Multiple methods and systems for connecting or tapping into fiber optics

• US 6,519,391 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lextron Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lextron Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Kikinis, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Robert H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, RICHARD H
• Application Number:
  US09/877,554
• Publication Number:
  US 20020001434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 385/40, 385/2, 385/8, 385/13, 385/32, 385/48, 385/49
• US Class Current: 385/40
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2852 using tapping light guides arranged sidewardly, e.g. in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the bus light guides (light extraction or launching through cladding, with or without surface discontinuities, bent structures)
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4215 the intermediate optical elements being wavelength selective optical elements, e.g. variable wavelength optical modules or wavelength lockers G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4289 by inducing bending, microbending or macrobending, to the light guide

Abstract

An apparatus for interfacing optical signals to an optical fiber has a layered interface element with a first electrically conductive layer defining a first surface, a photoactive material layer in intimate contact with the first layer on a second surface opposite the first surface, a second electrically conductive layer in intimate contact with the photoactive material layer, confining the photoactive material layer between the first and second electrically conductive layers, and a third surface angularly disposed to the first surface and intersecting the photoactive material layer; and a pressure element having a contact surface translatable toward the first surface of the interface element, to urge an optical fiber positioned across the interface element into the first surface, and by local deformation of the optical fiber also into the third surface, creating thereby an intimate contact region between an edge of the photoactive layer intersecting the third surface and the optical fiber. Indentions may be provided in a fiber to facilitate engagement of elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus for interfacing optical signals to an optical fiber comprising:

a layered interface element comprising a first electrically conductive layer defining a first surface, a photoactive material layer in intimate contact with the first layer on a second surface opposite the first surface, a second electrically conductive layer in intimate contact with the photoactive material layer, confining the photoactive material layer between the first and second electrically conductive layers, and a third surface angularly disposed to the first surface and intersecting the photoactive material layer; and

a pressure element having a contact surface translatable toward the first surface of the interface element, to urge an optical fiber positioned across the interface element into the first surface, and by local deformation of the optical fiber also into the third surface, creating thereby an intimate contact region between an edge of the photoactive layer intersecting the third surface and the optical fiber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the photoactive material is a photosensitive material, and light intercepted by the photosensitive layer is converted to a voltage between the first and second conductive layers.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising electrodes implemented on the two electrically conductive layers, the electrodes connected to electrical circuitry for forming an electrical signal in response to the light intercepted by the photosensitive material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising electrodes implemented on the two conductive layers to apply voltage signals to the photoactive material layer, the photoactive material is a material that emits light in response to the electrical signals applied, and the light emitted is edge-emitted into the optical fiber at the intimate contact region.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure element has a resilient covering on the contact surface to avoid damage to the optical fiber placed under pressure.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of separate interface elements extending from a common layered structure, the separate interface elements spaced apart by a distance related to the wave-length of light to be transmitted in an optical fiber to be interfaced to the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising an optically occluding covering upon each of the plurality of interface elements on a side opposite the side of the third surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interface element and the pressure element are joined by a translation mechanism allowing translation of the pressure element toward the interface element.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the translation mechanism is a hinge connected to each of the interface element and the pressure element.

10. A method for non-invasive interfacing of signals to an optical fiber, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a layered interface element comprising a first electrically conductive layer defining a first surface, a photoactive material layer in intimate contact with the first layer on a second surface opposite the first surface, a second electrically conductive layer in intimate contact with the photoactive material layer, confining the photoactive material layer between the first and second electrically conductive layers, and a third surface angularly disposed to the first surface and intersecting the photoactive material layer; and

(b) urging an optical fiber positioned across the interface element into the first surface, and by local deformation of the fiber into the third surface, by a pressure element having a contact surface translatable toward the first surface of the interface element, creating thereby an intimate contact region between an edge of the photoactive layer intersecting the third surface and the optical fiber.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the photoactive material is a photosensitive material, and light intercepted by the photosensitive layer is converted to a voltage between the first and second conductive layers.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein electrodes are implemented on the two electrically conductive layers, the electrodes connected to electrical circuitry for forming an electrical signal in response to the light intercepted by the photosensitive material.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein electrodes are implemented on the two conductive layers to apply voltage signals to the photoactive material layer, the photoactive material is a material that emits light in response to the electrical signals applied, and the light emitted is edge-emitted into the optical fiber at the intimate contact region.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the pressure element has a resilient covering on the contact surface to avoid damage to the optical fiber placed under pressure.

15. The method of claim 10 comprising a plurality of separate interface elements extending from a common layered structure, the separate interface elements spaced apart by a distance related to the wave-length of light to be transmitted in an optical fiber to be interfaced to the apparatus.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising an optically occluding covering upon each of the plurality of interface elements on a side opposite the side of the third surface.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the interface element and the pressure element are joined by a translation mechanism allowing translation of the pressure element toward the interface element.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the translation mechanism is a hinge connected to each of the interface element and the pressure element.

19. An optical fiber constructed to interface to a non-invasive signal transformation apparatus, the fiber comprising:

a substantially constant diameter along a longitudinal axis of the fiber; and

indentions implemented at repeated distances along the fiber to interface the fiber to one or more layered interface elements, the interface elements each comprising a first electrically conductive layer defining a first surface, a photoactive material layer in intimate contact with the first layer on a second surface opposite the first surface, a second electrically conductive layer in intimate contact with the photoactive material layer, confining the photoactive material layer between the first and second electrically conductive layers, and a third surface angularly disposed to the first surface and intersecting the photoactive material layer;

characterized in that the indentions are shaped to engage the interface elements in a manner that brings an edge of the photoactive material layer into intimate contact with a region of the fiber at an angle other than at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the fiber.

20. The fiber of claim 19 wherein individual ones of said indentions are formed on opposite sides of a diameter of the fiber.

21. A method for interfacing an optical fiber to a non-invasive layered interface element comprising a first electrically conductive layer defining a first surface, a photoactive material layer in intimate contact with the first layer on a second surface opposite the first surface, a second electrically conductive layer in intimate contact with the photoactive material layer, confining the photoactive material layer between the first and second electrically conductive layers, and a third surface angularly disposed to the first surface and intersecting the photoactive material layer, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming an indention in the fiber substantially at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the fiber, the indention shaped to contact the interface element in a first indention region with the first surface substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fiber, and with the third surface and the edge of the photoactive material layer in contact with a second region of the indention, the edge of the photoactive region then facing into the fiber at an angle other than at a right angle with the longitudinal axis of the fiber; and

(b) engaging the interface element with the indention.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein, in step (a) indentions are formed at repeated intervals along a length of the fiber.