Multicore Fiber Asymmetric Cladding for Axis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of optical axes in multicore fibers is challenging due to the rounding of external portions during the manufacturing process, leading to instability and difficulty in axis alignment during connection.
Innovation Solution
A multicore fiber design featuring an arc-shaped cladding with non-arc portions and projections/recesses that act as support points, allowing for stable placement on a mounting stage, and a manufacturing method involving boring, inserting, integrating, and drawing processes to create these features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flat external portion is formed on the multicore fiber preform to facilitate alignment, then alignment in the rotation direction can be omitted, but the flat external portion becomes rounded during the drawing process due to heat, causing instability on the mounting stage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the symmetric flat external portion into an asymmetric structure with projections and recesses. The non-arc portion contains projections that extend toward the arc portion, creating an asymmetric pattern that provides stable support points while maintaining alignment facilitation. This asymmetric design prevents the rounding problem by creating defined geometric features that remain stable during the drawing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The external form of the cladding is segmented into distinct arc portions and non-arc portions with projections and recesses. This segmentation creates multiple discrete support points (projections) and alignment features (recesses), allowing the structure to maintain stability while facilitating alignment. The segmented design prevents the entire flat portion from rounding by distributing the structural function across multiple discrete elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If the multicore fiber is drawn with heat to complete the manufacturing process, then the fiber is successfully formed, but the flat external portion rounds off, causing alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The projections and recesses are designed into the preform structure before the drawing process begins. By pre-establishing these geometric features in the solid preform state, the invention ensures that the critical alignment and stability features are created before thermal effects during drawing can cause rounding. The preliminary design of the non-arc portion with projections protects against subsequent thermal deformation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates the alignment of optical axes by stabilizing the multicore fiber, reducing the need for rotational alignment and enhancing connectivity between fibers, especially in configurations with multiple planar waveguides.
Implementation Method 1
integrating the cladding rod with the core sheath rod by heating the cladding rod and the core sheath rod
Data Source
AI summary
A multicore fiber according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cores and a cladding that encloses the plurality of the cores. The external form of the cladding in a cross section is formed of an arc portion that is formed in an arc shape relative to the center axis of the cladding and a non-arc portion that is pinched between two ends of the arc portion and not formed in an arc shape relative to the center axis of the cladding. The non-arc portion is formed with a pair of projections projecting from two ends of the arc portion on the opposite side of the center axis relative to a straight line connecting the both ends of the arc portion and one or more of recesses pinched between the pair of the projections.