Method of aligning optical fibers in an array member
OwnerJoseph L. Dallas, Angelique X. Irvin +3inventors
InventorsJoseph L. Dallas, Angelique X. Irvin, Robert W. Irvin, Ralph S. Jameson, William A. Mamakos
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method of fabricating a multi-fiber array in which optical fibers are actively aligned to their target positions. The method includes providing an array member for receiving optical fibers, forming in the array member through-holes, placing the optical fibers in the respective through-holes, applying adhesive into the respective through-holes, adjusting position of each optical fiber so that the optical fibers are aligned in accordance with reference measurements, and curing the adhesive to fix the optical fibers aligned in the respective through-holes.
Claims23
A method for fabricating an array of optical fibers, comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate for receiving the optical fibers;
- forming in the substrate through-holes;
- placing the optical fibers in the respective through-holes;
- applying adhesive into the respective through-holes, each of the optical fibers being coated with the adhesive in corresponding one of the through-holes;
- adjusting a position of each optical fiber after said placing the optical fibers in the respective through holes and after said applying adhesive into the respective through holes;
- and
- curing the adhesive to fix the optical fibers in the respective through-holes.
An array of a plurality of optical fibers, comprising:
- a substrate having through-holes each extending in parallel with each other in a longitudinal direction of the through-holes;
- adhesive filled in the respective through-holes;
- and
- the plurality of optical fibers placed in the respective through-holes, each of the optical fibers being coated with the adhesive in corresponding one of the through-holes;
- wherein cores of the optical fibers are aligned in accordance with reference measurements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.