US 12,663,590 B2 · Optical fiber positioning apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning one or more optical fibers relative to the apparatus, comprises a body comprising material, and one or more fiber alignment structures defined in the material of the body, wherein each fiber alignment structure is configured to accommodate a corresponding optical fiber, and wherein each fiber alignment structure is configured to induce one or more bends along the corresponding optical fiber. When an optical fiber is located in such a fiber alignment structure, the optical fiber may be forced into contact with the fiber alignment structure in one or more known regions so that the corresponding optical fiber is located at a more predictable position relative to the corresponding fiber alignment structure in the one or more known regions than is the case for known fiber alignment structures. The location of the corresponding optical fiber at a more predictable position may improve the optical coupling efficiency achievable between the optical fiber and an optical component and/or a photonic chip.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for positioning one or more optical fibers relative to the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a body comprising material;
and
one or more fiber alignment structures defined in the material of the body,
wherein individual fiber alignment structures of the one or more fiber alignment structures are configured to accommodate a corresponding optical fiber, and
wherein individual fiber alignment structures of the one or more fiber alignment structures are configured to induce one or more bends along the corresponding optical fiber,
wherein individual fiber alignment structures of the one or more fiber alignment structures extend along a path which is at least partially curved,
wherein individual fiber alignment structures of the one or more fiber alignment structures comprise a passage extending along the at least partially curved path through the body from a corresponding first opening at a first surface of the body to a corresponding second opening at a second surface of the body, wherein the first and second openings are offset relative to one another, wherein the passage has a clear aperture defined as a difference between a diameter of the passage and the offset, and wherein the clear aperture is less than or equal to a minimum diameter of the corresponding optical fiber.

4 more elements

An apparatus for positioning one or more optical fibers relative to the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a body comprising material;
one or more fiber alignment structures defined in the material of the body;
and
wherein a plurality of fiber alignment features is defined in the material of the body in a surface of individual fiber alignment structures of the one or more fiber alignment structures,
wherein individual fiber alignment features of the plurality of fiber alignment features of individual fiber alignment structures of the one or more fiber alignment structures are configured to accommodate a corresponding optical fiber,
wherein individual fiber alignment features of the plurality of fiber alignment features of individual fiber alignment structures of the one or more fiber alignment structures define a position of the corresponding optical fiber relative to the corresponding fiber alignment structure,
wherein individual fiber alignment features of the plurality of fiber alignment features of individual fiber alignment structures of the one or more fiber alignment structures comprise a protrusion which protrudes from a surface of a corresponding fiber alignment structure.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optical fiber positioning apparatus

Life of this patent

Optical fiber positioning apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20