Fiber launcher
AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Systems Corporation
InventorsGregory D. Goodno, Joshua E. Rothenberg, James G. Ho
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical fiber launcher assembly can include a low precision fiber array that outputs a plurality of optical signals from a given side that are input into an opposing side. The optical fiber launcher assembly can also include a corrective optic aligned with and spaced apart from the low precision fiber array. The plurality of optical signals output from the low precision array to the corrective optic have a given trajectory and optical signals output from the corrective optic have a substantially parallel trajectory different from the given trajectory.
Claims20
An optical fiber launcher assembly comprising:
- a low precision fiber array that outputs a plurality of optical signals from a given side that are input into an opposing side, wherein low precision fiber array comprises:
- an optical slab forming the given side of the low precision fiber array;
- and
- a plurality of endcaps adhered to the optical slab, wherein each of the plurality of endcaps receives a corresponding one of the plurality of optical signals at the opposing side of the low precision fiber array;
- and
- a corrective optic aligned with and spaced apart from the low precision fiber array, wherein the plurality of optical signals output from the low precision array to the corrective optic have a given trajectory and optical signals output from the corrective optic have a substantially parallel trajectory different from the given trajectory.
A method comprising:
- performing metrology on a plurality of light beams output by a low precision fiber array to determine a composite profile for the plurality of light beams;
- calculating a corrective map for a corrective optic;
- fabricating the corrective optic based on the corrective map;
- and
- affixing the corrective optic at a predetermined distance from a low precision fiber array, wherein light beams output by the corrective optic propagate in a substantially parallel direction.
A method comprising:
- performing metrology on a plurality of light beams that pass through a low precision fiber array to determine a composite profile for the plurality of light beams;
- fabricating the corrective optic based on a corrective map that characterizes a surface height of a plurality of microlenses in the corrective optic and the corrective map is based on the composite profile;
- and
- affixing the corrective optic a predetermined distance from the low precision fiber array, wherein light beams output by the corrective optic propagate in a substantially parallel direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.