Optical waveguide and optical information processing device

• US 7,346,260 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Arakida, Takahiro, Nakata, Hidehiko, Suzuki, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Font; Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHIEM, DINH D
• Application Number:
  US10/934,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20050053330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 385/31, 385/46, 385/146
• US Class Current: 385/146
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12147 Coupler
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12195 Tapering
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12004 Combinations of two or more optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/42 Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
• 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 6/4298 coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers

Abstract

A core layer has a light entrance region and a light exit region, said light entrance region having a width greater than said light exit region. The light entrance region has at least a side surface shaped as a reflecting surface. The light entrance region has an end having a parabolic shape. An LED is disposed in contact with a lower surface of the light entrance region. Signal light is introduced from the LED into the light entrance region with increased light entrance efficiency, and is highly efficiently reflected by the side surface of the light entrance region for higher light collecting efficiency.

Claims

1. An optical waveguide comprising:

a joined assembly of a core layer and a cladding layer;

said core layer having a light entrance region and a light exit region, said light entrance region having a width greater than said light exit region;

said light entrance region having at least a side surface shaped as a reflecting surface for reflecting light applied to said light entrance region toward said light exit region; and

a light source disposed in contact with or in facing relation to an outer-surface of said light entrance region of said core layer in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of light travel from the light entrance region of the core to the light exit region of the core,

wherein said core layer has at least two separate core branches each having said light entrance region, said core branches being joined together at said light exit region to provide a common light exit end.

2. The optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein light signals having different wavelength ranges are collected and combined together in said common light exit end.

3. An optical waveguide comprising:

a joined assembly of a core layer and a cladding layer;

said core layer having a light entrance region and a light exit region;

said light entrance region having at least a side surface shaped as a reflecting surface for reflecting light applied to said light entrance region toward said light exit region; and

a light source disposed in contact with or in facing relation to an outer-surface of said light entrance region of said core layer in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of light travel from the light entrance region of the core to the light exit region of the core,

wherein said core layer has at least two separate core branches each having said light entrance region, said core branches being joined together at said light exit region to provide a common light exit end.

4. The optical waveguide according to claim 3, wherein light signals having different wavelength ranges are collected and combined together in said common light exit end.