US 2003/0164959 A1 · Method and apparatus for integrating optical fibers with collimating lenses

Abstract

A two-dimensional optical switch (10) includes a hermetically sealed housing (41) cooperable with several input fibers (11-18) and several output fibers (21-28). A digital micromirror device (71) is disposed within the housing, and can selectively effect travel of radiation between each input fiber and any one of the output fibers. The housing includes two lens sections (56, 57), which each have a platelike support portion (106), and several lens portions (111-118) of approximately semi-spherical shape that project from the inner side of the support portion. Each of the input fibers is fixedly secured to an outer side of one lens section in alignment with a respective lens portion thereon, and each of the output fibers is fixedly secured to the outside of the other lens section in alignment with a respective lens portion thereon.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a base;
a plurality of optical parts supported on said base;
a lens section which includes a support portion made of an optically transmissive material, and a plurality of lens portions made of an optically transmissive material and provided at spaced locations on a first side of said support portion, said lens section being supported in a fixed relationship with respect to said base so that said lens portions are each in alignment with a respective said optical part;
and
a plurality of optical fibers which each have an end secured to said support portion on a second side thereof opposite from said first side, each said optical fiber having said end thereof in alignment with a respective one of said lens portions.

2 more elements

A method, comprising the steps of:

supporting a plurality of optical parts on a base;
adjusting a lens section to a selected position with respect to said base, said lens section including a support portion made of an optically transmissive material, and including a plurality of lens portions made of an optically transmissive material and provided at spaced locations on a first side of said support portion, wherein in said selected position said lens portions are each aligned with a respective said optical part;
fixedly securing said lens section in said selected position with respect to said base;
positioning an end of each of a plurality of optical fibers to be adjacent said support portion on a second side thereof opposite from said first side, and to be in an alignment position with respect to a respective said lens portion;
and
fixedly attaching said end of each said fiber to said second side of said support portion.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for integrating optical fibers with collimating lenses

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for integrating optical fibers with collimating lenses

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20