Optical fiber coupler array

Abstract

An optical fiber coupler array capable of providing multiple low loss, high coupling coefficient interfaces between a predetermined number of low numerical aperture optical fibers and an optical waveguide device with at least a corresponding number of waveguide interfaces. The novel coupler array includes a plurality of coupler inner cores and a plurality of corresponding coupler outer cores, within a medium surrounding each outer core, and also includes a first end for interfacing with optical fibers and a second end for interfacing with a plurality of waveguide interfaces of an optical waveguide device. The sizes of the inner and outer cores are gradually reduced from the first end to the second end in accordance with at least one predetermined reduction profile, such that the coupler array comprises a plurality of low numerical aperture waveguides at the first end, and a plurality of high numerical aperture waveguides at the second end.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present patent application claims priority from the commonly assigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 502,613, entitled “Optical Fiber Coupler Array”, filed Jul. 14, 2009, which in turn claims priority from the commonly assigned U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 080,684, entitled “Optical Fiber Coupler Array”, filed Jul. 14, 2008.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to couplers, and more particularly to an optical fiber device comprising an array of multiple optical fiber couplers capable of providing multiple low loss, high coupling coefficient interfaces between a predetermined number of low numerical aperture optical fibers and an optical waveguide device with at least a corresponding number of waveguide interfaces.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Optical waveguide devices are indispensable in various high technology industrial applications, and especially in telecommunica...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about an optical fiber coupler array that allows multiple low loss, high coupling interfaces between low numerical aperture optical fibers and optical waveguides. The coupler array includes inner and outer cores with a gradual reduction in size, which minimizes insertion loss and maximizes the coupling coefficient at each end. The coupler array can be fabricated as individually drawn couplers from fused performs. The technical effect of this invention is the creation of a reliable and efficient optical coupling device that can connect low numerical aperture optical fibers with high numerical aperture waveguides with low loss and high coupling coefficient.

Problems solved by technology

However, there are significant challenges in interfacing optical waveguide devices, including chiral optical fiber devices, with conventional low index contrast optical fibers.

Failure to properly address these obstacles results in increased insertion losses and a decreased coupling coefficient at each interface.

Nevertheless, a number of challenges still remain.

With the proliferation of optical devices with multiple waveguide interfaces (e.g., waveguide arrays), establishing low loss high-accuracy connections to arrays of high numerical aperture waveguides often provide problematic, especially because the spacing between the waveguides was very small making coupling thereto all the more difficult.

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