Optical fiber LED assembly

Abstract

An optical fiber LED assembly for coupling light from a light source element to an optical fiber via a rod lens with distributed refractive index provides improved stability by controlling deterioration in the optical coupling efficiency of the assembly with a lapse of time. The light source element includes a light emitting element which radiates light through a transparent aperture-covering plate of a can in which it is located. The light source element is supported by a first cylindrical holder. A second cylindrical holder supports a rod lens with distributed refractive index at one end thereof and accepts and supports the distal end of an optical fiber ferrule. The second cylindrical holder is inserted and fixed in the first cylindrical holder, the rod lens with distributed refractive index being directed toward the transparent aperture-covering plate of the light source element. A seal ring is inserted in the first holder between the light emitting element and the second holder and a refractive index matching agent is hermetically charged in the space formed by the transparent aperture-covering plate and the second holder.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.