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US 2003/0194186 A1Published application
Alignment of optical waveguides
AssigneeNational Research Council of Canada
InventorsRod Taylor, Cyril Hnatovsky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In order to make alignable optical waveguides, an alignment structure is formed on at least one opposable end of the waveguides by selective chemical etching of different portions of the waveguides. The waveguides can then be brought into alignment with the alignment structure. Preferably, a pair of complementary alignment structures are formed on opposed ends of adjoining waveguides.
Claims41
A method of aligning optical waveguides having portions with different etch characteristics, comprising:
- forming an alignment structure on at least one opposable end of said waveguides by selective chemical etching of said portions relative to each other;
- and
- bringing said waveguides into alignment with the aid of said alignment structure.
A method of aligning optical waveguides having portions with different etch characteristics, comprising:
- providing an alignment structure on at least one opposable end of said waveguides by selective chemical etching of said portions relative to each other;
- gradually bringing said opposable ends together;
- monitoring the relative position of said alignment structure as a gap between said opposable ends closes;
- and
- effecting relative positioning of said waveguides to bring said waveguides into alignment.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.