Total-internal-reflection fiber optic interface modules and assemblies
First Claim
1. A fiber optic interface module configured to support one or more optical fibers, comprising:
- a module body that has front and rear ends, a top surface, a bottom surface and opposing sides, and that is substantially transparent to light having an infrared wavelength;
one or more optical fiber support features formed in the top surface and configured to support respective one or more optical fibers;
a ridge formed in the top surface and having an angled wall that defines a total-internal-reflection (TIR) mirror;
a recess formed in the module body in the bottom surface adjacent the front end and that defines a recess ceiling;
one or more lens surfaces formed on the recess ceiling and having respective folded lens axes that are aligned with the one or more optical fiber support features and the TIR surface, with the one or more lens surfaces defining respective one or more back focus distances F2 from the end wall of the ridge, wherein F2 is greater than zero.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic interface module and assemblies using same are disclosed, wherein the modules have at least one lens that defines a folded optical path through the module body. The module operably supports one or more optical fibers adjacent an end wall. The module includes one or more lenses formed therein for coupling light from one or more light sources to the corresponding one or more optical fibers. The one or more lenses each have a folded optical path formed by total internal reflection within the module body. The one or more lenses each include a lens surface configured to define a back focus that resides within a corresponding one of the optical fibers.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fiber optic interface module configured to support one or more optical fibers, comprising:
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a module body that has front and rear ends, a top surface, a bottom surface and opposing sides, and that is substantially transparent to light having an infrared wavelength; one or more optical fiber support features formed in the top surface and configured to support respective one or more optical fibers; a ridge formed in the top surface and having an angled wall that defines a total-internal-reflection (TIR) mirror; a recess formed in the module body in the bottom surface adjacent the front end and that defines a recess ceiling; one or more lens surfaces formed on the recess ceiling and having respective folded lens axes that are aligned with the one or more optical fiber support features and the TIR surface, with the one or more lens surfaces defining respective one or more back focus distances F2 from the end wall of the ridge, wherein F2 is greater than zero. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A fiber optic interface assembly for providing optical communication between at least one optical fiber and at least one active photo-device, comprising:
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a module having a module body that is transparent to light having an infrared wavelength and that is generally configured as a rectangular cuboid having front and rear ends, a top surface and a bottom surface, with the bottom surface having a recess that is open at the front end and that defines a recess ceiling; at least one optical fiber support feature formed in the top surface and configured to operably support the at least one optical fiber; a ridge formed in the top surface and that defines a substantially vertical end wall that terminates the at least one optical fiber support feature, the ridge having an angled wall that defines a total-internal-reflection (TIR) mirror; the at least one optical fiber supported in the at least one optical fiber support feature and having a central axis and an end that interfaces with the end wall; at least one lens surface formed on the recess ceiling and having a lens axis that is aligned with the at least one optical fiber support feature and that is folded by the TIR mirror; and the at least one active photo-device operably disposed adjacent and spaced apart from the at least one lens surface so that the at least one active photo-device is in optical communication with the at least one optical fiber over a corresponding at least one folded optical path that includes a single air-module interface at the lens surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification