Blockless techniques for simultaneous polishing of multiple fiber optics
First Claim
1. A method for removing material from a plurality of fiber optics, comprising:
- providing an at least partially rounded and smooth surface;
temporarily affixing respective portions of the fiber optics over the top of the smooth surface;
simultaneously polishing material from the respective portions of the fiber optics; and
removing the fiber optics from the surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for polishing the side surfaces of fiber optics destined for devices in which the evanescent optical field of the optics must be accessed through polished side surfaces thereof. A plurality of fiber optics are temporarily affixed to a rounded surface, for polishing of the outer-facing surfaces thereof. In one embodiment, fiber optics are positioned across a cylindrical lens, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof, and are temporarily affixed thereto using a wax. Polishing commences, which can be monitored for progress using visual or optical power measurements. The fiber optics are thereafter removed from the lens, ready for installation into their respective devices.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for removing material from a plurality of fiber optics, comprising:
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providing an at least partially rounded and smooth surface;
temporarily affixing respective portions of the fiber optics over the top of the smooth surface;
simultaneously polishing material from the respective portions of the fiber optics; and
removing the fiber optics from the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
temporarily affixing the plurality of fiber optics side-by-side on the surface.
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3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least partially rounded surface comprises a cylindrical surface, and the temporarily affixing includes:
temporarily affixing the plurality of fiber optics side-by-side on the surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface.
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4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
leveling the cylindrical surface at least along its longitudinal axis prior to said polishing to ensure substantial uniform polishing of the plurality of fiber optics.
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5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least partially rounded surface comprises a cylindrical surface.
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6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
checking a polishing depth of at least one of said fibers using an optical loss measurement prior to said removing.
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7. The method of claim 6, wherein said checking includes:
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applying a material over a polished surface of the at least one fiber;
transmitting optical energy through the at least one fiber; and
optically measuring an amount of optical energy lost through said material.
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8. The method of claim 1, wherein the temporarily affixing includes:
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temporarily affixing the fibers with a wax while the fibers are temporarily held in place on the surface; and
wherein the removing includes; removing the wax.
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9. A method for simultaneously removing material from a plurality of fiber optics, comprising:
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temporarily affixing the plurality of fiber optics over the top of a smooth cylindrical surface, and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof;
simultaneously polishing the material from the plurality of fiber optics; and
removing the plurality of fiber optics from the cylindrical surface. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
leveling the cylindrical surface at least along its longitudinal axis prior to said polishing to ensure substantially uniform polishing of the plurality of fiber optics.
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Specification