Optical surface-mount lens cell
AssigneeNetwork Photonics, Inc.
InventorDavid Paul Anderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for housing an optical element are provided. A ring is configured with a symmetry that corresponds to that of the optical element and for bonding with the optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the optical element. An axial retaining spring may be provided for securing the optical element within an optical-system assembly. The axial retaining spring includes axial constraint fingers to engage a subsequent optical component and structures adapted to apply a point load at selected locations on the optical element.
Claims50
A cell for housing an optical element that forms part of an optical-system assembly, the cell comprising:
- a ring having a symmetry corresponding to that of the optical element and configured for bonding with the optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the optical element.
A method for housing an optical element that forms part of an optical system assembly, the method comprising:
- aligning an optical axis of the optical element to be coincident with a symmetry axis of a ring;
- and
- bonding an optical surface of the optical element with the ring at a periphery of the optical element.
An axial retaining spring for securing a first optical component to a second optical component, the axial retaining spring comprising:
- a body having a symmetry axis corresponding to a common symmetry of the first and second optical components;
- a plurality of axial constraint fingers extending from the body substantially parallel to the symmetry axis and configured to engage the second optical component;
- and
- a plurality of structures on the body adapted to apply a point load at selected locations on the first optical component.
An optical-system assembly comprising:
- a first optical component including:
- a first optical element;
- and
- a ring having a symmetry corresponding to that of the first optical element and bonded with the first optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the first optical element;
- and
- a second optical component including:
- a base;
- and
- a plurality of engagement members connected with the base and configured for engagement with the ring of the first optical component.
The optical-system assembly recited in claim 33 wherein the first optical component further includes integral flexures adapted to secure the fasteners when enganged with the fastener holes.
A method for fabricating an optical-system assembly, the method comprising:
- aligning an optical axis of a first optical element to be coincident with a symmetry axis of a ring;
- bonding an optical surface of the optical element with the ring at a periphery of the optical element;
- and
- securing the ring to a base.
An optical-system assembly comprising:
- first optical means having a first optical axis;
- support means having a symmetry axis, wherein the support means is bonded on an optical surface of the first optical means such that the first optical axis is coincident with the symmetry axis;
- interface means connected with the support means;
- and
- engagement means comprised by an optical component, the engagement means being engaged with the interface means.
A wavelength router for receiving, at an input port, light having a plurality of spectral bands and directing subsets of the spectral bands to respective ones of a plurality of output ports, the wavelength router comprising:
- a free-space optical train disposed between the input port and the output ports providing optical paths for routing the spectral bands, the optical train including:
- a first optical component having:
- a first lens element;
- and
- a ring having a symmetry corresponding to that of the first lens element and bonded with the first lens element on an optical surface at a periphery of the first lens element;
- and
- a second optical component secured with the first optical component, the second optical component having:
- abase;
- and
- a plurality of engagement members connected with the base and configured for engagement with the ring of the first optical component;
- and
- a dispersive element disposed within the base to intercept light traveling from the input port;
- and
- a routing mechanism having at least one dynamically configurable routing element to direct a given spectral band to different output ports, depending on a state of the dynamically configurable routing element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.