Printed circuit board waveguide

• US 6,370,291 B1
• Filed: 03/11/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: II-VI Laser Enterprise GmbH (Coherent Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Opto Power Corporation (MKS Instruments Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mitchell, James Cameron
• Primary Examiner(s): Palmer, Phan T. H.
• Application Number:
  US09/267,944
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 385/14, 385/15, 385/123, 385/47, 385/88, 385/130, 428/690, 273/348, 430/158, 528/353
• US Class Current: 385/14
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/10 of the optical waveguide type G02B6/02, G02B6/24 take precedence; devices or arrangements for the control of light by electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic or acoustic means G02F1/00; transferring the modulation of modulated light G02F2/00; optical logic elements G02F3/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/42 Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0274 Optical details, e.g. printed circuits comprising integral optical means H05K1/0269 takes precedence; coupling light guides with opto-electronic components G02B6/42

Abstract

A printed circuit board is made of a light transmitting material and is used as a waveguide for light. The board may be coated on both surfaces with a light-reflecting material to improve waveguiding properties. Such a board is operative to replace the microlens and optical fiber common in laser diode packages to form an optical path to deliver optical energy to some sensor position. A sensor of optical energy need only be coupled to a window in one of the coatings or positioned at the edge of the board.

Claims

1. Apparatus including a printed circuit board, said board comprising a planar member of a material having waveguiding properties, said member having first and second parallel surfaces, said board having a reflective coating on each of said first and second surfaces.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said board has a light source coupled thereto for directing light into the edge of said board.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said board also includes a window in one of said coating for allowing light to escape from said board.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said board includes a light sensor coupled to said board at said window.

5. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said light source is a laser diode.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the light from said laser diode is directed at the edge of said board in a manner and at an angle to be reflected back and forth between said reflective coatings.

7. Apparatus including a printed circuit board comprising a transparent material, said board having first and second major surfaces and an edge, said apparatus including a light source positioned to direct light at said edge, said apparatus including a sensor coupled to said first surface for sensing said light.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7 also including a reflective coating on each of said major surfaces.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said coating on said first major surface includes a window.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 also including a light sensor coupled to said board at said window and responsive to said light.