Aligning guide using pressure-sensitive index change elastomer
First Claim
1. A method of optically aligning optical guides, comprising:
- positioning ends of first and second optical guides proximate a pressure-sensitive material, the first and second optical guides including at least one elongate optical guide; and
pressing the ends of the first and second optical guides against the pressure-sensitive material to induce a change in a refractive index of the pressure-sensitive material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical interconnect can be located between a first optical guide with a first optical guide end and a second optical guide with a second optical guide end. The first optical guide and the second optical guide can each have an operational wavelength, which can be substantially the same such that light of such a wavelength can propagate through the optical interconnect. The optical interconnect can include a pressure-sensitive material with a first region with a first refractive index at the operating wavelength. The pressure-sensitive material can include a second region with a second refractive index at the operating wavelength located between the first optical guide end and the second optical guide end. The second region can be induced by a mechanical pressure applied between the first guide end and the second guide end.
43 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of optically aligning optical guides, comprising:
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positioning ends of first and second optical guides proximate a pressure-sensitive material, the first and second optical guides including at least one elongate optical guide; and pressing the ends of the first and second optical guides against the pressure-sensitive material to induce a change in a refractive index of the pressure-sensitive material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of optically aligning optical guides, comprising:
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positioning a first end of a first optical guide and a second end of a second optical guide in contact with an elastomeric material having a variable refractive index, the first and second optical guides including at least one elongate optical guide; and inducing a change in a refractive index of a portion of the material sufficient to enable transmission of light from the first end of the first optical guide through the material to the second end of the second optical guide. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An assembly to align optical guides, comprising:
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a housing with a first opening and a second opening and a channel that extends between the first opening and the second opening, wherein the first opening is configured to receive a first end of a first optical guide and the second opening is configured to receive a second end of a second optical guide; an optical interconnect with a pressure-responsive variable refractive index positioned within the channel, wherein the pressure-responsive variable refractive index is capable of varying upon application of pressure; the first end of the first optical guide located in the first opening and biased against a surface of the optical interconnect; and the second end of the second optical guide located in the second opening and biased against a surface of the optical interconnect. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification