Reflection suppression for an optical fiber
First Claim
1. A method for managing back reflections from a first end of an optical waveguide of an optical system, comprising the steps of:
- coiling the first end of the optical waveguide around a coiling device; and
holding the coiled first end of the optical waveguide around the coiling device with a restraining device, wherein;
the coiled first end is operable to suppress the back reflections in response to transmitting light through the coiled first end,a second end of the optical waveguide is attached to a first optical communication device; and
the restraining device is operable to release the coiled first end of the optical waveguide for uncoiling to provide a communication link to a second optical communication device via the uncoiled first end.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Forming a plurality of loops in an optical fiber around a spool adjacent to an exposed end face can suppress internal reflections from the exposed end face. The radius of the loops can attenuate light that is propagating to and from the end face by causing light to leak out of the optical fiber'"'"'s core and into its cladding. The radius can be selected to control physical stress in the optical fiber and promote reliability. The radius and the number of loops can be selected to meet a return loss specification. The loops can be formed by coiling the optical fiber around a spool that includes a slot for holding the optical fiber until it is put into service.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for managing back reflections from a first end of an optical waveguide of an optical system, comprising the steps of:
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coiling the first end of the optical waveguide around a coiling device; and holding the coiled first end of the optical waveguide around the coiling device with a restraining device, wherein; the coiled first end is operable to suppress the back reflections in response to transmitting light through the coiled first end, a second end of the optical waveguide is attached to a first optical communication device; and the restraining device is operable to release the coiled first end of the optical waveguide for uncoiling to provide a communication link to a second optical communication device via the uncoiled first end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An optical system comprising an optical waveguide and a radius controlling device having a release, the optical waveguide comprising:
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a cylindrical core having a first refractive index, the core comprising a light conducting material operative to guide light; a cladding axially surrounding the core and operative to guide light, the cladding having a second refractive index lower that the first refractive index; a first end; a second end opposite the first end, the second end comprising an end face operative to reflect light back into the cylindrical core; and a coil between the first end and the second end operative to suppress reflection from the end face, wherein the release is operable to; restrain the coil around the radius controlling device with a controlled radius operative to attenuate guided light while controlling mechanical stresses of the optical waveguide; and release the coil from around the radius controlling device to extend the optical waveguide to provide optical communication service over the optical waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An optical system comprising:
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a spool having a radius; and an optical fiber having a source end attached to an optical communication source, an end face opposite the source end, and a section adjacent the end face; and a restraint operative to; hold the section in a coiled state around the spool to suppress reflections from the end face; and release the section from the coiled state around the spool to provide communication service to a site by coupling the released optical fiber to an optical device at the site. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification