Characterization of optical preforms
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsMichael W. Linder, Joseph F. Ellison
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method for characterizing an optical preform. To achieve this, the present invention provides a three-dimensional map of the refractive-index distribution within a boule or an optical preform. The three-dimensional map of the refractive-index distribution allows device manufacturers to better predict the performance of the optical device. The three-dimensional map also allows device manufacturers to determine the best orientation of the preform during device extraction.
Claims76
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure, the data structure including data representing a characteristic of an optical member, the data structure comprising:
- at least one field containing information corresponding to a three-dimensional map of the optical member, the map including a plurality of refractive index measurements taken at a plurality of interior locations within the optical member.
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for characterizing an optical member, the method comprising:
- providing information corresponding to a plurality of refractive index measurements taken at a plurality of interior locations within the optical member;
- and
- converting the information into a three-dimensional map of the optical member, the three-dimensional map including a plurality of refractive index values distributed throughout the interior of the optical member.
A method for making an optical device having specified refractive-index characteristics, the optical device being derived from a boule being dimensionally characterized by a radial axis and an axis normal to the radial axis, the method comprising:
- extracting a radial strip from the boule, the strip having a cross-sectional area in a plane formed by the radial axis and the axis normal to the radial axis;
- taking a plurality of refractive index measurements of the strip at a plurality of locations in the cross-sectional area;
- and
- converting the plurality of refractive index measurements into a three-dimensional map of the boule, the three-dimensional map including a plurality of calculated refractive index values distributed throughout the interior of the boule.
A method for processing a request for an optical device having predetermined refractive-index characteristics, the method comprising:
- taking a plurality of refractive index measurements at a plurality of interior locations within a boule;
- converting the plurality of refractive index measurements into a three-dimensional map of the boule, the three-dimensional map including a plurality of refractive index values distributed throughout the interior of the optical member;
- and
- providing information corresponding to the three-dimensional map.
A method for making an optical device having predetermined refractive-index characteristics, the optical device being derived from a boule being dimensionally characterized by a radial axis and an axis normal to the radial axis, the method comprising:
- placing the boule in a measurement tool;
- disposing index-matching fluid in an interface volume formed between the boule and the measurement tool, the index-matching fluid having a predetermined refractive index substantially identical to the refractive index of the measurement tool;
- taking at least one set of refractive index measurements of the boule by directing light into the boule via the measurement tool, the light being directed in a direction normal to a plane formed by the radial axis and the axis normal to the radial axis;
- and
- converting the set of refractive index measurements into a three-dimensional map of the boule, the three-dimensional map including a plurality of calculated refractive index values distributed throughout the interior of the boule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.