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Low profile local injection and detection system for optical fiber waveguides

  • US 7,004,640 B2
  • Filed: 03/23/2004
  • Issued: 02/28/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for assessing the transmission of light between a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber associated therewith, said system comprising:

  • a) a light injector having an injector base attachable to a substrate, and comprising;

    (i) an injector cover, at least a portion of which is slidably movable in a plane parallel to said injector base, said movable portion having an open position and a closed position, the open position permitting insertion of said first fiber into said injector;

    (ii) an injector window having an entry face and a concave, arcuate exit face;

    (iii) an injector mandrel having a shape complementary to that of said exit face of said injector window, and being biased to clasp a portion of said first optical fiber in intimate contact between said injector mandrel and said exit face of said injector window, said injector mandrel being reversibly retractable from said exit face in response to motion of said injector cover from the closed position to the open position thereof;

    (iv) a light source positioned proximate said entry face of said injector window, whereby light emanating from said source passes through said injector window into said first fiber at said exit face; and

    (v) said first fiber entering said injector in an entry direction and emerging from said injector in an exit direction, said entry and exit directions being substantially parallel, and said first fiber traversing a path through said injector substantially in a plane parallel to said injector base;

    b) A light detector having a detector base attachable to said substrate and comprising;

    (i) an detector cover, at least a portion of which is slidably movable in a plane parallel to said detector base, said movable portion having an open position and a closed position, the open position permitting insertion of said second fiber into said detector;

    (ii) a detector window having a concave, arcuate entry face and an exit face;

    (iii) a detector mandrel having a shape complementary to that of said entry face of said detector window, said detector mandrel being biased to clasp a portion of said second optical fiber in intimate contact between said detector mandrel and said entry face of said detector window, and said detector mandrel being reversibly retractable from said entry face in response to motion of said detector cover from the closed position to the open position thereof;

    (iv) a light responsive element to detect light emerging from said fiber, said light responsive element being positioned proximate said exit face, whereby light emanating from said fiber at said entry face passes through said detector window into said light responsive element; and

    (v) said second fiber entering said detector in an entry direction and emerging from said detector in an exit direction, said entry and exit directions being substantially parallel, and said second fiber traversing a path through said detector substantially in a plane parallel to said detector base;

    c) a driver operably connected to energize said light source; and

    d) a receiver for determining the intensity of light incident on said light responsive element.

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