Back-reflection reduction device

An optical system comprising:

• a plurality of optical waveguides for transmitting light in a predetermined wavelength range;
• a support structure that contains the plurality of optical waveguides, the support structure having a substantially flat end face at which the optical waveguides terminate, the optical waveguides being substantially perpendicular to the end face;
• a bulk media positioned to receive light exiting the plurality of optical waveguides;
• a window having an inner side and an opposing outer side, the inner side being affixed over substantially its entire area to the flat end face;
• wherein a gap exists between the window outer side and the bulk media, the gap providing an index refraction substantially equal to unity in the predetermined wavelength range of the light passing through the gap;
• and
• wherein the window has a refractive index that is substantially identical to that of the optical waveguides in the predetermined wavelength range of the transmitted light.

A back-reflection reduction device between a support structure containing a plurality of optical waveguides for transmitting light in a predetermined wavelength range and a bulk media, the support structure having a substantially flat end face at which the optical waveguides terminate, the optical waveguides being substantially perpendicular to the end face, the back-reflection reduction device comprising:

• a window having an inner side affixed to the support structure and an opposing outer side, a window thickness being the distance between the window inner side and the window outer side;
• wherein a gap exists between the window outer side and the bulk media, the gap providing an index of refraction substantially equal to unity in the predetermined wavelength range of the light transmitted through the optical waveguides;
• wherein the window has a refractive index that is substantially identical to that of the optical waveguides in the predetermined wavelength range of the transmitted light;
• and
• an alignment mechanism for adjusting the relative position of the support structure and the bulk media.

An optical system comprising:

• a plurality of optical waveguides for transmitting light in a predetermined wavelength range;
• a support structure that contains the plurality of optical waveguides, the support structure having a substantially flat end face at which the optical waveguides terminate, the optical waveguides being substantially perpendicular to the end face;
• a bulk media positioned to receive light exiting the plurality of optical waveguides;
• a window having an inner side affixed to the support structure and an opposing outer side, a window thickness being the distance between the window inner side and the window outer side;
• wherein a gap exists between the window outer side and the bulk media, the gap providing an index refraction substantially equal to unity in the predetermined wavelength range of the light passing through the gap;
• wherein the window has a refractive index that is substantially identical to that of the optical waveguides in the predetermined wavelength range of the transmitted light;
• and
• an alignment mechanism for adjusting the relative position of the support structure and the bulk media.