Optical Element with mechanical alignment and method of making same
AssigneePolymicro Technologies, LLC
InventorRobert B. Acuna
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A product and process for fabricating an optical element from a capillary ferrule includes fusing the optical element onto an optical fiber. The optical element starts with a capillary ferrule that is sculpted on one end to form an optical property such as a flat window, ball lens, angled endface or other sculpted shape. The ferrule is fused onto an optical fiber that has been inserted into the ID of the capillary ferrule. As a result, the ferrule serves as a mechanical aligner for the optical element to fiber fusion process.
Claims8
A method of manufacturing an optical element comprising:
- positioning a capillary tube having a selected length in a machining station;
- inserting an optical fiber into an opening of the capillary tube, leaving at least a distal portion of the capillary tubing empty;
- heating the distal portion of the capillary tube to form an optical element mass;
- fusing the optical element mass to and end of the optical fiber;
- and
- machining the optical element mass to produce an optical element having a selected final geometry.
An optical element manufactured in accordance with a method comprising:
- positioning a capillary tube having a selected length in a machining station;
- inserting an optical fiber into an opening of the capillary tubing, leaving at least a distal portion of the capillary tube empty;
- heating the distal portion of the capillary tube to form an optical element mass;
- fusing the optical element mass to and end of the optical fiber;
- and
- machining the optical element mass to produce an optical element having a selected final geometry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.