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Dual directional tap coupler

  • US 4,398,794 A
  • Filed: 11/18/1981
  • Issued: 08/16/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A fiber optic tap coupler device for tapping off predetermined portions of optical power from a single optical fiber comprising:

  • a curved form for supporting an optical fiber and shaping a portion thereof to a predetermined segment of a circle;

    a single optical fiber mounted on said form;

    means for affixing the optical fiber along a portion thereof to the curved portion of the form of selected radius of curvature by enclosing said portion in epoxy resin applied to the form, the fiber and affixing means in the center section of the curved portion of the fiber being lapped and polished to a preselected depth of penetration into the fiber to develop an extended common planar surface along the fiber portion and the epoxy resin providing extended lateral support for mounting a prism in coupling relationship to the fiber;

    prism means affixed to said planar surface in contact with the optical fiber by means of an optically transparent adhesive, the prism means having at least one face of a predetermined characteristic angle;

    the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the form and the portion of the optical fiber affixed thereto being in the range between 5 and 8 cm, and said characteristic angle of the prism face being selected to be 52+/-5°

    in order to provide minimum loss with optimum coupling of optical power from the fiber;

    reflecting means formed on said at least one prism face; and

    at least one photosensitive means mounted adjacent said prism in a position to receive and monitor light tapped from said fiber, transmitted by the prism and reflected by the face.

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