US 10,473,860 B1 · Compact devices for multiplexing applications

Abstract

Disclosed is a compact device for wavelength-division multiplexing applications. In particular, disclosed is a device that includes a housing and a core at least partially positioned within the housing. The core includes a first single fiber stub, a second single fiber stub, and at least one functional layer positioned between a first fiber of the first single fiber stub and a second fiber of the second single fiber stub. The at least one functional layer is configured to: (i) permit routing of a transmission signal of a multiplexed signal along an optical path from the first fiber stub to the second fiber stub, and (ii) prevent routing of a non-transmission signal of the multiplexed signal along the optical path from the first fiber stub to the second fiber stub. A distance between a first ferrule of the first fiber stub and a second ferrule of the second fiber stub is less than about 0.05 mm.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A device for multiplexing, comprising:

a housing;
and
a core at least partially positioned within the housing, the core comprising:
a first single fiber stub comprising a first ferrule and a first fiber at least partially positioned within the first ferrule, the first fiber configured for optical communication of a multiplexed signal comprising a transmission signal and a non-transmission signal;
a second single fiber stub comprising a second ferrule and a second fiber at least partially positioned within the second ferrule, the second fiber configured for optical communication of the transmission signal;
and
at least one functional layer positioned between the first fiber and the second fiber;
wherein the at least one functional layer is configured to:
(i) permit routing of the transmission signal of the multiplexed signal along an optical path from the first fiber to the second fiber, and (ii) prevent routing of the non-transmission signal of the multiplexed signal along the optical path from the first fiber to the second fiber;
and
wherein a distance between the first ferrule and the second ferrule is less than about 1 micron.

8 more elements

A method of forming a compact device for multiplexing and demultiplexing, comprising:

positioning a first fiber stub proximate a first side of a functional layer, wherein the first fiber stub comprises a first ferrule and a first fiber at least partially positioned within the first ferrule, the first fiber configured for optical communication of a multiplexed signal comprising a transmission signal and a non-transmission signal;
and
positioning a second fiber stub proximate a second side of the functional layer, the second fiber stub comprising a second ferrule and a second fiber at least partially positioned within the second ferrule, the second fiber configured for optical communication of the transmission signal, wherein a distance between the first ferrule and the second ferrule is less than about 1 micron and the functional layer is configured to:
(i) permit routing of the transmission signal of the multiplexed signal from the first fiber within the first ferrule to the second fiber within the second ferrule, and (ii) prevent routing of the non-transmission signal of the multiplexed signal from the first fiber to the second fiber.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compact devices for multiplexing applications

Life of this patent

Compact devices for multiplexing applications

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24