein, James K. Guenter
  • Publication number: 20070248301
    Abstract: A surface mount optical coupler includes a silicon substrate; an optical semiconductor device disposed on an upper surface of the silicon substrate; and a short bare fiber formed of vitreous silica. A V-shaped linear groove is formed in the upper surface of the silicon substrate. The V-shaped groove extends from one end surface of the silicon substrate toward a light emitting surface of the optical semiconductor device in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface. Further, the V-shape groove supports the short bare fiber. The short bare fiber has one end surface optically coupled with a light emitting portion of the light emitting surface. The short bare fiber has a length smaller than that of the V-shaped groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Tokihiro Terashima, Hiroshi Wada
  • Patent number: 7283703
    Abstract: An apparatus and system having an optoelectronic module, as well as a method of positioning the lens of the optoelectronic module in order to adjust the steering of a light beam are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Epitaux, Wilfried Noell, Yves Pétremand, Nicolaas-F. De Rooij
  • Publication number: 20070211999
    Abstract: The optical fiber connector of the present invention includes a housing having a ferrule receiving passageway and a lens receiving portion which is disposed on the front end portion of this ferrule receiving passageway. A central axis is coaxial with the central axis of the ferrule receiving passageway. A spherical lens is fastened to the lens receiving portion and a ferrule is inserted into the ferrule receiving passageway from the rear side and is incorporated with an optical fiber whose front end surface is perpendicular to the central axis. A transparent block having a refractive index that is substantially the same as the refractive indices of the lens and optical fiber is disposed between the lens and the ferrule so that this block contacts the lens, the ferrule, and the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Shigeru Kobayashi, Nobuaki Ohtsu, Takehiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7258495
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lensed fiber stub assemblies and optical and optoelectronic packages including them. The fiber stub assemblies include a section of lensed fiber having a lensed end having a lens face, and a distal end having an endface, a lens alignment ferrule affixed to and holding the lensed end of the lensed fiber, and a package attachment ferrule having a distal endface and an exterior surface, the package attachment ferrule affixed to and holding the distal end of the lensed fiber. The lensed fiber stub assemblies of the present invention allow for hermetic packaging of optical and optoelectronic devices, good manufacturing throughput, facile package connectorization, acceptable device thermal performance, and ease of alignment in the packaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Lawrence Charles Hughes, Jr., Karen Irene Matthews, William James Miller
  • Patent number: 7248413
    Abstract: A microscopic lens, of size approximately 1 micron is used for its optical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, James P. Brody
  • Publication number: 20070165981
    Abstract: Provided is an optical component for optical communication which is capable of suitably accepting a request to reduce a size, resisting a thermal expansion coefficient difference between constituent elements, and adjusting incident and exit modes relative to an end of an optical fiber to thereby constantly attain optical characteristics which correspond to the request. The optical component includes a fiber holding member (3) holding an optical fiber (2), and a lens (4) which is located on an optical path extending from an end of the optical fiber (2) and attached to the fiber holding member (3). A flat portion (4a) formed in a rear end of the lens (4) is bonded to be fixed to a flat portion (6a) of an end of the fiber holding member (3) such that the flat portion (4a) of the lens (4) is opposed to the end of the optical fiber (2). A gap is provided between the flat portion (4a) of the lens (4) and the end (2a) of the optical fiber (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Hirokazu Tanaka, Masanori Wada, Masaaki Kadomi
  • Patent number: 7231115
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical collimator-use lens component including: a thin tube; a partially spherical lens that has been fixed in an inner hole of the thin tube so that an insertion portion having a predetermined length is left, is made of glass whose refractive index is approximately uniform, and has translucent spherical surfaces, whose centers of curvature are approximately the same, at both ends of a cylindrical portion of the partially spherical lens; and an adhesive that bonds the partially spherical lens to the thin tube. An axial deviation amount between a center axis of the thin tube and an optical axis of the partially spherical lens is 5 ?m or less. When a capillary tube, in whose inner hole an optical fiber has been fixed and whose axial deviation amount between an outer peripheral surface of the capillary tube and a core center of an end surface of the optical fiber is 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Seto, Masaaki Kadomi, Hirokazu Tanaka, Hirokazu Takeuchi, Shintaro Ito
  • Patent number: 7228033
    Abstract: A spherical lens formed by fusing a generally homogenous glass lens blank to the distal end of an optical fiber, heating and tensioning the lens blank to separate it in two segments with the segment attached to the optical fiber defining a tapered end, and heating the lens blank above its softening point so that the spherical lens forms. The lens blank is fabricated from a 4 weight percent borosilicate glass having a softening point less than that of the core of the optical fiber. The lens member defines a throat region adjacent the optical fiber whose cross-sectional dimension is substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber, but substantially less than the diameter of the spherical lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Venkata A. Bhagavatula, John Himmelreich, Gregory E. Williams, Ljerka Ukrainczyk, Robert S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7218813
    Abstract: An optical communication system has a plastic optical fiber (POF) and an optical communication module. The POF has a spherical end surface, and light emitted from the spherical end surface has an NA of 0.35 or lower. The POF is installed in the module such that a light receiving surface of a light receiving element (PD) is at a distance, d, from an apex of the spherical end surface. The distance, d, is within a range of 0<d?r*D/(n?n1) when a PD diameter is not larger than D, and within a range of D?d?r*D/(n?n1) when the PD diameter is larger than D, where D is a diameter of the POF, r*D is a radius of curvature of the spherical end surface, n is a refractive index of a core of the POF, and n1 is a refractive index of a substance between the spherical end surface and the PD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yorishige Ishii, Tetsuo Iwaki, Toshihiro Tamura
  • Patent number: 7215849
    Abstract: To provide a connection structure between optical fibers and a connection method to couple optical fibers that make it possible to secure optical transmission, a connection structure between optical fibers includes a plurality of optical fibers, a base member provided over a substrate, and a connecting part provided on a top surface of the base member and joined to each of end surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7213982
    Abstract: An optoelectronic module includes a laser, a ball lens, a substrate, a reflector, and a focusing lens. The laser generates a diverging light beam along an optical axis. The ball lens has a center. The substrate has a surface supporting the laser and an alignment structure. The alignment structure registers the ball lens in a plane parallel to the substrate surface and in a direction normal to the substrate surface so that the center of the ball lens is substantially aligned with the optical axis and the ball lens parallelizes the diverging light beam into a collimated beam. The reflector deflects the collimated beam to produce a deflected collimated beam in a plane intersecting the substrate surface. The focusing lens focuses the deflected collimated beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ye Chen
  • Patent number: 7203391
    Abstract: An optical module 100 comprises a substrate 110 at which V-shaped groove 110a and 110b are formed through etching to extend along directions perpendicular to each other and a cube-type wavelength division multiplexer 150 that allows light to be transmitted or reflected on a 90° angle depending upon the wavelength of the light, lens elements 140a and 140b constituted of silicon, a light emitting element 120 that emits light to be directed to the outside via a lens element and the wavelength division multiplexer and a light receiving element 130 that receives incoming light from the outside via the wavelength division multiplexer and a lens element, all disposed on the substrate. The components, which contribute to miniaturization of the module, can be mounted all together on a single substrate and thus, the mass productivity is greatly improved and the module can be offered at a more affordable price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Uekawa, Takeshi Takamori, Hironri Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7200335
    Abstract: An optical transceiver is equipped with at least one coupling lens which condenses reception signal light from an optical medium and condenses transmission signal light to the optical medium, an optical plate which passes the reception signal light and reflects the transmission signal light, a light receiving element which receives the reception signal light passed through the optical plate, and a light emitting element which transmits the transmission signal light so as to be reflected by the optical plate, wherein an emission port of the transmission signal light of the light emitting element is arranged at a position to enable the transmission signal light from the light emitting element to form an image in the optical medium via the optical plate and the coupling lens, and wherein the emission port of the transmission signal light of the light emitting element is arranged in a direction that makes the incident angle formed on the optical plate by the beam center line of the transmission signal light trans
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Tsumori, Haruo Tanaka, Tomohiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7177506
    Abstract: A bench-joining optical component and a first optical component are aligned on a first optical bench, and then rigidly coupled to the first bench, in order to form a first portion of an optical subassembly. Following completion of the first portion, all components in the first portion are pre-aligned and fixed with respect to each other, moving as a unit. A third optical component is aligned and permanently coupled to a second optical bench, in order to form a second portion of the optical sub-assembly. The first and second portions of optical sub-assembly are combined by positioning an exposed side of the bench joining optical component on the second bench, aligning the bench-joining optical component with the third optical component on the second bench, and permanently securing the bench-joining optical component to the second bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: 4 Wave, Inc.
    Inventors: David Alan Baldwin, Michael Joseph Minnemann
  • Patent number: 7151874
    Abstract: An optical coupling element for use in large numerical aperture collecting and condensing systems. The optical coupling element includes a curved surface such as a lens at the output of a tapered light pipe (TLP). The TLP in combination with the curved surface alters the divergence angle and the area of the light exiting the curved surface. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source is collected and focused onto a target by positioning the source of electromagnetic radiation substantially at a first focal point of a primary reflector so that the primary reflector produces rays of radiation reflected from the primary reflector that converge at a second focal point of the secondary reflector. The optical coupling element is positioned so that its input end is substantially proximate with the second focal point of the secondary reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Wavien, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
  • Patent number: 7136552
    Abstract: An optical interface between an optical fiber and a photodiode is provided. The optical fiber has an end. The optical interface includes a lens located such that a chief ray of an optical signal outputted at said end traverses a center of the lens. The lens may be a ball lens or a lens having an orientation such that the chief ray is incident substantially normal to a center of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Emcore Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Simon Luo, Bryon Lynn Kasper, Nghia Kha, Xiaoming Lou
  • Patent number: 7128943
    Abstract: A microlens is affixed in the far field of an optical fiber to spatially transform a beam either entering or exiting the fiber. In a first embodiment, a droplet of photo polymer is placed on the end of an optical fiber and the fiber is spun to create an artificial gravity. The droplet is cured by UV radiation during the spinning. In a second embodiment, nanoparticles are mixed into the droplet to increase the refractive index of the photo polymer. A third embodiment employs artificial gravity to attach a microsphere to the end of the optical fiber. A fourth embodiment chemically treats the surface of the microsphere so that the requirement of artificial gravity is either reduced or eliminated. In a fifth embodiment the droplet is cured under equlibrium or nonequilibrium conditions to obtain different final shapes for the lenslet. A sixth embodiment discloses fabrication of microlens arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: Nicholas Djeu
  • Patent number: 7128476
    Abstract: A photonic integrated chip having low insertion loss and facilitating alignment of the optical fiber with an optical device, preferably a waveguide or optical detector. The photonic integrated chip includes an optical fiber having a substantially spherical lens attached to one end. The device includes an etched via that receives the spherical lens attached to the optical fiber. An optical device is aligned with the via opposite the spherical lens such that light transmitted through the spherical lens is transmitted to the optical device. An anti-reflection coating is preferably applied on the end of the optical device abutting the via and the surface of the spherical lens to reduce scattering and insertion loss during transmission of data from the spherical lens to the optical device. Index matching fluid is alternatively disposed between the spherical lens and the via for this same purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the National Security Agency
    Inventors: Paul John Boudreaux, Duane Anthony Satorius
  • Patent number: 7088518
    Abstract: A multiband wavelength multiplexed optical device for bidirectional communication over one light path. The device may use dichroic filters or reflectors, or other mechanisms for wavelength or bandwidth separation or discrimination of sent or received light signals. It may have a multitude of light sources and detectors for sending and receiving light signals such as those for optical-based communications, controls and so forth. For instance, the optical device may be utilized in transceiver systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy A. Tatum, James K. Guenter
  • Patent number: 7068883
    Abstract: A fiber optic apparatus comprising a biconvex optical lens having two equivalent aspheric optical surfaces; an optical fiber approximately located at one of a front focal plane and a back focal plane of the optical lens; and a structure positioned relative to the optical lens and the optical fiber, wherein the structure maintains the position of the optical lens relative to the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Ludington, Joseph R. Bietry