Coupling region for optical systems
AssigneeFinisar Corporation
InventorsJames Guenter, Jack Gilkerson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention discloses systems and methods for defining a coupling region or regions for use with optical systems. An embodiment of the coupling region represents a region in which an optical parameter meets or exceeds a selected threshold value. Embodiments of the coupling region may be used for the alignment, characterization, qualification, or design of optical elements or optical assemblies.
Claims20
A method for defining a coupling region comprising the steps of:
- moving an optical element to a plurality of known locations;
- measuring an optical parameter value at each known location, of the plurality of known locations, to determine a coupled power value when the optical element is at each known location;
- selecting a threshold coupled power value;
- and
- defining a volumetric region wherein the boundary of said volumetric region is defined by a set of known locations, from the plurality of known locations, that possess or exceed the threshold coupled power value.
A method for aligning a first optical element and a second optical element comprising the steps of:
- moving the first optical element to a plurality of known locations;
- measuring an optical parameter value at each known location, of the plurality of known locations, to determine a coupled power value when the optical element is at each known location;
- selecting a threshold coupled power value;
- defining a volumetric region wherein said volumetric region is bounded by a set of known locations, from the plurality of known locations, that possess or exceed the threshold coupled power value;
- and
- positioning the first optical element at an alignment location within the volumetric region.
A method for determining whether an optical element comprising a lens is acceptable for its intended function, the steps comprising:
- establishing an acceptable volumetric coupling region;
- identifying a volumetric coupling region of the optical element;
- comparing the identified volumetric coupling region with the acceptable volumetric coupling region;
- and
- responsive to the identified volumetric coupling region being within specified limits of the acceptable volumetric coupling region, deeming the optical elements acceptable for its intended function.
A method for designing an optical assembly comprising two optical elements, the method comprising the steps of:
- establishing the mechanical constraint region by using maximum material conditions and worst-case tolerances on die position to compute the largest volume within which coupling between the two optical elements would always be possible without physical interference;
- and
- specifying a volumetric coupling region wherein the locations within the volumetric coupling region correlate to coupled power values that possess or exceed a threshold coupled power value and wherein the volumetric coupling region is contained within the mechanical constraint region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.