Optical collimator and method for making same
AssigneeHon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
InventorsYao-Hao Chang, Chih Chiang Chang, Kun-Tsan Wu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical collimator (20) includes an optical fiber (21), a metal ferrule (22), a Graded Index (GRIN) lens (23) and an outer metal tube (24). The optical fiber has an exposed end (211) which is coated with metal. The exposed end of the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule and laser welded thereto. The GRIN lens is also coated with metal. A plurality of soldering holes (241) is defined in a periphery of the outer tube. Solder is applied to the ferrule and the GRIN lens through the holes to firmly connect the outer tube, the ferrule and the GRIN lens together. After assembly, if the position of the GRIN lens or the optical fiber is found to be inaccurate, the GRIN lens and the ferrule can be easily resoldered.
Claims13
An optical collimator comprising:
- an optical fiber having an exposed end which is coated with metal;
- a metallic ferrule, the exposed end of the optical fiber extended in the ferrule and welded thereto thereby sealing the optical fiber;
- a Graded Index lens coated with metal;
- and
- a metallic outer tube, the Graded Index lens and the ferrule received in the tube and secured thereto by soldering.
A method for forming an optical collimator, comprising the following steps:
- preparing an optical fiber, removing a cladding of the optical fiber to exposed an end of the optical fiber, and coating the exposed end with metal;
- preparing a metal ferrule, inserting the exposed end of the optical fiber into the ferrule and welding the exposed end to the ferrule;
- preparing a metal tube and a Graded Index lens, coating the Graded Index lens with metal, and inserting the Graded Index lens and the ferrule into the tube from opposite open ends of the tube;
- and
- soldering the Graded Index lens and the ferrule to the tube.
An exopy-free optical collimator comprising:
- a metallic ferrule enclosing an optical fiber therein;
- a GRIN lens coated with a metal layer circumferentially;
- and
- a metallic outer tube radially defining through holes;
- wherein
- said ferrule and said GRIN lens are head to head inserted into two opposite sides of the tube and fixed to the tube via solder through said through holes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.