Optical path changing device

• US 6,907,173 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Hiramatsu, Seiki
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): El-Shammaa, Mary
• Application Number:
  US10/395,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 385/39, 385/88, 385/129, 385/132, 385/144, 385/126, 385/123
• US Class Current: 385/126
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12104 Mirror; Reflectors or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12173 Masking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/122 Basic optical elements, e.g. light-guiding paths
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1221 made from organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/13 Integrated optical circuits characterised by the manufacturing method
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/132 by deposition of thin films
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/136 by etching
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/26 Optical coupling means G02B6/36, G02B6/42 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4214 the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4232 using the surface tension of fluid solder to align the elements, e.g. solder bump techniques flip-chip mounting techniques in assembly of semiconductor devices H01L24/81
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/43 Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections

Abstract

Cores are embedded in a cladding, each core constituting a continuous optical path in which a first core end surface is exposed at a first end surface, and a second core end surface is exposed at a second end surface. Each of the continuous optical paths extends from the first core end surface to a mirror surface, is changed in direction at the minor surface, and then extends to the second core end surface. The first core end surfaces and the second core end surfaces are respectively arranged two-dimensionally at the first end surface and the second end surface.

Claims

1. An optical path changing device comprising:

a cladding including a first surface, a second surface, and a first mirror surface; and

at least three cores embedded in said cladding, each core constituting a continuous optical path in which a first core end surface is exposed at said first surface and a second core end surface is exposed at said second surface, each of said continuous optical paths extending from said first core end surface to said first mirror surface, being changed in direction at said first mirror surface, and extending to said second core end surface, wherein said first core end surfaces and said second core end surfaces are arranged two-dimensionally at said first surface and at said second surface, respectively.

2. The optical path changing device according to claim 1, wherein optical path cross-sectional area of at least one of said cores increases gradually in a direction away from said mirror surface, toward said first surface, at least proximate said first core end surface.

3. The optical path changing device according to claim 1, wherein optical path cross-sectional area of at least one of said cores decreases gradually in a direction away from said mirror surface, toward said first surface, at least proximate said first core end surface.

4. The optical path changing device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said cores includes a branch core branching off at an intermediate portion between said first mirror surface and said first surface, said branch core being exposed at said first surface.

5. The optical path changing device according to claim 1, including a second mirror surface on said cladding in said continuous optical paths between said first mirror surface and said second surface for changing direction of said optical paths of said cores.

6. The optical path changing device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second surfaces are transverse to each other and said first mirror surface is oblique to said first and second surfaces.

7. The optical path changing device according to claim 5, wherein said first and second surfaces are coplanar and said first and second mirror surfaces are oblique to said first and second surfaces.

8. The optical path changing device according to claim 5, wherein said first and second surfaces are parallel, but not coplanar, and said first and second mirror surfaces are oblique to said first and second surfaces.

9. An optical path changing device comprising:

a cladding including a first surface, a second surface, and a first mirror surface; and

at least first and second cores embedded in said cladding and disposed in a common plane, substantially perpendicular to said first, second, and mirror surfaces, wherein,

said first and second cores respectively constitute first and second continuous optical paths in which a first core end surface is exposed at said first surface, and a second core end surface is exposed at said second surface,

each of said first and second continuous optical paths extends from said first core end surface to said first mirror surface, is changed in direction at said first mirror surface, and extends to said second core end surface, and

said first and second cores intersect within said cladding to produce a third continuous optical path from said first core end surface of said first core to said second core end surface of said second core.

10. The optical path changing device according to claim 9, wherein optical path cross-sectional area of at least one of said cores increases gradually in a direction away from said mirror surface, toward said first surface, at least proximate said first core end surface.

11. The optical path changing device according to claim 9, wherein optical path cross-sectional area of at least one of said cores decreases gradually in a direction away from said mirror surface, toward said first surface, at least proximate said first core end surface.

12. The optical path changing device according to claim 9, including a second mirror surface on said cladding in said continuous optical paths between said first mirror surface and said second surface for changing direction of said first and second optical paths of said cores.

13. The optical path changing device according to claim 12, wherein said first and second surfaces are coplanar and said first and second mirror surfaces are oblique to said first and second surfaces.

14. The optical path changing device according to claim 12, wherein said first and second surfaces are parallel, but not coplanar, and said first and second mirror surfaces are oblique to said first and second surfaces.

15. The optical path changing device according to claim 9, wherein said first and second surfaces are transverse to each other and said first mirror surface is oblique to said first and second surfaces.