Integrated 2d lens for fiber coupling

Abstract

A fiber optic coupling device including a glass substrate; a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element; and one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel.

Description

INTEGRATED 2D LENS FOR FIBER COUPLINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 744,213, filed January 11, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH

[0002] None.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates in general to fiber coupling. In particular, the present invention relates to stable high efficiency two-dimensional glass lenses for fiber coupling.BACKGROUND

[0004] Waveguide-based fiber coupling is a critical technology in photonics, enabling efficient light transfer between optical fibers and integrated waveguides. This coupling is essential for applications in telecommunications, data centers, and photonic integrated circuits. Historically there are many different types of fiber couplers including: edge couplers; grating couplers; tapered fiber couplers; CMOS-compatible coupling structures; 3D nano-printing techniques; evanescent coupling; prism coupling; and free-form couplers.

[0005] Edge couplers align the fiber to the waveguide's edge, facilitating direct light injection. Silicon nitride (SiN) edge couplers have demonstrated low-loss performance and compatibility with CMOS fabrication processes. For instance, an SiN-waveguide-based fiber coupling structure achieved efficient coupling with minimal loss, highlighting its potential for large-scale integration.

[0006] Grating couplers use diffraction gratings etched onto the waveguide surface to couple light between the fiber and waveguide. Grating couplers offer flexibility in fiber placement and can be designed for specific wavelengths and polarizations. However, they may exhibit higher insertion losses compared to edge couplers.

[0007] In tapered fiber couplers the fiber or waveguide is tapered to gradually match the mode field diameters, enhancing coupling efficiency. Techniques involving adiabatically tapered fibers have achieved low-loss, high-bandwidth coupling, demonstrating their effectiveness in minimizing insertion losses.

[0008] Developments in CMOS-compatible SiN-waveguide-based fiber coupling structures have shown promise for integration with silicon wire waveguides, offering a pathway to scalable and cost-effective photonic circuits.

[0009] Innovations in 3D nano-printing Techniques have enabled the fabrication of microfibers for fiber-to-chip coupling, achieving high efficiency and broad bandwidth. This method allows for precise control over the coupling interface, enhancing performance.

[0010] Evanescent coupling uses the evanescent field overlap between the fiber and waveguide, enabling efficient light transfer. Evanescent couplers designed on glass substrates have achieved coupling losses of less than 1 dB for both TE and TM modes.

[0011] A prism coupler can be employed to couple light into a thin film waveguide on a glass substrate without the need for precision polishing of the edge of the film.

[0012] The design of free-form couplers using advanced fabrication techniques has led to ultraefficient and broadband interfaces between standard single-mode fibers and silicon waveguides, facilitating improved integration in photonic systems.

[0013] These types of fiber couplers have different challenges and issues in their implementation, including mode field mismatch; alignment sensitivity; and bandwidth and polarization dependence.

[0014] In mode field mismatch, disparities between the mode field diameters of fibers and waveguides can lead to coupling losses. Addressing this requires precise engineering of the coupling interface to ensure efficient mode matching.

[0015] As for alignment sensitivity, accurate alignment between the fiber and waveguide is crucial. Misalignments can significantly increase insertion losses, necessitating precise fabrication and assembly techniques.

[0016] Bandwidth and polarization dependence mean that couplers must be designed to operate efficiently over the desired wavelength range and accommodate different polarization states, which adds complexity to the design process.

[0017] Glass based waveguide-based fiber coupling is a vital component in the advancement of integrated photonic systems. Ongoing research focuses on enhancing coupling efficiency, expanding bandwidth, and ensuring compatibility with existing fabrication technologies to meet the growing demands of high-speed optical communication networks.

[0018] Waveguide-based fiber coupling on glass substrates is a pivotal technology in photonics, facilitating efficient light transfer between optical fibers and integrated waveguides. This integration is essential for applications in telecommunications, data centers, and photonic integrated circuits. There are a significant number of advantages when integrated into a glasssubstrate, including low optical loss; thermal and mechanical stability; and compatibility with fabrication techniques.

[0019] Glass substrates exhibit minimal optical losses, enhancing signal integrity during transmission. Glass substrates offer superior thermal and mechanical stability, ensuring reliability in various environmental conditions. Glass substrates are compatible with various fabrication methods, including ion-exchange processes and laser inscription processes, enabling the integration of low-loss single-mode optical waveguides. For example, ultrafast laser processing techniques have been employed to inscribe waveguides in glass substrates, enabling multi-layer photonic integration. These substrates can be connectorized with optical fibers using edgecoupling and passive alignment of standard optical fiber arrays, enhancing coupling efficiency.

[0020] Glass substrate waveguide-based fiber coupling is a vital component in the advancement of integrated photonic systems. Ongoing research focuses on enhancing coupling efficiency, expanding bandwidth, and ensuring compatibility with existing fabrication technologies to meet the growing demands of high-speed optical communication networks. Integrated optics, also known as photonic integrated circuits (PICs), involves the integration of optical components — such as waveguides, modulators, and detectors — onto a single substrate. This technology has enabled a wide range of applications across various fields:

[0021] Integrated optics has revolutionized fiber-optic communication systems by enabling highspeed data transmission with reduced energy consumption. Devices like arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) serve as optical multiplexers and demultiplexers in wavelength-division multiplexed systems, enhancing bandwidth and data transfer speeds. Additionally, silicon microring modulators have been developed to meet the bandwidth demands of on-chip communication links, facilitating faster and more efficient data processing.

[0022] Integrated optics has been applied in sensor systems, such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR), to monitor the surroundings of vehicles, enhancing safety in autonomous driving. In engineering, fiber optic sensors detect various quantities like pressure, temperature, vibrations, and mechanical strain, which are crucial for structural health monitoring in aerospace and civil engineering.

[0023] In healthcare, integrated optics facilitates the development of advanced biosensors and diagnostic instruments. Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology, powered by photonic integrated circuits, enables point-of-care testing by miniaturizing and integrating multiple laboratory functions on a single chip. This advancement leads to quicker diagnostics and more accessible healthcare solutions.

[0024] Integrated optics plays a pivotal role in quantum computing by enabling the manipulation and control of quantum states on a chip-scale platform. Universal multiport interferometers, implemented through integrated optics, are essential for various linear optical quantum computing protocols, including the realization of quantum logic gates and the execution of complex algorithms.

[0025] Advances in simulation tools, such as the finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD) and the beam propagation method (BPM) have been crucial in the design and optimization of integrated optical devices. These tools enable accurate modeling of light propagation within integrated circuits, facilitating the development of efficient and high-performance photonic components.SUMMARY

[0026] As embodied and broadly described herein, an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a quantum antenna comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more glasssubstrate waveguide-based fiber coupling(s) that provides low-loss, broadband, and alignment-tolerant optical interfaces between standard optical fibers (including fiber arrays) and integrated waveguides formed in and / or on glass. The coupling interface may include edge couplers, grating couplers, tapered / adiabatic couplers, evanescent couplers, prism couplers, and / or free-form (including 3D-fabricated) couplers, optionally incorporating mode-field transforming structures (e.g., inverse tapers, spot-size converters, subwavelength transitions) to reduce mode mismatch, back-reflection, and insertion loss.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the glass substrate includes passive alignment and connectorization features (e.g., grooves, pockets, fiducials, datum surfaces) that improve placement tolerance and repeatability during assembly. Waveguides may be formed using ionexchange, ultrafast laser inscription, and / or thin-film dielectric processes to support scalable, multi-layer photonic integration. The disclosed structures and methods enable robust fiber-to-chip coupling for photonic integrated circuits and related systems, including applications in communications, data centers, sensing, and quantum photonics.

[0028] As embodied and broadly described herein, an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber optic coupling device comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: a glass substrate; a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element; and one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel. In one aspect, the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, high purity fused silica, or borosilicate glass. In another aspect, the one or more integrated lenses comprise a concave lens, a convex lens, a compound lens, aplano-concave lens, a plano-convex lens, a Fresnel lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a prism, a spherical lens, a positive meniscus lens, or a negative meniscus lens. In another aspect, the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a receiving device. In another aspect, the glass substrate is etched using a photolithography process or a plasma etching process. In another aspect, the fiber optic coupling device further comprises at least one of a fiber insertion element, a fiber steaking point, or a fiber end stop. In another aspect, the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a nitrogen-doped diamond, a fiber, a fiber multiplexer, or neodymium-doped glass. In another aspect, the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a sensor, a phase shifter, a photonic crystal, a ring resonator, an interferometer, an optical amplifier, an electro-optical device, or a photodetector.

[0029] As embodied and broadly described herein, an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber optic coupling device kit comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a glass substrate; a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element; one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel; and one or more tools to manipulate the fiber optic coupling device or the fiber optic element. In one aspect, the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, high purity fused silica, or borosilicate glass. In another aspect, the wherein the one or more integrated lenses comprise a concave lens, a convex lens, a compound lens, a plano-concave lens, a plano-convex lens, a Fresnel lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a prism, a spherical lens, a positive meniscus lens, or a negative meniscus lens. In another aspect, the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a receiving device. In another aspect, the glass substrate is etched using a photolithography process or a plasma etching process. In another aspect, the fiber optic coupling device kit further comprises at least one of a fiber insertion element, a fiber steaking point, or a fiber end stop. In another aspect, the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a nitrogen-doped diamond, a fiber, a fiber multiplexer, or neodymium-doped glass. In another aspect, the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a sensor, a phase shifter, a photonic crystal, a ring resonator, an interferometer, an optical amplifier, an electro-optical device, or a photodetector.

[0030] As embodied and broadly described herein, an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of making a fiber optic coupling device comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of providing a glass substrate; forming a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element; and positioning one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel. In one aspect, the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, highpurity fused silica, or borosilicate glass. In another aspect, the one or more integrated lenses comprise a concave lens, a convex lens, a compound lens, a plano-concave lens, a plano-convex lens, a Fresnel lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a prism, a spherical lens, a positive meniscus lens, or a negative meniscus lens. In another aspect, the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a sensor, a phase shifter, a photonic crystal, a ring resonator, an interferometer, an optical amplifier, an electro-optical device, or a photodetector.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the detailed description of the disclosure along with the accompanying figures and in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a fiber optic coupling device with integrated glass lenses.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the front oblique view of an integrated lens fiber optic coupler.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a number of different lens types including prism and flat glass and a number of lenses.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for a method embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] While the making and using of various aspects of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific aspects discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the disclosure and do not delimit the scope of the disclosure.

[0037] To facilitate the understanding of this disclosure, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present disclosure. Terms such as “a”, “an” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific aspects of the disclosure, but their usage does not delimit the disclosure, except as outlined in the claims.

[0038] It should be understood that, unless clearly indicated, in any method described or disclosed herein that includes more than one act, the order of the acts is not necessarily limited to the order in which the acts of the method are recited, but the disclosure encompasses exemplary embodiments in which the order of the acts is so limited.

[0039] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

[0040] The present disclosure provides a two-dimensional lens in a glass substrate for high efficiency coupling at low cost, producing improved signal reception required in integrated optical devices. This disclosure has broad application in, e.g., simulation tools; quantum computing; quantum guidance; quantum communication; lab-on-a-chip; LiDAR; and fiber-optic communication. Integrated optics has significantly impacted various industries by providing compact, efficient, and versatile solutions for, e.g., optical communication, sensing, biomedical diagnostics, and quantum computing.

[0041] The present disclosure also relates to a quantum antenna comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more glass- substrate waveguide-based fiber coupling(s) that provides low-loss, broadband, and alignment-tolerant optical interfaces between standard optical fibers (including fiber arrays) and integrated waveguides formed in and / or on glass. The coupling interface may include edge couplers, grating couplers, tapered / adiabatic couplers, evanescent couplers, prism couplers, and / or free-form (including 3D-fabricated) couplers, optionally incorporating mode-field transforming structures (e.g., inverse tapers, spot-size converters, subwavelength transitions) to reduce mode mismatch, back-reflection, and insertion loss.

[0042] In certain aspect the disclosure includes a glass substrate that includes passive alignment and connectorization features (e.g., grooves, pockets, fiducials, datum surfaces) that improve placement tolerance and repeatability during assembly. Waveguides may be formed using ionexchange, ultrafast laser inscription, and / or thin-film dielectric processes to support scalable, multi-layer photonic integration. The disclosed structures and methods enable robust fiber-to-chip coupling for photonic integrated circuits and related systems, including applications in communications, data centers, sensing, and quantum photonics.

[0043] The selection of process gases is crucial in plasma etching, as it directly influences the etch rate and quality. For high-purity fused silica, fluorine-based gases are predominantly used due totheir high reactivity with silicon dioxide. Commonly employs carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) in combination with oxygen (O2) to enhance the etch rate and achieve cleaner etch profiles. Argon (Ar) gas is often added to increase etching rate by enhancing plasma density and assisting in physical sputtering mechanisms. Employing fluorine-based plasmas can yield etch rates up to 425 nm / min while maintaining anisotropic profiles, essential for applications requiring deep etching.

[0044] In one aspect, the devices herein can be formed in, into, and / or on, a substrate that is a glass substrate comprising a composition of 60 - 76 weight % silica; at least 3 weight % K2O with 6 weight % - 16 weight % of a combination of K2O and Na2O; 0.003-1 weight % of at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of Ag2O and AU2O; 0.003-2 weight % CU2O; 0.75 weight % - 7 weight % B2O3, and 6 - 7 weight % AI2O3; with the combination of B2O3; and AI2O3 not exceeding 13 weight %; 8-15 weight % Li2O; and 0.001 - 0.1 weight % CeC>2. In another aspect, the substrate is a glass substrate comprising a composition of 35 - 76 weight % silica, 3- 16 weight % K2O, 0.003-1 weight % Ag2O, 0.75-13 weight % B2O3, 8-15 weight % Li2O, and 0.001 - 0.1 weight % CeC>2. In another aspect, the substrate is at least one of a photo-definable glass substrate comprises at least 0.3 weight % Sb2C>3 or AS2O3; a photo-definable glass substrate comprises 0.003-1 weight % AU2O; a photo-definable glass substrate comprises 1-18 weight % of an oxide selected from the group consisting of CaO, ZnO, PbO, MgO and BaO; and optionally has an anisotropic-etch ratio of exposed portion to said unexposed portion is at least one of 10-20: 1; 21-29:1; 30-45:1; 20-40:1; 41-45:1; and 30-50:1. In another aspect, the substrate is a photosensitive glass ceramic composite substrate comprising at least silica, lithium oxide, aluminum oxide, and cerium oxide.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, a fiber optic coupling device 100 with integrated glass lenses. The fiber optic coupling device 100 includes a first lens 101, a second lens 102, a fiber attachment point 103, a fiber insertion element 104, a fiber end stop 105, a glass substrate 106, and a fiber optical alignment channel 107 (shown as a dotted line), and a fiber optic element 108. The first lens 101, second lens 102, and the fiber insertion element 104 are made by a photolithography process or a plasma etching process in which the glass substrate 106 is coated with photoresist (not shown) and the pattern for first lens 101, second lens 102, and the fiber insertion element 104 are produced. For excessive deep etching a hard mask is used to protect the photoresist pattern during the plasma etching process. Plasma etching is a critical technique in microfabrication, enabling precise and anisotropic material removal in glass substrates such as glass substrate 106. This process utilizes chemically reactive plasma to etch materials, offering advantages over traditional wet etching methods, such as improved control and the ability to create intricate patterns.

[0046] In plasma etching, a plasma is generated by applying a strong radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field to a gas, typically containing reactive species like fluorine or chlorine. The plasma comprises ions, electrons, and neutral particles that interact with the substrate material. High-energy ions are accelerated toward the substrate, where they react chemically with the material's surface, forming volatile byproducts that are subsequently removed. This process can be finely controlled to achieve anisotropic etching profiles, essential for creating high-aspect-ratio structures in glass substrates.

[0047] Plasma etching is particularly advantageous for processing glass materials, which are integral to various applications, including microfluidics, optics, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). For instance, photosensitive glasses like FOTURAN® can be structured without photoresist by exposure to ultraviolet light followed by thermal treatment and plasma etching. This method allows for the creation of fine microstructures with high aspect ratios, making it suitable for complex microfabrication tasks. Plasma etching can produce surfaces with optical quality finishes, which is crucial for applications in photonics and optics.

[0048] Advancements in plasma etching techniques have led to the development of deep reactiveion etching (DRIE) processes for glass materials like fused silica and borosilicate glass. These processes enable the fabrication of deep, high-aspect-ratio structures, expanding the potential applications of glass in microfabrication.

[0049] The glass substrate 106 can comprise the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, high purity fused silica, or borosilicate glass.

[0050] Integrating a fiber through the optical path removes the mechanical forces on the fiber enabling the overall fiber optical alignment through the fiber insertion port 104. The fiber optical alignment channel 107 runs from the fiber insertion element 104 at the edge of the glass substrate 106 to the fiber end stop element 105. The light (not shown) from the core of the fiber optical element 108 placed in the fiber optical alignment channel 107 passes into an etched void that forms the backside of the first lens 101. The light passes from the core of the fiber optical element 108 and diverges slightly until it hits the backside of the first lens 101. The void is filled with air and has an index of refraction of 1.0, and the glass has an index of refraction of 1.5. The light propagates through the front surface of the first lens 101, where it is imaged through another airfilled void between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102 and onto the backside of second lens 102. The light propagates through the second lens 102 and exits into the object (not shown) that it is intended to be coupled into a receiving device.

[0051] Such a receiving device can include a variety of receiving elements, e.g., a nitrogen-doped diamond, a fiber, a fiber multiplexer, or neodymium-doped glass. Such a receiving element can be a component of a variety of receiving devices, e.g., a sensor; a phase shifter; a photonic crystal; a ring resonator; an interferometer; an optical amplifier; an electro-optical device; or a photodetector. Such an electro-optical device can include, e.g., a Mach-Zehnder modulator, an electro-absorption modulator, or a total internal reflection modulator. Such a photodetector can include, e.g., a PIN Diode; an avalanche photodiode, or a total internal reflection modulator.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the top diagonal view of the fiber optic coupling device 100, including the fiber attachment point 103, the fiber insertion port 104, and the fiber optical alignment channel 107 (shown as a dotted line). FIG. 2 also shows the fiber optic element 108 in place in the fiber optic coupling device 100.

[0053] While FIG. 1 shows one possible lens configuration of integrated lenses, first lens 101 and second lens 102 that together form a compound lens, the device can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more lenses. The first lens 101 and the second lens 102 can be replaced by any number of lenses or combination of lenses including concave, convex, or compound plus others different lens types that are shown in FIG. 3 and a Fresnel lens (not shown in FIG. 3).

[0054] FIG. 3 shows lenses that can be used or formed into the device disclosed herein. For example, the lenses can be one or more lense(s) selected from: a prism 301, plane glass 302, a sphere 303, a plano-convex lens 304, a biconvex (or double convex) lens 305, a positive meniscus 306, a plano-concave lens 307, a biconcave (or double concave) lens 308, and / or a negative meniscus 309, and can be formed in any number and / or order. FIG. 3 also shows an optical axis 310 for lenses 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, and 309, but the lenses can be aligned in one or more axes.

[0055] A concave lens will cause a beam to diverge. Convex lenses and compound lenses focus light from a distant source to a point. The distance between the focus and the lens is called the focal length. The shorter the focus, the more powerful the lens is.

[0056] Plano-convex lenses such as plano-convex lens 304 are positive focus length lenses that have a flat surface on one side and spherical surface on the other. They are used for focusing beams in telescopes, collimators or condenser systems, optical transceivers, or other applications.

[0057] Biconvex lenses such as biconvex lens 305 are symmetrical with equal radii on both sides or may have a sharper curve on one side. These outward-curving faces are used as magnifiers, objectives, and condensing systems. Biconvex lenses can be anti -reflection coated.

[0058] Positive meniscus lenses and negative meniscus lenses such as positive meniscus 306 and negative meniscus 309 have two spherically curved faces, one convex and the other concave, so that it has the form of a shell. A positive meniscus lens is thicker in the middle than at the edges and serves as a converging lens; a negative meniscus lens thickens toward the edges and works as a diverging lens.

[0059] Plano-concave lenses such as plano-concave lens 307 are negative focus length lenses that have a flat surface on one side and a spherical surface on the other. They are used to expand beams or to increase focal lengths in optical systems or other similar applications. Plano-concave lenses can be anti -reflection coated.

[0060] Biconcave lenses such as biconcave lens 308 are symmetrical with equal radius on both sides having two inward curved surfaces and a negative focal length. They are used in optical systems in combination with other lenses. These lenses also work as beam-expanders, optical character readers, viewers, and projection systems. Biconcave lenses can be anti -reflection coated.

[0061] In addition to the other lenses shown in FIG. 3, Fresnel lenses (not shown) are a compromise between efficiency and image quality. High groove density allows higher quality images, while low groove density yields better efficiency (as needed in light gathering applications). The grooves act as individual refracting surfaces, like tiny prisms when viewed in cross section, bending parallel rays in a very close approximation to a common focal length. Because the lens is thin, very little light is lost by absorption. In infinite conjugate systems, the grooved side of the lens should face the longer conjugate.

[0062] An embodiment of the invention includes a fiber optic coupling device kit including at least a fiber optic coupling device and one or more tools to manipulate the fiber optic coupling device or the fiber optic element.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a method embodiment of the present invention. Method 400 of making a fiber optic coupling device includes block 405, providing a glass substrate. Method 400 also includes block 410, forming a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element. In addition, method 400 includes block 415, positioning one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel.

[0064] Listing of Embodiments:

[0065] Embodiment 1. A fiber optic coupling device comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: a glass substrate; a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configuredto receive a fiber optic element; and one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel.

[0066] Embodiment 2. The fiber optic coupling device of embodiment 1, wherein the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, high purity fused silica, or borosilicate glass.

[0067] Embodiment 3. The fiber optic coupling device of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the one or more integrated lenses comprise a concave lens, a convex lens, a compound lens, a plano-concave lens, a plano-convex lens, a Fresnel lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a prism, a spherical lens, a positive meniscus lens, or a negative meniscus lens.

[0068] Embodiment 4. The fiber optic coupling device of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a receiving device.

[0069] Embodiment 5. The fiber optic coupling device of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the glass substrate is etched using a photolithography process or a plasma etching process.

[0070] Embodiment 6. The fiber optic coupling device of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, further comprising at least one of a fiber insertion element, a fiber steaking point, or a fiber end stop.

[0071] Embodiment 7. The fiber optic coupling device of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a nitrogen-doped diamond, a fiber, a fiber multiplexer, or neodymium-doped glass.

[0072] Embodiment 8. The fiber optic coupling device of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a sensor, a phase shifter, a photonic crystal, a ring resonator, an interferometer, an optical amplifier, an electro-optical device, or a photodetector.

[0073] Embodiment 9. A fiber optic coupling device kit comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a glass substrate; a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element; and one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel; and one or more tools to manipulate the fiber optic coupling device or the fiber optic element.

[0074] Embodiment 10. The fiber optic coupling device kit of embodiment 9, wherein the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, high purity fused silica, or borosilicate glass.

[0075] Embodiment 11. The fiber optic coupling device kit of embodiments 9 or 10, wherein the one or more integrated lenses comprise a concave lens, a convex lens, a compound lens, a planoconcave lens, a plano-convex lens, a Fresnel lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a prism, a spherical lens, a positive meniscus lens, or a negative meniscus lens.

[0076] Embodiment 12. The fiber optic coupling device kit of any one of embodiments 9 to 11, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a receiving device.

[0077] Embodiment 13. The fiber optic coupling device kit of any one of embodiments 9 to 11, wherein the glass substrate is etched using a photolithography process or a plasma etching process.

[0078] Embodiment 14. The fiber optic coupling device kit of any one of embodiments 9 to 11, further comprising at least one of a fiber insertion element, a fiber steaking point, or a fiber end stop.

[0079] Embodiment 15. The fiber optic coupling device kit of any one of embodiments 9 to 11, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a nitrogen-doped diamond, a fiber, a fiber multiplexer, or neodymium-doped glass.

[0080] Embodiment 16. The fiber optic coupling device kit of any one of embodiments 9 to 11, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a sensor, a phase shifter, a photonic crystal, a ring resonator, an interferometer, an optical amplifier, an electro-optical device, or a photodetector.

[0081] Embodiment 17. A method of making a fiber optic coupling device comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of providing a glass substrate; forming a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element; and positioning one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel.

[0082] Embodiment 18. The method of embodiment 17, wherein the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, high purity fused silica, or borosilicate glass.

[0083] Embodiment 19. The method of embodiments 17 or 18, wherein the one or more integrated lenses comprise a concave lens, a convex lens, a compound lens, a plano-concave lens, a planoconvex lens, a Fresnel lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a prism, a spherical lens, a positive meniscus lens, or a negative meniscus lens.

[0084] Embodiment 20. The method of any one of embodiments 17 to 19, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a sensor, a phase shifter, a photonic crystal, a ring resonator, an interferometer, an optical amplifier, an electro-optical device, or a photodetector.

[0085] It is contemplated that any aspects of the disclosure discussed in this specification can be implemented with respect to any assembly, method, kit, or device of the disclosure, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions of the disclosure can be used to achieve methods of the disclosure.

[0086] It will be understood that particular aspects described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the disclosure. The principal features of this disclosure can be employed in various aspects without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure and are covered by the claims.

[0087] All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0088] The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and / or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and / or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and / or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

[0089] As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. In aspects of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of’ or “consisting of’. As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of’ requires the specified integer(s) or steps as well as those that do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited integer (e.g., a feature, an element, a characteristic, a property, a method / process step or a limitation) or group of integers (e.g., feature(s), element(s), characteristic(s), propertie(s), method / process steps or limitation(s)) only.

[0090] The term “or combinations thereof’ as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof’ is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order isimportant in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

[0091] As used herein, words of approximation such as, without limitation, “about”, "substantial" or "substantially" refers to a condition that when so modified is understood to not necessarily be absolute or perfect but would be considered close enough to those of ordinary skill in the art to warrant designating the condition as being present. The extent to which the description may vary will depend on how great a change can be instituted and still have one of ordinary skilled in the art recognize the modified feature as still having the required characteristics and capabilities of the unmodified feature. In general, but subject to the preceding discussion, a numerical value herein that is modified by a word of approximation such as “about” may vary from the stated value by at least ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 or 15%.

[0092] Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the disclosure(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically, and by way of example, although the headings refer to a “Field of Invention,” such claims should not be limited by the language under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Further, a description of technology in the “Background” section is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any disclosure(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered a characterization of the disclosure(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.

[0093] All of the compositions and / or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this disclosure have been described in terms of preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and / or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the disclosure. All such similar substitutes andmodifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0094] To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C. § 112, U.S.C. § 112 paragraph (f), or equivalent, as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

[0095] For each of the claims, each dependent claim can depend both from the independent claim and from each of the prior dependent claims for each and every claim so long as the prior claim provides a proper antecedent basis for a claim term or element.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fiber optic coupling device comprising:a glass substrate;a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element; andone or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel.

2. The fiber optic coupling device of claim 1, wherein the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, high purity fused silica, or borosilicate glass.

3. The fiber optic coupling device of claim 1, wherein the one or more integrated lenses comprise a concave lens, a convex lens, a compound lens, a plano-concave lens, a plano-convex lens, a Fresnel lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a prism, a spherical lens, a positive meniscus lens, or a negative meniscus lens.

4. The fiber optic coupling device of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a receiving device.

5. The fiber optic coupling device of claim 1, wherein the glass substrate is etched using a photolithography process or a plasma etching process.

6. The fiber optic coupling device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of: a fiber insertion element, a fiber steaking point, or a fiber end stop.

7. The fiber optic coupling device of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a nitrogen-doped diamond, a fiber, a fiber multiplexer, or neodymium-doped glass.

8. The fiber optic coupling device of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a sensor, a phase shifter, a photonic crystal, a ring resonator, an interferometer, an optical amplifier, an electro-optical device, or a photodetector.

9. A fiber optic coupling device kit comprising:a glass substrate;a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element;one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel; and one or more tools to manipulate the fiber optic coupling device or the fiber optic element.

10. The fiber optic coupling device kit of claim 9, wherein the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, high purity fused silica, or borosilicate glass.

11. The fiber optic coupling device kit of claim 9, wherein the one or more integrated lenses comprise a concave lens, a convex lens, a compound lens, a plano-concave lens, a plano-convex lens, a Fresnel lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a prism, a spherical lens, a positive meniscus lens, or a negative meniscus lens.

12. The fiber optic coupling device kit of claim 9, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a receiving device.

13. The fiber optic coupling device kit of claim 9, wherein the glass substrate is etched using a photolithography process or a plasma etching process.

14. The fiber optic coupling device kit of claim 9, further comprising at least one of a fiber insertion element, a fiber steaking point, or a fiber end stop.

15. The fiber optic coupling device kit of claim 9, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a nitrogen-doped diamond, a fiber, a fiber multiplexer, or neodymium-doped glass.

16. The fiber optic coupling device kit of claim 9, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a sensor, a phase shifter, a photonic crystal, a ring resonator, an interferometer, an optical amplifier, an electro-optical device, or a photodetector.

17. A method of making a fiber optic coupling device comprising:providing a glass substrate;forming a fiber optical alignment channel in the glass substrate, configured to receive a fiber optic element; andpositioning one or more integrated lenses in the glass substrate, disposed to receive light from the fiber optic element when placed in the fiber optical alignment channel.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the glass substrate comprises photodefinable glass, high purity fused silica, or borosilicate glass.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more integrated lenses comprise a concave lens, a convex lens, a compound lens, a plano-concave lens, a plano-convex lens, a Fresnel lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a prism, a spherical lens, a positive meniscus lens, or a negative meniscus lens.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the fiber optic coupling device is configured to couple light into a sensor, a phase shifter, a photonic crystal, a ring resonator, an interferometer, an optical amplifier, an electro-optical device, or a photodetector.

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