Fiber optic devices and methods of manufacturing fiber optic devices
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsRaman K. Selli, Brian M. Cole, Donald G. Doss
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Abstract
A method of forming a fiber optic device includes securing one or more optical fibers to a support. The support is coupled to a base that includes one or more optoelectronic devices. After one or more of the fibers are secured to the support, and the support is secured to the base, one or more of the fibers are cleaved. This method, and fiber optic devices made using this method are more easily aligned and may be produced at lower costs than existing manufacturing processes.
Claims57
A method of forming a fiber optic device comprising:
- securing one or more optical fibers to a support, wherein the support comprises one or more support alignment reference features for aligning the support with a base comprising one or more optoelectronic devices;
- cleaving one or more optical fibers;
- coupling the support to a base housing such that the one or more support alignment reference features are aligned with one or more base housing alignment reference features;
- wherein at least one optical fiber is cleaved at an angle greater than or equal to the critical angle formed between an optoelectronic device that is optically coupled to the optical fiber when the support is coupled to the base.
A fiber optic device comprising:
- a support comprising:
- one or more optical fibers coupled to the support;
- and
- one or more lenses molded as a portion of the support;
- wherein one or more of the optical fibers are positioned in optical alignment with one or more of the lenses;
- and
- a base comprising one or more optoelectronic devices;
- wherein the support is coupled to the base such that one or more of the optoelectronic devices are optically coupled to one or more of the optical fibers through one or more of the lenses molded as a portion of the support.
A fiber optic device comprising:
- a support comprising:
- one or more optical fibers coupled to the support;
- and
- one or more reflecting surfaces positioned proximate to an end of one or more of the optical fibers, wherein the reflecting surfaces are molded as a portion of the support;
- and
- a base comprising one or more optoelectronic devices;
- wherein the support is coupled to the base such that one or more of the optoelectronic devices are optically coupled to one or more of the optical fibers through the one or more reflecting surfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.