Multi-mode optical circuit to couple light between various optical elements and method of fabricating same

Abstract

This invention comprises an optical circuit for the coupling of multi-mode optical fibers to, from and between other fibers, sources, detectors, and other optical elements, and method of fabricating same. The optical circuits of this invention can have round waveguides to provide a better match with round fibers, resulting in higher efficiency, lower loss, and other improvements. A substrate having a relatively low index of refraction is either machined or molded such that semi-circular grooves are formed in substrate surfaces. When two such substrates are aligned and adhered together, tubular channels in a substrate result. The design and placement of these tubular channels can be such that any number of optical functions can be performed, including splitting, tapping, mixing, and coupling. The optical circuits of this invention are relatively easy to manufacture and inexpensive, and exhibit low propagation and coupling loss.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.