Patents
`
`In re Application of: Michael L. Wach et al.
`
`Application No.:
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`’
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`11/980,337
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`Filed: October 30, 2007
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`Title: Facile Production of Optical
`Communication Assemblies and
`
`Components
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`\J%/\2\./$/§/é
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`Conf. No.: 6907
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`ArtUnit: 2874
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`Examiner: Petkovsek, Daniel
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`Docket No.: 06948.l05029 CON2
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`AMENDMENT AND SUBSTITUTE SPECIFICATION
`UNDER 37 C.F.R. §§ 1.125 & 1.121
`
`Mail Stop Amendment
`Commissioner for Patents
`
`P. O. Box 1450
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`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
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`Sir:
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`Applicants
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`respectfully request entry of the amendments discussed below and
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`consideration of the remarks that follow.
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`Amendments to the Specification begin on page 2 of this paper.
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`Amendments to the Claims begin on page 3 of this paper.
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`Amendments to the Drawings begin on page 4 of this paper.
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`Remarks begin on page 5 below.
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`
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`I hereby certify that this correspondence is being deposited with the United States Postal Service as first class mail
`in an envelope addressed to: Mail Stop Amendment, Commissioner for Patents, P. O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA
`22313-1450, on July 8, 2010.
`
`P3991
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`ILLUMINA, INC. EXHIBIT 1011
`
`Michael L. Wach, Reg. No. 54,517
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`Page 1
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`U.S. Patent App. No. 11/980,337
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`Submitted July 8, 2010
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`AMENDMENTS TO THE SPECIFICATION
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`Please replace the specification of record,
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`including the abstract, with the attached
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`Substitute Specification.
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`[This area has been left blank intentionally]
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`Page 2
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`Page 2
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`U.S. Patent App. No. 11/980,337
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`Submitted July 8, 2010
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`AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS
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`Please amend the claims as follows. This listing of claims will replace all prior versions
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`and listings of claims in the application.
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`1.-46 Canceled
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`47.
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`(new) A method comprising:
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`providing a segment of optical fiber comprising a first end face, a second end face, and a
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`cylindrical surface extending from the first end face to the second end face;
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`forming refractive index disruptions within a volume defined by the first end face, the
`second end face, and the cylindrical surface in response to illuminating the segment of optical
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`fiber with actinic radiation;
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`generating a laser interference pattern from the formed refractive index disruptions;
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`reading the laser interference pattern through the cylindrical surface with a camera; and
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`determining a code based on the read laser interference pattern.
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`Page 3
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`Page 3
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`U.S. Patent App. No. l 1/980,337
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`Submitted July 8, 2010
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`AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAWINGS
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`Please add the 16 attached drawing sheets to the application.
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`[This area has been left blank intentionally]
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`Page 4
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`Page 4
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`U.S. Patent App. No. 11/980,337
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`Submitted July 8, 2010
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`The undersigned thanks Examiner Petkovsek for a careful review of this application and
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`respectfixlly requests examination of the amended application and claim set on the merits.
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`REMARKS
`
`I.
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`Substitute Specification
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`A Substitute Specification (other than the claims) has been submitted under 37 CFR §
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`1.125 (b) and (c) and 37 CFR § 1.121 (b)3 with markings showing changes relative to the
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`immediate prior version of the specification of record. An accompanying clean Version (without
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`markings) is also supplied. The Substitute Specification includes no new matter.
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`The present application properly incorporates U.S. Patent Application Number
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`09/318,451 and U.S. Patent Application Number 60/213,983 by reference. See lines 26-31 on
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`page 1 of the application as originally filed.
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`In the attached Substitute Specification, content
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`from U.S. Patent Application Numbers 09/318,451 and 60/213,983 has been inserted directly
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`into the present application without adding new matter.
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`The letter “X” and the letter “x” have been respectively added to the figure numbers and
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`figure reference numbers associated with U.S. Patent Application Number O9/318,451 to avoid
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`confusion with other disclosed figures and figure reference numbers. The letter “Y” and the
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`letter “y” have been respectively added to the figure numbers and figure reference numbers
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`associated with U.S. Patent Application Number 60/213,983 to avoid confusion with other
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`disclosed figures and figure reference numbers.
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`The Substitute Specification also includes the following amendments:
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`0 The title has been amended on page 1 of the Substitute Specification.
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`0 The patent number now associated with U.S. Patent Application Number 10/429,166
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`has been added to the first section on page 1 of the Substitute Specification, originally
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`entitled “Related Application and Priority Claim.”
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`0 Headings within the specification have been amended.
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`0 The title and docket number have been removed from page 35 that contains an
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`abstract.
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`0 The Abstract of the Disclosure on page 35 has been amended.
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`Page 5
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`Page 5
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`U.S. Patent App. No.
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`l 1/980,337
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`Submitted July 8, 2010
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`0 Amendments have been made at the following locations to address minor issues of
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`typographical and grammatical nature: line 1 of page 4, line 7 of page 5, line 26 of
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`page 6, lines 8 and 16 of page 7, lines 14 and 20 of page 8, and line 3 of page 9.
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`Entry of the attached Substitute Specification is respectfully requested.
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`II.
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`Claim Amendments
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`Claims 1-46 have been canceled without prejudice or disclaimer. Applicants reserve the
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`right to pursue the previous claims in one or more related applications. Claim 47 has been added
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`to provide a scope of protection commensurate with the original disclosure and without adding
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`new matter.
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`The invention of Claim 47 is fully supported by the original disclosure.
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`Examination on the merits of Claim 47 is respectfully requested.
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`III.
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`Drawing Amendments
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`The present application incorporates U.S. Patent Application Number 09/318,451 and
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`U.S. Patent Application Number 60/213,983 by reference. See lines 26-31 on page 1 of the
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`application as originally filed.
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`In the sixteen attached New Sheets of drawings, content from
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`U.S. Patent Application Numbers 09/318,451 and 60/213,983 has been inserted directly into the
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`present application without adding new matter.
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`Figures 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X, 7X, 8X, 9X, 10X, 11Xa, and llXb come from U.S.
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`Patent Application Number 09/318,45]. The letter “X” and the letter “X” have been respectively
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`added to the figure numbers and figure reference numbers associated with U.S. Patent
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`Application Number 09/318,451 to avoid confusion with other disclosed figures and figure
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`reference numbers.
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`Figures IY, 2Y, 2Ya, 3Y, 4Y, and 5Y come from U.S. Patent Application Number
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`60/213,983. The letter “Y” and the letter “y” have been respectively added to the figure numbers
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`and figure reference numbers associated with U.S. Patent Application Number 60/213,983 to
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`avoid confusion with other disclosed figures and figure reference numbers.
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`The new drawings include no new matter.
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`Page 6
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`Page 6
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`U.S. Patent App. No. 11/980,337
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`Submitted July 8, 2010
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`IV.
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`Notice Regarding Related Re-Examination Proceeding and Litigation
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`As discussed above, the present application incorporates U.S. Patent Application Number
`
`60/213,983 by reference, and the Substitute Specification and amended drawing set directly
`
`include content from U.S. Patent Application Number 60/213,983. U.S. Patent Number
`
`6,542,673 claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Number 60/213,983. U.S. Patent Number
`
`6,542,673 is currently under re-examination under Re-Examination Control Number 95/000,463.
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`U.S. Patent Number 6,542,673 is involved in litigation in the Northern District of Georgia, Civil
`
`Action No. l:08cv2993.
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`CONCLUSION
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`The Applicants and undersigned thank the Examiner for consideration of this paper and
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`ask the Examiner to please enter the foregoing amendments. The application is believed to be in
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`condition for examination on the merits and such examination is requested. If any issues exist
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`that can be resolved with an Examiner’s Amendment or a telephone conference, please contact
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`the undersigned at 678-366-1882 in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia.
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`The accompanying papers are believed to provide payment for all fees due in this case,
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`including all fees required for consideration of this paper and entry of the amendment. However,
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`should the Commissioner deem that any additional fees (including any fees for extensions of
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`time) or credits are due, the Commissioner is authorized to debit such fees from, or to credit any
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`such overpayments to, USPTO Deposit Account Number 505,230.
`
`
`
`Respectfully sub '
`
`
`Michael L. Wach
`
`Reg. No. 54,517
`
`Michael L Wach
`
`4425 Mariners Ridge
`Alpharetta, GA 30005
`Telephone: (678) 366-1882
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`Page 7
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`Page 7
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`A0? p I
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`#9
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`SUBSTITUTE SPECIFICATION
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`4 ’
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`MARKED UP COPY
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`Page 8
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`Page 8
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` R
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` CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Non—Provisional
`
`Patent Application Number 10/429,166, entitled "Facile Production of Optical Communication
`
`Assemblies and Components” and filed on May 2, 2003 in the name of Wach et al, now U.S.
`
`Patent Number 7,298,936, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Non-
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`Provisional Patent Application Number 10/010,854, entitled ”Facile Production of Optical
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`Communication Assemblies and Components” and filed on December 4, 2001 in the name of
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`10
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`Wach et al., which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to the filing date of Dec. 4, 2000
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`accorded to the US Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/251,270. The entire contents of
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`U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Number 10/429,166 and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent
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`Application Number 10/010,854 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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`15
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`Fiber to fiber and fiber to waveguide linking devices that have been described in the
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`art tend to focus on a substantial length of fiber placed for linkage to another fiber or to a
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`planar waveguide. Prior art connectors and splicing devices typically do not meet the
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`increased demand for minimizing on-line manufacturing time or part replacement/repair time
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`20
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`to meet the overall cost requirements for optical communications equipment, particularly in
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`high volume production operations. With the tremendous need for increasing bandwidth, a
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`need exists in the art for increased precision in such linkages and for modifying or eliminating
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`rate-limiting steps in component manufacturing. The increase in overall demand for high
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`quality optical components at modest cost has intensified the importance of achieving high
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`25
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`quality consistently and efficiently.
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`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
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`Page 9
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`Page 9
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`these challenges. However, the increased capability of separating wavelengths made possible
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`by these advances has further increased the need for precision in other aspects of
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`manufacturing optical assemblies. Cirrex U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/318,451,
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`entitled, ”Optical Assembly with High Performance Filter,” filed May 25, 1999, (incorporated
`
`herein by reference in its entirety), which has now issued as U.S. Patent Number 6,404,953,
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`describes various modifications to fibers. Content of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
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`09 318 451 has been inserted below under the headin ”From US Patent A
`
`lication No.
`
`10
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`15
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`09 318 451 Entitled "O tical Assembl with Hi h Performance Filter’’’’ with the letter ”X” and
`II
`II
`the letter x respectively appended to the figure numbers and figure reference numbers to
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`avoid confusion with other disclosed figures and figure reference numbers. Cirrex U.S. Patent
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`Application Serial No. 60/213,983 entitled, ”Micro Identifier System and Components for
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`Optical Assemblies,” filed Jun. 24, 2000 (also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety)
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`describes a system having an identifying mechanism for high performance waveguides that is
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`machine-readable (especially, by optical means, for example, using a laser interference
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`pattern) for quick and accurate recall of information included in the identifying mechanism.
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`Content of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60[213,983 has been inserted below under the
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`heading "From US Patent Application Number 60[213,983 Entitled ”Micro Identifier System
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`and Components for Optical Assemblies” with the letter ”Y” and the letter ”y” respectively
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`appended to the figure numbers and figure reference numbers to avoid confusion with other
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`20
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`disclosed figuresland figure reference numbers. Many of the individual components of such
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`optical assemblies are extremely small and technically complex. Differences between
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`component assembly pieces or even differences within individual pieces are difficult to
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`discern. The ’983 patent application describes how etching or engraving, for example, of a
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`cladding surface can provide precise and detailed product information, including: the
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`25
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`manufacturer, the core and cladding dimensions, compositions, indices of refraction, and
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`other imprinting. Internal identifiers of that type can also be utilized for system
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`integrity/uniformity checks for quality assurance.
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`Additional details may be important for other types of optical fibers. For example, the
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`end face of one fiber may be intentionally angled so that its face is not uniformly
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`perpendicular to its axis and the axis of a waveguide with which it is to be mated. (See Cirrex
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`U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/578,777, entitled, "Method and System for Increasing a
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`Number of Information Channels Carried by Optical Waveguides,” which is incorporated
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`herein in its entirety by reference and which has now issued as U.S. Patent Number
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`6,542,660.) For a very slight angle, it may be critical to have the end face precisely oriented as
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`it mates with the waveguide. The extent to which the fiber core is off-center or elliptical may
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`also be included in the identifier. The identifier on the fiber and the waveguide provides
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`sufficient information for the mating to be precise.
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`One advantage of using the peripheral surface of a fiber end face for the identifier is
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`10
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`relative space availability. The entire periphery of the end face could be utilized if information
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`space and image clarity are required. Similarly, the probability of that area causing fiber
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`function limitations is low and could be reduced further, for example, by covering disrupted
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`(etched/engraved) surface areas with material that would restore transparency to
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`wavelengths negatively affected without detrimentally affecting the readability of the image.
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`15
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`Such factors play a role in determining which identifier process, marking and location to
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`utilize. It also may be critical to high volume production for the information to be read
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`significantly in advance of the mating operation and in some cases even by a different
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`manufacturer. Each improvement in one area exposes additional challenges for the
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`manufacturing processes in other areas, for example, in assuring appropriate, precise fiber to
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`20
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`fiber, or fiber to waveguide mating.
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`SUMMARY
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`In accordance with the present invention, a modified fiber interlink, typically an optical
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`assembly multi-channel subcomponent, can be created to form the optical link between
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`25
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`multiple channel waveguides to be mated. For example, modified fiber interlinks form optical
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`paths between multiple fibers and a multi-channel planar waveguide. Modified optical fibers
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`are those that have been shaped or coated to an extent beyond the demands of normal
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`communications optical fibers. In one example, modified fibers are no longer than about two
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`feet in length and can have either a non-cylindrical end face, a non;flat end face, an end face
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`the plane of which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide, an end face
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`coated with high density filter, or an identifier on or near an end face. In another example, the
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`modified fiber can include at least one high density filter in the interlink within an interlink
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`channel
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`Modified fiber interlinks can be manufactured in a separate operation and thus taken off-
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`line from the main optical assembly manufacturing line. These integral interlinks, in which
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`fibers have been shaped so precisely and/or coated with special filters, can be included in
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`optical assemblies to ultimately provide their beneficial functions without slowing the entire
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`10
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`assembly operation. This off-line production can result in a subcomponent that minimizes
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`linkage time in the full component assembly operation. The subcomponent also can decrease
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`the potential for defective linkages or less than optimal performance in both the
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`subcomponent manufacturing operation and the assembly operation.
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`15
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 depicts in exaggerated perspective an interlink having four differently
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`configured waveguides in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
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`invention.
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`FIG. 2 shows the exemplary interlink of FIG. 1 in cutaway along the AA plane.
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`20
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`FIG. 3 depicts in exaggerated perspective a planar waveguide configured for mating
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`with the exemplary interlink of FIG. 1.
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`FIG. 3a illustrates in exaggerated perspective a planar waveguide face having a groove
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`surrounding each port for mating with a mating projection surrounding each mating port on a
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`modified fiber interlink in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
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`25
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`invention.
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`FIG. 3b illustrates a mating projection and a groove for a planar waveguide interlink
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`interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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`FIG. 4 depicts in cutaway an interlink with cylindrical fibers with high density filters on
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`fiber ends in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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`FIG. 5 illustrates a fiber of FIG. 4 having an identifier embedded thereon in accordance
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`with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.
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`FIG. 6 illustrates in schematic two interlinks used in an add-drop multiplexer
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`application in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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`FIG. 7 [[I]] illustrates in cutaway additional configurations of waveguides in interlink
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`applications in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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`10
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
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`As shown by the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, interlink 4 links by providing optical
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`channels, waveguides 5, 6 (an optical fiber formed by fusing fiber segment 6a to fiber segment
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`6b forming junction 12a) 8, and 9, between a planar waveguide (see planar waveguide unit 30
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`in FIG. 3) and at least one optical fiber system 10 of which optical fiber 19f is a part. Optical
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`fiber 19f can be mated to waveguide 9, preferably an optical fiber, at interface 17, by
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`inserting fiber 19f in channel or recess 4c of block 4a (See FIG. 2 for additional detail). For
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`example, by using an appropriate epoxy, fiber 19f can be fused to fiber 9 with a filter disposed
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`at the interface 17 therebetween. Optical fiber 18f can be mated to waveguide 8 at interface
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`18 by inserting fiber 18f into a locking mechanism 22 such as an optical seal housing. The
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`locking mechanism 22 is coupled to face 2 of the interlink 4 by flanges 21 that engage the
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`locking mechanism 22. Disposed at interface 18 can be a filter. Overall, waveguides 5, 6, 8,
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`and 9 of interlink 4 demonstrate various types of optical connections that can exist within
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`interlink 4. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the number and
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`types of waveguides shown within interlink 4. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates yet another
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`exemplary embodiment of the type of waveguide, configuration that can be disposed within
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`25
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`an interlink 4.
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`Block 4a is rigid, constructed of material opaque to the wavelengths of light expected
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`to be transmitted through the embedded waveguides and light to which the unit is exposed.
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`The material is preferably a plastic that is resistant to thermal expansion and is thermally
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`stable. Fibers 15f, 16f, 18f of the optical fiber system can mate with waveguide ends 15, 16,
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`and 18 respectively of interlink 4. Multi-channel planar optical waveguide unit 30 (see FIG. 3)
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`has a docking surface 39 and ports 31, 32, 33’ and 34 optically open to waveguide channels of
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`planar optical waveguide unit 30 which ultimately communicate with waveguides 35a, 35b,
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`35c and 35d. Face surface region 1 of interlink 4 (F|G.1) and its positioning pins 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d
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`and 7e mate with clocking surface 39 (FIG. 3) and its pin receptacles 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, and
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`37e, respectively. Ports 11, 12, 13 and 14 of interlink 4 (FIG. 1) mate precisely with ports 31,
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`32, 33 and 34 respectively (FIG. 3) of planar optical waveguide unit 30. Secure mating for each
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`of the respective waveguide ends can be accomplished by using an appropriate epoxy or other
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`material (e.g. index matching gel) to assure transparent connection. For less than permanent
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`connection, the mating could also be secured by using an index matching gel and a connection
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`system that securely but releasably connects (e.g. using latches) interlink 4 face surface 1 with
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`the docking surface 39 of planar waveguide unit 30. Another alternative that could be used in
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`lieu of or with placement pins and receptacles is a male/female grooving system, as shown in
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`exaggerated perspective in FIG. 3b.
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`FIG. 3a shows a multi-channel planar waveguide face (docking surface) 36 having
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`groove 36g spaced and completely but separately surrounding each of the ports, 31a, 32a, 33a
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`and 34a. A mating modified fiber interlink would include a precisely dimensioned face surface
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`having shaped, continuous projections 26p that would mate with groove 36g, as illustrated in
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`FIG. 3b. The interlink would also include ports that would mate precisely with ports 31a, 32a,
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`33a and 34a. As best shown in FIG. 3b, mating projection 26p mates exactly with groove 36g,
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`but the projection could be modified to guide itself to the full depth of groove 36g. The
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`advantage of a grooving system is that it helps to assure that no unintended photon transfer
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`between non mated ports.
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`In FIG. 1, modified fiber interlink 4 includes optical waveguides of four different
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`configurations for purposes of illustrating the versatility of applicant's invention. Waveguide 5
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`10
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`15
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`is a single mode optical fiber which between face 1 and face 2 of unit 4 is embedded in solid
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`opaque block 4a. A significant portion of optical fiber 5 protrudes from face 2 for linking,
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`desirably by fusion at end 15 to a matching optical fiber 15f of optical fiber system 10. The
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`embedded part of optical fiber 5 has an axial cross section that has been modified to
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`transition from a circular cross section at distal end 15 and extending beyond face 2 into block
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`4a to a rectangular cross section at the proximal end of fiber 5 at port 11. Each of the
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`transitional optical waveguides 5, 6, 9 and 8 has a proximal end at least near face surface
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`region 1. In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, waveguides 5, 6, 8, 9 of interlink 4
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`are each a separate optical fiber, with at least one having on its proximal end an integral high
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`10
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`density filter. In another exemplary embodiment, each separate fiber 5, 6, 8 and 9 has a distal
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`end and at least one has a high density filter on its distal end. Such filters are described in
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`detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,477 mentioned above. Optical fibers 5 and 6 of interlink 4
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`protrude from face surface region 2 and each has a distal end, 15 and 16, respectively,
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`exterior to block 4a. The longitudinal axis of optical fiber 6 is positioned obliquely to face
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`115
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`surface region 1. However, high density filter 12b on the proximal end of fiber 6 (shown more
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`20
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`25
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`clearly in FIG. 2) is prefer[[r]]ably parallel to an optical fiber face surface 1 because of the end
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`shaping on both ends of fiber segment 6a and on the juncture end 12a of 6b. It is this sort of
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`precision and flexibility in fusing that highlights the advantages of the interlinks of the
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`exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In another exemplary embodiment, the
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`waveguides of interlink 4 are optical fibers with the proximal end of the fibers 5 (at port 11), 6
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`(at port 12), 9 (at port 13) and 8 (at port 14) each being slightly recessed from face surface 1.
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`This allows for an appropriate amount of epoxy or other optically transparent material for
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`fusing the fiber ends, for example, to selected waveguide channels in planar waveguide unit
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`30.
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`FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an interlink comprising cylindrical fibers with
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`high density filters on fiber ends in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
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`invention. Referring now to FIG. 4, an interlink 41 comprises a block 44 and cylindrical fibers
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`45f, 46f, 47f, and 48f. The block 44 is preferably constructed of a rigid material opaque to the
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`wavelengths of light expected to be transmitted through an embedded portion of the optical
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`fibers 45f, 46f, 47f, and 48f and light to which the unit is exposed. The optical fibers 45f, 46f,
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`47f, and 48f provide optical channels or waveguides for carrying optical signals. Along face
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`surface 41 of the block 44, the optical fibers 45f, 46f, 47f, and 48f comprise ports 45, 46, 47,
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`and 48, respectively. Filters 45b, 46b, 47b, and 48b, typically high density filters, are
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`positioned along each proximal end face of the optical fibers 45f, 46f, 47f, and 48f,
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`respectively, at the ports 45, 46, 47, and 48 along the face 41. Distal ends 45a, 46a, 47a, and
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`48a of the optical fibers 45f, 46f, 47f, and 48f, respectively, protrude from a face surface 42 of
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`the interlink 44. One or more of the distal ends 45a, 46a, 47a, and 48a can include an optical
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`filter, such as a high density filter 48a positioned at the distal end 48b. At the face surface 42,
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`a significant portion of each optical fiber 45, 46, 47, and 48 protrudes from the block 44 for
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`linking, preferably by fusion to another optical fiber.
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`Fig. 5 illustrates a fiber of FIG. 4 having an identifier embedded adjacent to one end of
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`the fiber in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. As shown in
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`FIG. 5, the optical fiber for 45 can comprise an outside surface 43 including an identifier 43a.
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`The identifier 43a is conveniently located proximate to an end of the optical fiber 45 where it
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`can remain visible during operation of the interlink 44. The identifier 43a typically provides
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`identification information to facilitate mating of the optical fiber 45 with another optical fiber
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`or waveguide structure. The identifier 43a preferably includes sufficient space for the
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`incorporation of a micro bar code, magnetic identifier or other identification information. To
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`assist in appropriate alignment in mating of optical assemblies, the identifier 43a can identify
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`the dimensions and characteristics ofthe optical fiber 45. In addition, the core and
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`polarization axes can be identified with respect to the location of the identifier 43a. In the
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`alternative, testing and alignment information can be provided by the identifier 43a to
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`support alignment and testing operations. It will be appreciated that the identifier 43a can be
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`positioned at other locations along the optical fiber 45 so long as the identifier is visible to a
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`user during operations of the interlink 44.
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`In FIG. 6, a fiber interlink 60 has tapered (oblique) proximal end faces on each of fibers
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`61, 62, 63, 64 and 65, which mate respectively with mating, tapered ports 61m, 62m, 63m,
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`64m and 65m of a planar waveguide 69. Similarly, a fiber interlink 66 comprises proximal end
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`faces on optical fibers that mate with opposing ports of the planar waveguide 69. The
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`interlinks 60 and 66 operate in connection with the planar waveguide 69 to support an add-
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`drop multiplgg [[ier]] application for adding and dropping optical signals of various
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`wavelengths. The interlink 60 supports the drop function, whereas the interlink 66 supports
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`the add function.
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`For example, an optical signal input at an input port of the interlink 66 is passed by an
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`optical fiber to the planar waveguide 69. A filter at the port 62m passes wavelength 1 of the
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`optical signal to the interlink 60 and the remaining wavelengths ofthe optical signal are
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`reflected at the port 62m. In turn, the fiber 61 carries the optical signal having the wavelength
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`1 through the interlink 60 to the drop application. Similarly, the filter at the port 61m passes
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`wavelength 2 to the optical fiber 62 ofthe interlink 60 and reflects the remaining wavelengths
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`of the optical signal. In view of the cascading nature of the planar waveguide 69, similar drop
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`functions are completed at the ports 63m, 64m, and 65m to complete the processing of the
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`optical signal the by the add-drop multiplexer.
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`FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of waveguides in an interlink in accordance with
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`an exemplary embodiment of a present invention. An interlink 72 comprises waveguides 75f,
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`76f, and 77f constructed from optical fibers of different configurations to provide channels for
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`carrying optical signals. A portion of the optical fibers or waveguides 75f, 76f, and 77f are
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`embedded within an opaque block 74 comprising material opaque to the wavelengths of light
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`expected to be transmitted through the embedded waveguides and light to which the
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`interlink is exposed. Ports 75, 76, and 77 of the optical fibers 75f, 76f, and 77f are positioned
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`along a face surface 71 of the block 74. As discussed in connection with prior embodiments,
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`the ports 75, 76, and 77 typically represent the proximal ends of the optical fibers 75f, 76f,
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`and 77f. Optical filters can be attached to the proximal ends of the optical fibers 75f, 76f, and
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`77f and adjacent to the ports 75, 76, and 77. The un-embedded portion of the optical fibers
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`75f, 76f, and 77f extend from a face surface 73 of the block 74. The distal end of each
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`unembedded portion of the optical fibers 75f, 76f, and 77f can include an optical filter such as
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`optical filters 75a, 76a, 77a, and 77b.
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`In summary, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a modified
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`fiber interlink for linking to and providing optical channels between at least one optical fiber
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`system and at least one multi-channel planar optical waveguide. The waveguide includes a
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`docking surface and ports optically opening on the docking surface to at least some of the
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`optical channels. The interlink has a first face surface for matching the docking surface and
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`selected ports of the planar optical waveguide. This first face surface is configured for mating
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`with the planar optical waveguide and the separate ports thereof and is positioned for optical
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`matching with the selected waveguide ports. The interlink can further include a second face
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`surface positioned in a plane at least approximately parallel to the first face surface. In the
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`alternative, the second face surface can be positioned in a plane oblique to the first face
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`surface.
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`The interlink can further include at least two modified optical fibers, each having a first
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`fiber end that terminates near the first face surface and is positioned at a different port of the
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`waveguide docking surface. An interlink fiber can be positioned so that it is set at an oblique
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`angle to the first face surface region. An interlink fiber can be shaped to transition the
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`interlink optical channel between a longitudinal length having a larger cross-sectional
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`dimension and a longitudinal length having a smaller cross-sectional dimension. In the
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`alternative, an interlink fiber can be shaped to transition the interlink optical channel between
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`a generally circular cross-section and a rectangular cross-section. One or more of the interlink
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`fibers can be implemented by a shaped optical fiber or by an integral high density filter. This
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`integral high density filter can be positioned at one end of the interlink fiber, typically near the
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`first face surface region.
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`An interlink fiber can be entirely embedded in fixed position in a rigid opaque material
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`with only its ends exposed, as ports, one of which is for optically mating with an optical fiber
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`from an optical fiber system. In the alternative, an interlink fiber can be partially embedded at
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`one end near the first face surface region in an opaque material with the embedded end
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`exposed as a port for mating with a port in the planar optical waveguide. At least one of the
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`waveguides can include an integral high density filter positioned at one end of the waveguide.
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