Optical-fiber array method and apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers configured to transmit a plurality of optical signals, wherein the plurality of optical fibers includes a first optical fiber configured to transmit a first optical signal and a second optical fiber configured to transmit a second optical signal; and
a fiber-array plate configured to receive the plurality of optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers and emit a composite output beam, wherein the fiber-array plate includes a first surface and a second optical-signal-output surface, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are connected to the first surface of the fiber-array plate to provide an uninterrupted all-glass propagation path for the plurality of optical signals propagating between the plurality of optical fibers and the second optical-signal-output surface of the fiber-array plate, wherein the second surface of the fiber-array plate includes a single convex curvature for both the first optical signal and the second optical signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for forming an optical-fiber-array assembly, which include providing a plurality of optical fibers including a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, providing a fiber-array plate that includes a first surface and a second surface, connecting the plurality of optical fibers to the first surface of the fiber-array plate, transmitting a plurality of optical signals through the optical fibers into the fiber-array plate at the first surface of the fiber-array plate, and emitting from the second surface of the fiber-array plate a composite output beam having light from the plurality of optical signals. Optionally, the first surface of the fiber-array plate includes indicia configured to assist in the alignment of the plurality of optical fibers on the first surface of the fiber-array plate. In some embodiments, the second surface of the fiber-array plate includes a plurality of beam-shaping optics configured to shape the composite output beam.
241 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of optical fibers configured to transmit a plurality of optical signals, wherein the plurality of optical fibers includes a first optical fiber configured to transmit a first optical signal and a second optical fiber configured to transmit a second optical signal; and a fiber-array plate configured to receive the plurality of optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers and emit a composite output beam, wherein the fiber-array plate includes a first surface and a second optical-signal-output surface, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are connected to the first surface of the fiber-array plate to provide an uninterrupted all-glass propagation path for the plurality of optical signals propagating between the plurality of optical fibers and the second optical-signal-output surface of the fiber-array plate, wherein the second surface of the fiber-array plate includes a single convex curvature for both the first optical signal and the second optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of optical fibers including a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber; providing a fiber-array plate, wherein the fiber-array plate includes a first surface and a second optical-signal-output surface; connecting the plurality of optical fibers to the first surface of the fiber-array plate; transmitting a plurality of optical signals through the plurality of optical fibers and into the fiber-array plate at the first surface of the fiber-array plate, wherein the connecting includes providing an uninterrupted all-glass propagation path for the plurality of optical signals propagating between the plurality of optical fibers and the second optical-signal-output surface; and emitting a composite output beam from the second optical-signal-output surface of the fiber-array plate, wherein the emitting of the composite output beam includes shaping the composite output beam, wherein the providing of the fiber-array plate includes providing a curved second surface of the fiber-array plate, and wherein the shaping of the composite output beam includes transmitting the plurality of optical signals through the curved second surface. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of optical fibers including a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber; providing a fiber-array plate, wherein the fiber-array plate includes a first surface and a second optical-signal-output surface; connecting the plurality of optical fibers to the first surface of the fiber-array plate; transmitting a plurality of optical signals through the plurality of optical fibers and into the fiber-array plate at the first surface of the fiber-array plate, wherein the connecting includes providing an uninterrupted all-glass propagation path for the plurality of optical signals propagating between the plurality of optical fibers and the second optical-signal-output surface; and emitting a composite output beam from the second optical-signal-output surface of the fiber-array plate, wherein the emitting of the composite output beam includes shaping the composite output beam, wherein the providing of the fiber-array plate includes providing a single convex second surface of the fiber-array plate, and wherein the shaping of the composite output beam includes transmitting the plurality of optical signals through the single convex second surface.
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16. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of optical fibers including a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber; providing a fiber-array plate, wherein the fiber-array plate includes a first surface and a second optical-signal-output surface; connecting the plurality of optical fibers to the first surface of the fiber-array plate; transmitting a plurality of optical signals through the plurality of optical fibers and into the fiber-array plate at the first surface of the fiber-array plate, wherein the connecting includes providing an uninterrupted all-glass propagation path for the plurality of optical signals propagating between the plurality of optical fibers and the second optical-signal-output surface; and emitting a composite output beam from the second optical-signal-output surface of the fiber-array plate, wherein the emitting of the composite output beam includes shaping the composite output beam, wherein the providing of the fiber-array plate includes providing a concave second surface of the fiber-array plate, and wherein the shaping of the composite output beam includes transmitting the plurality of optical signals through the concave second surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification