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US 2003/0156279 A1Published application
Low force optical fiber auto-alignment system
AssigneeFinisar Corporation
InventorsTing Shi, Dallas Meyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various techniques are disclosed to align an optical fiber with a light source or a photo-detector using a low-force contact.
Claims25
A method of aligning an optical fiber with a light source or a photo-detector comprising:
- measuring an optical alignment value at a first location with the fiber and light source or photo-detector in contact;
- moving the fiber to a second location with the fiber and light source or photodetector separated;
- and
- measuring a second alignment value at the second location with the fiber and light source or photo-detector in contact.
1 more element
A method of aligning an optical fiber with a light source or a photo-detector comprising:
- locating the optical fiber at a first position near the light source or photo-detector;
- moving the fiber towards the light source or the photo-detector;
- detecting contact of the fiber with the light source or the photo-detector;
- measuring an optical alignment value;
- separating the fiber from the light source or photo-detector;
- re-locating the fiber to another position near the light source or photo-detector;
- repeating the moving towards, detecting, measuring, separating and relocating until a predetermined number of measurements are taken;
- and
- subsequently moving the fiber to an alignment location based on the measurements.
6 more elements
A method of aligning an optical fiber with a light source or a photo-detector comprising:
- determining a stick-slip force for a predetermined contact force between the optical fiber and the light source or photo-detector;
- locating the fiber at a first position on the light source or photo-detector;
- applying the predetermined contact force between the fiber and the light source or photo-detector;
- measuring an optical alignment value;
- and
- re-locating the fiber to a second position on the light source or photo-detector, the second position remote enough from the first position to at least overcome the stick-slip force.
3 more elements
A method of aligning an optical fiber with a light source or a photo-detector comprising:
- locating the optical fiber a first distance from the light source or photo-detector;
- aligning an optical axis of the optical fiber with an optical axis of the light source or photo-detector;
- re-locating the fiber to a second distance from the light source or photo-detector;
- re-aligning the optical axis of the optical fiber with the optical axis of the light source or photo-detector;
- and
- calculating an intersection point of the fiber on the light source or photo-detector wherein the optical axes are aligned.
3 more elements
A system for aligning an optical fiber with a light source comprising:
- an X-Y stage coupled to the optical fiber to locate the fiber with respect to a position of the light source;
- a Z-stage coupled to the fiber to move the fiber toward or away from the light source;
- a load detector coupled between the fiber and the light source to sense a contact force of the fiber with the light source;
- and
- a device positioned to measure an output of the fiber when the fiber is in contact with the light source.
2 more elements
A system for aligning an optical fiber with a photo-detector comprising:
- a light source coupled to the optical fiber;
- an X-Y stage coupled to the optical fiber to locate the fiber with respect to a position of the photo-detector;
- a Z-stage coupled to the fiber to move the fiber toward or away from the light source or photo-detector;
- a load detector coupled between the fiber and the photo-detector to sense a contact force of the fiber with the photo-detector;
- and
- a device positioned to measure an output of the photo-detector when the fiber is in contact with the photo-detector.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.