Connectorized silicon bench for passively aligning optical fibers
AssigneeNational Semiconductor Corporation
InventorPeter Deane
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connectorized silicon bench and ferrule that aids in the passive alignment of optical fibers to optical components on the bench. The apparatus includes a bench having an optical component, a groove formed in the bench, the groove configured to accommodate an optical fiber; and a ferrule, including a recess region to accommodate the optic fiber when the ferrule is mounted onto the bench. The groove and the ferrule cooperate to passively align the optical fiber and the optical component on the bench. A connector sleeve, which accommodates the silicon bench and ferrule, includes a receptacle that is configured to receive a plug-in connector which optically couples the optical fiber to an optical network or link.
Claims14
An apparatus, comprising:
- a bench having an optical component
- a groove formed in the beach, the groove configured to accommodate an optical fiber;
- a ferrule, including a recess region to accommodate the optic fiber when the ferrule is mounted onto the bench, the groove and the ferrule being configured to passively aligning the optical fiber and the optical component on the bench and;
- a cylindrical shaped connector sleeve defining a receptacle having a first opening located at a first end of the cylindrical shaped connector sleeve and a second opening located at an opposite second end of the cylindrical shaped connector sleeve, the first opening being configured to receive within to receptacle the silicon bench and ferrule and the second opening being configured to receive a plug-in connector within the receptacle of the cylindrical taped connector sleeve, the silicon bench, ferrule and plug-in connector all configured to be optically aligned within the cylindrical shaped connector sleeve.
A method of assembling an optical connector, comprising:
- positioning an optical component and lens or waveguide onto a bench;
- inserting a fiber optic cable into a stepped ferrule which accommodates the bench;
- placing the ferrule in a groove on the bench, the groove and ferrule cooperating together to optically align the fiber optic cable and the optical component on the bench;
- and
- providing a cylindrical shaped connector sleeve around the silicon bench and ferrule, the cylindrical shaped connector sleeve including a first opening located at a first end of the cylindrical shaped connector sleeve to receive the silicon bench and ferrule and a second opening located at a second opposite end of the cylindrical shaped connector sleeve configured to receive a plug in connector that optically couples the fiber optic cable with an optical network or link, the silicon bench, ferrule and plug-in connector all optically aligned within the cylindrical shaped connector sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.