Blockless techniques for simultaneous polishing of multiple fiber optics

• US 6,374,011 B1
• Filed: 08/25/1998
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Molecular Optoelectronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Molecular Optoelectronics Corporation
• Inventors: Labarge, Kim R., McCallion, Kevin J., Wagoner, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sanghavi, Hemang
• Application Number:
  US09/139,832
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 385/30, 385/37, 385/50, 385/134, 385/83, 385/85, 385/135, 385/137, 385/140, 451/41, 451/42, 451/11, 451/277, 451/278
• US Class Current: 385/30
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 1/00 Processes of grinding or polishing; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such processes
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 19/226 of the ends of optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/266 the optical element being an attenuator
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2826 using mechanical machining means for shaping of the couplers, e.g. grinding or polishing grinding, polishing in general B24

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the temporarily affixing includes:

temporarily affixing the plurality of fiber optics side-by-side on the surface.

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.

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.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least partially rounded surface comprises a cylindrical surface.

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.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said checking includes:

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.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the temporarily affixing includes:

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.

9. A method for simultaneously removing material from a plurality of fiber optics, comprising:

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.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical surface comprises a glass lens.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

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.