(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Wach et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,363,992 B1
`*Jan. 29, 2013
`
`US008363992B1
`
`(54) FACILE OPTICAL ASSEMBLIES AND
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Michael L. Wach, Alpharetta, GA (US);
`Dwight Holter, Naples, FL (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Cirrex systems LLC,A1pharena, GA
`(US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U"S'C' 1546’) by 0 days"
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`-
`cla1mer.
`(21) Appl.No.: 13/366,351
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 5, 2012
`
`Related U.S.Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 11/980,337, filed on
`Oct. 30, 2007, now Pat. No. 8,135,250, which is a
`continuation of application No. 10/429,166, filed on
`May 2, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,298,936, which is a
`continuation of application No. 10/010,854, filed on
`Dec. 4, 2001, now abandoned.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/251,270, filed on Dec.
`4’ 2000'
`
`(51)
`
`S
`
`(56)
`
`Int.Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G02B 6/34
`(2006.01)
`C03B 37/018
`(200001)
`01030125/00
`(52) U.s. Cl.
`........... .. 385/37; 359/566; 359/586; 65/392
`58) Field of Classification Search
`385/37
`385/147. 359/566
`392’
`(
`h’h.
`’
`1.
`.
`fil
`’f
`1’
`ee app lcanon
`e or Comp ete Seam lstory‘
`References Cited
`
`’
`
`4,725,110 A
`2121:5223:
`5:235:639 A
`5,237,630 A
`5,265,177 A
`5,343,544 A
`§;g§;;g§g‘ § *
`5,838,853 A
`5,953,477 A
`6,208,783 B1
`,
`,
`6,467,969 B1
`65425660 B1
`6,542,673 B1
`
`2/1988 G1€_>_I1I1 et 81.
`3/:23:
`8/1993 Chevalier et a1.‘
`3/1993 Hogg et 31.
`11/1993 Cho et al.
`8/1994 Boyd et al.
`Z1333‘ §;:f;;:‘; ,1;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" 385/37
`11/1998 Jinnai et al.
`9/1999 Wach et a1.
`3/2001 Wach
`.
`3.0
`C
`$36? 6:
`10/2002 Shmulovich
`4/2003 Medm et a1~
`4/2003 Holter et a1.
`on 1nue
`(C t.
`d)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`
`11/1993
`05313039 A
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`f A“
`N _
`0t1ce 0
`10/429,166.
`
`owance
`
`d
`
`ate
`
`d J
`un.
`
`29 2007 _ U S A 1 N
`,
`1n
`.
`.
`pp .
`
`0.
`
`.
`(commued)
`primary Examl~ne,,,Daniej petkovsek
`(74) Attorney Agent 0}, Fl-rm _ Hope Baldauff Hartman
`LLC
`1
`I
`
`’
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A micro identification system supports facile optical assem-
`blies and components. A segment of optical fiber can com-
`.
`.d
`.fi
`f
`d .
`..
`d.
`.
`Th .d
`.fi
`pr1se an1 ent1 er orme V1a act1mc ra 1at1on.
`e1 ent1 er
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`.
`.
`.
`.
`through a cyl1ndr1cal surface of the opt1cal fiber to deter1n1ne
`d M d'fi d
`t'
`lfib
`th
`fib
`th th
`b
`"0 e"
`0 1 3 OP 1”‘
`“S are 0“
`e“ a We Ge“
`shaped or coated to
`extent beyond the demands ofnormal
`commun1cat1ons opt1cal fibers. In one example, mod1fied
`fibers are no longer than about two feet in length. For another
`example, the modified fibers can have eitheranon-cylindrical
`end face, a non flat end face,
`end face the plane ofwhich is
`not perpend1cular to the l.ong1tud1nal ax1s of the.waVegu1de,
`an end face czaited w1th h1gh dens1ty filter, or an 1dent1fier on
`or near an en
`ace.
`3 Claims, 23 Drawing Sheets
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,484,794 A
`11/1984 Witte
`4,639,074 A
`1/1987 Murphy
`
`6121
`
`62>:
`
`65x
`
`64x 63x
`
`6521a 62x0
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`
`
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`
`Page 1
`
`ILLUMINA, INC. EXHIBIT 1001
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`Page 1
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`

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`US 8,363,992 B1
`Page 2
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`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`2002/0126953 A1
`2004/0052460 A1
`
`€\§:é1fi1:It1;t.a1'
`9/2002 Wach
`3/2004 Wach
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Oflicial Action dated Aug. 25, 2010 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/980,337.
`Oflicial Action dated Mar. 10, 2011 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/980,337.
`
`Notice of Allowance dated Nov. 7, 2011 in U.S. Appl. No.
`1 1/980,337.
`U.S. Appl. No. 60/2-13,983, entitled “Micro Identifier System
`Cornponents for OpticalAssemblies ,filed Jun.24, 2000, Inventors.
`DW1ghtH01ter and M1°hae1Wa_°h~
`_
`_
`_
`U.S. Appl. No. 60/038,395, entitled “Improved Filtering of Optical
`Filaers and Other Related Devices”, filed Feb. 14, 1997, Inventor:
`Michael Wach.
`
`* Cited by examiner
`
`Page 2
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`Page 2
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`Jan. 29, 2013
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`US 8,363,992 B1
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`1
`FACILE OPTICAL ASSEMBLIES AND
`COMPONENTS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is a continuation of and claims
`priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.
`1 1/980,337, entitled “Facile Optical Assemblies and Compo-
`nents” and filed Oct. 30, 2007 in the name ofWach et al., now
`U.S. Pat. No. 8,135,250, whichis a continuation ofand claims
`priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.
`10/429,166, entitled “Facile Production of Optical Commu-
`nication Assemblies and Components” and filed on May 2,
`2003 in the name ofWach et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,936,
`which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Non-
`Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/010,854, entitled
`“Facile Production of Optical Communication Assemblies
`and Components” and filed on Dec. 4, 2001 in the name of
`Wach et al., now abandoned which claims priority under 35
`U.S.C. 119 to the filing date of Dec. 4, 2000 accorded to the
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/251,270. The
`entire contents of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application
`Ser. No. 1 1/980,337; U.S. Non-Provisional patent application
`Ser. No. 10/429,166; and U.S. Non-Provisional patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 10/010,854 are hereby incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Fiber to fiber and fiber to waveguide linking devices that
`have been described in the art tend to focus on a substantial
`
`length of fiber placed for linkage to another fiber or to a planar
`waveguide. Prior art connectors and splicing devices typi-
`cally do not meet the increased demand for minimizing on-
`line manufacturing time or part replacement/repair time to
`meet the overall cost requirements for optical communica-
`tions equipment, particularly in high volume production
`operations. With the tremendous need for increasing band-
`width, a need exists in the art for increased precision in such
`linkages and for modifying or eliminating rate-limiting steps
`in component manufacturing. The increase in overall demand
`for high quality optical components at modest cost has inten-
`sified the importance of achieving high quality consistently
`and efiiciently.
`Fiber modification techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,953,477, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Improved
`Fiber Optic Light Management,” filed Mar. 13, 1997, address
`these challenges. However, the increased capability of sepa-
`rating wavelengths made possible by these advances has fur-
`ther increased the need for precision in other aspects ofmanu-
`facturing optical assemblies. Cirrex U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 09/318,451, entitled, “Optical Assembly with High
`Performance Filter,” filed May 25, 1 999, (incorporated herein
`by reference in its entirety), which has now issued as U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,404,953, describes various modifications to fibers.
`Content of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/318,451 has
`been inserted below under the heading “From U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/318,451 Entitled “Optical Assembly
`with High Performance Filter”” with FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 7,
`8, 9, 10, 11a, and 11b respectively renumbered as FIGS. 8, 9,
`10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18a,and 18b and the letter “x”
`appended to the figure reference numbers to avoid confusion
`with other disclosed figures and figure reference numbers.
`Cirrex U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/213,983 entitled,
`“Micro Identifier System and Components for Optical
`Assemblies,” filed Jun. 24, 2000 (also incorporated herein by
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`2
`
`reference in its entirety) describes a system having an identi-
`fying mechanism for high performance waveguides that is
`machine-readable (especially, by optical means, for example,
`using a laser interference pattern) for quick and accurate
`recall of information included in the identifying mechanism.
`Content of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/213,983 has
`been inserted below under the heading “From U.S. Patent
`Application No. 60/213,983 Entitled “Micro Identifier Sys-
`tem and Components for Optical Assemblies” with FIGS. 1,
`2, 2a, 3, 4, and 5 respectively renumbered as FIGS. 19, 20,
`20a, 21, 22, and 23 and the letter “y” appended to the figure
`reference numbers to avoid confusion with other disclosed
`
`figures and figure reference numbers. Many of the individual
`components of such optical assemblies are extremely small
`and technically complex. Differences between component
`assembly pieces or even differences within individual pieces
`are difficult to discern. The ’983 patent application describes
`how etching or engraving, for example, of a cladding surface
`can provide precise and detailed product information, includ-
`ing: the manufacturer, the core and cladding dimensions,
`compositions, indices of refraction, and other imprinting.
`Internal identifiers of that type can also be utilized for system
`integrity/uniformity checks for quality assurance.
`Additional details may be important for other types of
`optical fibers. For example, the end face of one fiber may be
`intentionally angled so that its face is not uniformly perpen-
`dicular to its axis and the axis of a waveguide with which it is
`to be mated. (See Cirrex U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`09/578,777, entitled, “Method and System for Increasing a
`Number of Information Channels Carried by Optical
`Waveguides,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
`reference and which has now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,
`660.) For a very slight angle, it may be critical to have the end
`face precisely oriented as it mates with the waveguide. The
`extent to which the fiber core is off-center or elliptical may
`also be included in the identifier. The identifier on the fiber
`
`and the waveguide provides sufficient information for the
`mating to be precise.
`One advantage ofusing the peripheral surface of a fiber end
`face for the identifier is relative space availability. The entire
`periphery of the end face could be utilized if information
`space and image clarity are required. Similarly, the probabil-
`ity of that area causing fiber function limitations is low and
`could be reduced further, for example, by covering disrupted
`(etched/engraved) surface areas with material that would
`restore transparency to wavelengths negatively affected with-
`out detrimentally affecting the readability of the image. Such
`factors play a role in determining which identifier process,
`marking and location to utilize. It also may be critical to high
`volume production for the information to be read signifi-
`cantly in advance of the mating operation and in some cases
`even by a different manufacturer. Each improvement in one
`area exposes additional challenges for the manufacturing pro-
`cesses in other areas, for example, in assuring appropriate,
`precise fiber to fiber, or fiber to waveguide mating.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In accordance with the present invention, a modified fiber
`interlink, typically an optical assembly multi-channel sub-
`component, can be created to form the optical link between
`multiple charmel waveguides to be mated. For example,
`modified fiber interlinks form optical paths between multiple
`fibers and a multi-charmel planar waveguide. Modified opti-
`cal fibers are those that have been shaped or coated to an
`extent beyond the demands of normal communications opti-
`cal fibers. In one example, modified fibers are no longer than
`
`Page 26
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`US 8,363,992 B1
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`3
`about two feet in length and can have either a non-cylindrical
`end face, a non-flat end face, an end face the plane ofwhich is
`not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide,
`an end face coated with high density filter, or an identifier on
`or near an end face. In another example, the modified fiber can
`include at least one high density filter in the interlink within
`an interlink channel.
`
`Modified fiber interlinks can be manufactured in a separate
`operation and thus taken off-line from the main optical
`assembly manufacturing line. These integral interlinks, in
`which fibers have been shaped so precisely and/or coated with
`special filters, can be included in optical assemblies to ulti-
`mately provide their beneficial functions without slowing the
`entire assembly operation. This off-line production can result
`in a subcomponent that minimizes linkage time in the full
`component assembly operation. The subcomponent also can
`decrease the potential for defective linkages or less than opti-
`mal performance in both the subcomponent manufacturing
`operation and the assembly operation.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 depicts in exaggerated perspective an interlink hav-
`ing four differently configured waveguides in accordance
`with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 shows the exemplary interlink of FIG. 1 in cutaway
`along the AA plane.
`FIG. 3 depicts in exaggerated perspective a planar
`waveguide configured for mating with the exemplary inter-
`link of FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 3a illustrates in exaggerated perspective a planar
`waveguide face having a groove surrounding each port for
`mating with a mating projection surrounding each mating
`port on a modified fiber interlink in accordance with an exem-
`plary embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3b illustrates a mating projection and a groove for a
`planar waveguide interlink interface in accordance with an
`exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 depicts in cutaway an interlink with cylindrical
`fibers with high density filters on fiber ends in accordance
`with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a fiber of FIG. 4 having an identifier
`embedded thereon in accordance with an exemplary embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 6 illustrates in schematic two interlinks used in an
`
`add-drop multiplexer application in accordance with an
`exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 illustrates in cutaway additional configurations of
`waveguides in interlink applications in accordance with an
`exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a perspective of an optical assembly end portion
`illustrating a masked, filtered fiber end, from U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/318,451.
`FIG. 9 is a cross sectional magnified view of an optical
`assembly in accordance with FIG. 8 with exaggerated fiber
`core, filter, and mask thickness dimensions, from U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/318,451.
`FIG. 10 is an end view of an optical assembly illustrating a
`mask having a hexagonal exterior profile and a circular aper-
`ture, from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/318,451 .
`FIG. 11 is a distortedperspective ofan uncompleted optical
`assembly end portion illustrating a mask precursor having a
`hexagonal profile, from U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`09/3 18,45 1 .
`FIG. 12 is an end view of a cluster of uncompleted optical
`assemblies end portions, from U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/318,451.
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`FIG. 13 is a perspective of two optical assemblies with
`masks placed in mask end near mask end configuration illus-
`trating mating orientation, from U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/318,451.
`FIG. 14 is a perspective of two optical assemblies in mask
`end to mask end, mating connection, from U.S. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 09/318,451 .
`FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view illustrating two optical
`assemblies each having beveled end faces with mask end near
`mask end configuration illustrating mating orientation, with
`exaggerated fiber core, filter, and mask thickness dimensions,
`from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/318,451 .
`FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view illustrating two optical
`assemblies oriented for end to end splice using a connection
`device mated to the masked assembly ends, from U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/318,451 .
`FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view illustrating two optical
`assemblies oriented for end to end splice using a connection
`device having a fluid entry/evacuation port, from U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/318,451 .
`FIG. 18 includes 18a, which is an end view of a splice
`connection device as in FIG. 17 and including a charmel for
`aligning the fiber end faces, and 18b, which is a blow-up ofthe
`channel and its surrounds, from U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/318,451.
`FIG. 19, from U.S. Patent Application \Io. 60/213,983,
`illustrates several embodiments of an identifier means.
`
`FIG. 20, from U.S. Patent Application \Io. 60/213,983,
`shows in perspective view a system that includes a reading
`means for sufficient identification to initiate appropriate reac-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 20a, from U.S. Patent Application \Io. 60/213,983,
`illustrates in end view cutaway a drive having rollers support-
`ing a fiber segment.
`FIG. 21, from U.S. Patent Application \Io. 60/213,983,
`illustrates in perspective view several options for placement
`or configuration of identifier spaces.
`FIG. 22, from U.S. Patent Application \Io. 60/213,983,
`illustrates a fiber having a core and a cladding.
`FIG. 23, from U.S. Patent Application \Io. 60/213,983,
`illustrates purposefully created index of refraction disrup-
`tions in cladding of a fiber.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
`
`As shown by the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, inter-
`link 4 links by providing optical charmels, waveguides 5, 6
`(an optical fiber formed by fusing fiber segment 6a to fiber
`segment 6b forming junction 12a) 8, and 9, between a planar
`waveguide (see planar waveguide unit 30 in FIG. 3) and at
`least one optical fiber system 10 of which optical fiber 19fis
`a part. Optical fiber 19fcan be mated to waveguide 9, prefer-
`ably an optical fiber, at interface 17, by inserting fiber 19fin
`channel or recess 4c of block 411 (See FIG. 2 for additional
`detail). For example, by using an appropriate epoxy, fiber 19f
`can be fused to fiber 9 with a filter disposed at the interface 17
`therebetween. Optical fiber 18fcan be mated to waveguide 8
`at interface 18 by inserting fiber 18finto a locking mechanism
`22 such as an optical seal housing. The locking mechanism 22
`is coupled to face 2 ofthe interlink 4 by flanges 21 that engage
`the locking mechanism 22. Disposed at interface 18 can be a
`filter. Overall, waveguides 5, 6, 8, and 9 of interlink 4 dem-
`onstrate various types of optical connections that can exist
`within interlink 4. It will be understood that the present inven-
`tion is not limited to the number and types of waveguides
`shown within interlink 4. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates yet
`
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`5
`another exemplary embodiment of the type of waveguide,
`configuration that can be disposed within an interlink 4.
`Block 411 is rigid, constructed of material opaque to the
`wavelengths of light expected to be transmitted through the
`embedded waveguides and light to which the unit is exposed.
`The material is preferably a plastic that is resistant to thermal
`expansion and is thermally stable. Fibers 15], 16], 18fof the
`optical fiber system can mate with waveguide ends 15, 1 6, and
`18 respectively of interlink 4. Multi-charmel planar optical
`waveguide unit 30 (see FIG. 3) has a docking surface 39 and
`ports 31, 32, 33' and 34 optically open to waveguide charmels
`of planar optical waveguide unit 30 which ultimately com-
`municate with waveguides 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d. Face sur-
`face region 1 of interlink 4 (FIG. 1) and its positioning pins
`711, 7b, 7c, 7d and 7e mate with docking surface 39 (FIG. 3)
`and its pin receptacles 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, and 37e, respec-
`tively. Ports 11, 12, 13 and 14 of interlink 4 (FIG. 1) mate
`precisely with ports 31, 32, 33 and 34 respectively (FIG. 3) of
`planar optical waveguide unit 30. Secure mating for each of
`the respective waveguide ends can be accomplished by using
`an appropriate epoxy or other material (e.g. index matching
`gel) to assure transparent connection. For less than permanent
`connection, the mating could also be secured by using an
`index matching gel and a connection system that securely but
`releasably connects (e.g. using latches) interlink 4 face sur-
`face 1 with the docking surface 39 of planar waveguide unit
`30. Another alternative that could be used in lieu of or with
`
`placement pins and receptacles is a male/female grooving
`system, as shown in exaggerated perspective in FIG. 3b.
`FIG. 3a shows a multi-channel planar waveguide face
`(docking surface) 36 having groove 36g spaced and com-
`pletely but separately surrounding each ofthe ports, 31a, 32a,
`33a and 3411. A mating modified fiber interlink would include
`a precisely dimensioned face surface having shaped, continu-
`ous projections 26p that would mate with groove 36g, as
`illustrated in FIG. 3b. The interlink would also include ports
`that would mate precisely with ports 31a, 32a, 33a and 3411.
`As best shown in FIG. 3b, mating projection 26p mates
`exactly with groove 36g, but the projection could be modified
`to guide itself to the full depth of groove 36g. The advantage
`of a grooving system is that it helps to assure no unintended
`photon transfer between non mated ports.
`In FIG. 1, modified fiber interlink 4 includes optical
`waveguides of four different configurations for purposes of
`illustrating
`the
`versatility
`of
`applicant’s
`invention.
`Waveguide 5 is a single mode optical fiber which between
`face 1 and face 2 of unit 4 is embedded in solid opaque block
`4a.A significant portion of optical fiber 5 protrudes from face
`2 for linking, desirably by fusion at end 15 to a matching
`optical fiber 15fof optical fiber system 10. The embeddedpart
`of optical fiber 5 has an axial cross section that has been
`modified to transition from a circular cross section at distal
`
`end 15 and extending beyond face 2 into block 411 to a rect-
`angular cross section at the proximal end of fiber 5 at port 11.
`Each of the transitional optical waveguides 5, 6, 9 and 8 has a
`proximal end at least near face surface region 1. In an exem-
`plary embodiment of this invention, waveguides 5, 6, 8, 9 of
`interlink 4 are each a separate optical fiber, with at least one
`having on its proximal end an integral high density filter. In
`another exemplary embodiment, each separate fiber 5, 6, 8
`and 9 has a distal end and at least one has a high density filter
`on its distal end. Such filters are described in detail in U.S. Pat.
`
`No. 5,953,477 mentioned above. Optical fibers 5 and 6 of
`interlink 4 protrude from face surface region 2 and each has a
`distal end, 15 and 16, respectively, exterior to block 411. The
`longitudinal axis of optical fiber 6 is positioned obliquely to
`face surface region 1. However, high density filter 12b on the
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`proximal end of fiber 6 (shown more clearly in FIG. 2) is
`preferably parallel to an optical fiber face surface 1 because of
`the end shaping on both ends of fiber segment 6a and on the
`juncture end 1211 of 6b. It is this sort of precision and flex-
`ibility in fusing that highlights the advantages ofthe interlinks
`of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In
`another exemplary embodiment, the waveguides of interlink
`4 are optical fibers with the proximal end of the fibers 5 (at
`port 11), 6 (at port 12), 9 (at port 13) and 8 (at port 14) each
`being slightly recessed from face surface 1. This allows for an
`appropriate amount of epoxy or other optically transparent
`material for fusing the fiber ends, for example, to selected
`waveguide channels in planar waveguide unit 30.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an interlink
`
`comprising cylindrical fibers with high density filters on fiber
`ends in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`invention. Referring now to FIG. 4, an interlink 41 comprises
`a block 44 and cylindrical fibers 45f, 46f, 47f, and 48f The
`block 44 is preferably constructed of a rigid material opaque
`to the wavelengths oflight expected to be transmitted through
`an embedded portion ofthe optical fibers 45], 46], 47f, and 48f
`and light to which the unit is exposed. The optical fibers 45],
`46], 47], and 48fprovide optical charmels or waveguides for
`carrying optical signals. Along face surface 41 of the block
`44, the optical fibers 45], 46], 47], and 48fcomprise ports 45,
`46, 47, and 48, respectively. Filters 45b, 46b, 47b, and 48b,
`typically high density filters, are positioned along each proxi-
`mal end face of the optical fibers 45f, 46f, 47], and 48],
`respectively, at the ports 45, 46, 47, and 48 along the face 41.
`Distal ends 45a, 46a, 47a, and 48a of the optical fibers 45],
`46], 47f, and 48f, respectively, protrude from a face surface 42
`of the interlink 44. One or more of the distal ends 45a, 46a,
`47a, and 4811 can include an optical filter, such as a high
`density filter 48a positioned at the distal end 48b. At the face
`surface 42, a significant portion of each optical fiber 45, 46,
`47, and 48 protrudes from the block 44 for linking, preferably
`by fusion to another optical fiber.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a fiber of FIG. 4 having an identifier
`embedded adjacent to one end of the fiber in accordance with
`an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. As shown
`in FIG. 5, the optical fiber 45 can comprise an outside surface
`43 including an identifier 43a. The identifier 43a is conve-
`niently located proximate to an end of the optical fiber 45
`where it can remain visible during operation of the interlink
`44. The identifier 43a typically provides identification infor-
`mation to facilitate mating ofthe optical fiber 45 with another
`optical fiber or waveguide structure. The identifier 43a pref-
`erably includes sufficient space for the incorporation of a
`micro bar code, magnetic identifier or other identification
`information. To assist in appropriate alignment in mating of
`optical assemblies, the identifier 4311 can identify the dimen-
`sions and characteristics of the optical fiber 45. In addition,
`the core and polarization axes can be identified with respect to
`the location ofthe identifier 43a. In the alternative, testing and
`alignment information can be provided by the identifier 43a
`to support alignment and testing operations. It will be appre-
`ciated that the identifier 4311 can be positioned at other loca-
`tions along the optical fiber 45 so long as the identifier is
`visible to a user during operations of the interlink 44.
`In FIG. 6, a fiber interlink 60 has tapered (oblique) proxi-
`mal end faces on each of fibers 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65, which
`mate respectively with mating, tapered ports 61m, 62m, 63m,
`64m and 65m of a planar waveguide 69. Similarly, a fiber
`interlink 66 comprises proximal end faces on optical fibers
`that mate with opposing ports ofthe planar waveguide 69. The
`interlinks 60 and 66 operate in connection with the planar
`waveguide 69 to support an add-drop multiplexer application
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`7
`for adding and dropping optical signals of various wave-
`lengths. The interlink 60 supports the drop function, whereas
`the interlink 66 supports the add function.
`For example, an optical signal input at an input port of the
`interlink 66 is passed by an optical fiber to the planar
`waveguide 69. A filter at the port 62m passes wavelength 1 of
`the optical signal to the interlink 60 and the remaining wave-
`lengths of the optical signal are reflected at the port 62m. In
`turn, the fiber 61 carries the optical signal having the wave-
`length 1 through the interlink 60 to the drop application.
`Similarly, the filter at the port 61m passes wavelength 2 to the
`optical fiber 62 of the interlink 60 and reflects the remaining
`wavelengths of the optical signal. In View of the cascading
`nature of the planar waveguide 69, similar drop functions are
`completed at the ports 63m, 64m, and 65m to complete the
`processing of the optical signal the by the add-drop multi-
`plexer.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional View of waveguides in
`an interlink in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
`a present invention. An interlink 72 comprises waveguides
`75f, 76], and 77fconstructed from optical fibers of different
`configurations to provide channels for carrying optical sig-
`nals. A portion of the optical fibers or waveguides 75], 76],
`and 77fare embedded within an opaque block 74 comprising
`material opaque to the wavelengths of light expected to be
`transmitted through the embedded waveguides and light to
`which the interlink is exposed. Ports 75, 76, and 77 of the
`optical fibers 75f, 76f, and 77f are positioned along a face
`surface 71 of the block 74. As discussed in connection with
`
`prior embodiments, the ports 75, 76, and 77 typically repre-
`sent the proximal ends of the optical fibers 75f, 76], and 77f
`Optical filters can be attached to the proximal ends of the
`optical fibers 75], 76], and 77fand adjacent to the ports 75, 76,
`and 77. The un-embedded portion of the optical fibers 75f,
`76f, and 77fextend from a face surface 73 ofthe block 74. The
`distal end of each unembedded portion of the optical fibers
`75f, 76f, and 77fcan include an optical filter such as optical
`filters 75a, 76a, 77a, and 77b.
`In summary, an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention provides a modified fiber interlink for linking to and
`providing optical channels between at least one optical fiber
`system and at
`least one multi-channel planar optical
`waveguide. The waveguide includes a docking surface and
`ports optically opening on the docking surface to at least some
`of the optical channels. The interlink has a first face surface
`for matching the docking surface and selected ports of the
`planar optical waveguide. This first face surface is configured
`for mating with the planar optical waveguide and the separate
`ports thereof and is positioned for optical matching with the
`selected waveguide ports. The interlink can further include a
`second face surface positioned in a plane at least approxi-
`mately parallel to the first face surface. In the alternative, the
`second face surface can be positioned in a plane oblique to the
`first face surface.
`The interlink can further include at least two modifie