Optical connectors with inorganic adhesives and methods for making the same
AssigneeCorning Optical Communications LLC
InventorsMichael Edward DeRosa, Shawn Michael O'Malley, Vitor Marino Schneider
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Abstract
One embodiment of the disclosure relates to an optical connector. The optical connector may include a ferrule, a waveguide, and an inorganic adhesive composition. The ferrule may include a fiber-receiving passage defining an inner surface. The inorganic adhesive composition may be disposed within the ferrule and in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule and the waveguide. The inorganic adhesive composition may include at least about 50% by weight of metal oxide.
Claims53
An optical connector comprising a ferrule, a waveguide, and an inorganic adhesive composition, wherein:
- the ferrule comprises a fiber-receiving passage defining an inner surface;
- the inorganic adhesive composition is disposed within the ferrule and in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule and the waveguide;
- the inorganic adhesive composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of metal oxide;
- and
- the inorganic adhesive composition comprises yttria-stabilized zirconia.
An optical connector comprising a ferrule, a waveguide, and an inorganic adhesive composition, wherein:
- the ferrule comprises a fiber-receiving passage defining an inner surface;
- the inorganic adhesive composition is disposed within the ferrule and in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule and the waveguide;
- the inorganic adhesive composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of metal oxide comprising zirconia or yttria-stabilized zirconia;
- and
- the inorganic adhesive composition has a CTE in a range of between about 80% and 125% of the CTE of the ferrule over a temperature range from about −50° C. to about 80° C.
A method for securing a waveguide to a ferrule of an optical connector, the method comprising:
- depositing an inorganic adhesive composition precursor onto the waveguide or into a fiber-receiving passage defining an inner surface of the ferrule;
- inserting the waveguide into the fiber-receiving passage, such that the inorganic adhesive composition precursor is disposed within the ferrule and in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule;
- and
- solidifying the inorganic adhesive composition precursor to form an inorganic adhesive composition, wherein and the inorganic adhesive composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of metal oxide comprising zirconia or ytrria-stabilized zirconia, and wherein the solidification comprises exposing the inorganic adhesive composition precursor to a temperature in a range of from about 200° C. to about 1200° C.
A method for securing a waveguide to a ferrule of an optical connector, the method comprising:
- depositing an inorganic adhesive composition precursor onto the waveguide or into a fiber-receiving passage defining an inner surface of the ferrule;
- inserting the waveguide into the fiber-receiving passage, such that the inorganic adhesive composition precursor is disposed within the ferrule and in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule;
- solidifying the inorganic adhesive composition precursor to form an inorganic adhesive composition, wherein and the inorganic adhesive composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of metal oxide;
- and
- crystallizing the inorganic adhesive composition after the solidification.
An optical connector comprising at least one waveguide and an inorganic adhesive composition, wherein:
- the inorganic adhesive composition bonds the at least one waveguide to a part of the optical connector;
- the inorganic adhesive composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of metal oxide;
- and
- the inorganic adhesive composition comprises yttria-stabilized zirconia.
An optical connector comprising a ferrule, at least one waveguide, and an inorganic adhesive composition, wherein:
- the ferrule comprises at least one fiber-receiving passage defining at least one inner surface;
- the inorganic adhesive composition is disposed within the optical connector and in contact with the at least one waveguide;
- the inorganic adhesive composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of metal oxide comprising zirconia or yttria-stabilized zirconia;
- and
- the inorganic adhesive composition has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in a range of between about 80% and 125% of a CTE of the ferrule over a temperature range from about −50° C. to about 80° C.
A method for securing at least one waveguide to an optical connector, wherein the optical connector includes an inorganic adhesive composition precursor deposited into the optical connector, the method comprising:
- inserting the at least one waveguide into the optical connector, such that the inorganic adhesive composition precursor is in contact with the at least one waveguide and with a part of the optical connector;
- and
- solidifying the inorganic adhesive composition precursor to form an inorganic adhesive composition that bonds the at least one waveguide to the part of the optical connector, wherein the inorganic adhesive composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of metal oxide comprising zirconia or yttria-stabilized zirconia, and wherein the solidification comprises exposing the inorganic adhesive composition precursor to a temperature in a range of from about 200° C. to about 1200° C.
A method for securing at least one waveguide to an optical connector, wherein the optical connector includes an inorganic adhesive composition precursor deposited into the optical connector, the method comprising:
- inserting the at least one waveguide into the optical connector, such that the inorganic adhesive composition precursor is in contact with the at least one waveguide and with a part of the optical connector;
- solidifying the inorganic adhesive composition precursor to form an inorganic adhesive composition that bonds the at least one waveguide to the part of the optical connector, wherein the inorganic adhesive composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of metal oxide;
- and
- crystallizing the inorganic adhesive composition after the solidification.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.