# US 7,460,747 B2 · Waveguide and optical cable module

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- Number: US 7,460,747 B2
- Document ID: US7460747B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/638,155
- Filed: 2006-12-13
- Published: 2007-06-21
- Granted: 2008-12-02
- Earliest claimed: 2005-12-16
- Assignees: OMRON Corporation
- Inventors: Junichi Tanaka; Hirokatsu Nakayama; Naru Yasuda; Hayami Hosokawa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7460747B2

## CPC

- G02B 6/4214: {the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device (G02B6/4246 takes precedence)}
- G02B 6/125: Bends, branchings or intersections
- G02B 6/43: Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections
- G02B 2006/12104: {Mirror; Reflectors or the like}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A waveguide includes a core part, clad layer surrounding the core part about an optical axis of the core part, and an optical path conversion mirror formed at the end face of at least one of the core part or the clad layer. The optical path conversion mirror converts an optical path of a signal light. The shape of the end face of the core part and the shape of the end face of the clad layer are different in the optical path conversion mirror.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A waveguide, comprising:
a core part;
a clad layer surrounding the core part about an optical axis of the core part; and
an optical path conversion mirror formed at the end face of at least one of the core part or the clad layer; wherein
the optical path conversion mirror converts an optical path of a signal light; and
the shape of the end face of the core part and the shape of the end face of the clad layer are different in the optical path conversion mirror, such that the end face of the core part reflects light toward a light receiving element and/or light emitting element fixed below the waveguide, and the end face of the clad layer reflects light toward a direction other than the light receiving element and/or light emitting element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the end face of the core part and the end face of the clad layer are not parallel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the end face of the clad layer is formed as a concave face in the optical path conversion mirror.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The waveguide according to claim 3, wherein the elasticity of the material used for the clad layer is greater than the elasticity of the material used for the core part.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the surface roughness at the end face of the clad layer is greater than the surface roughness at the end face of the core part in the optical path conversion mirror.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the end face of the core part is formed to a convex face in the optical path conversion mirror.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The waveguide according to claim 6, wherein the elasticity of the material used for the core part is greater than the elasticity of the material used for the clad layer part.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The waveguide according to claim 1, wherein a reflective coating is formed only at the end face of the core part in the optical path conversion mirror.

### Claim 9

An optical cable module, comprising:
a waveguide;
a light receiving element and/or light emitting clement positioned at the end of the waveguide; and
an electrical connecting part connected to the light receiving element and/or the light emitting element by electrical wiring; wherein
the wave guide comprising:
a core part;
a clad layer surrounding the core part about an optical axis of the core part; and
an optical path conversion mirror formed at the end face of at least one of the core part or the clad layer; wherein
the optical path conversion mirror converts an optical path of a signal light; and wherein
the shape of the end face of the core part and the shape of the end face of the clad layer are different in the optical path conversion mirror, such that the end face of the core part reflects light toward the light receiving element and/or light emitting element fixed below the waveguide, and the end face of the clad layer reflects light toward a direction other than the light receiving element and/or light emitting element.