초록 ▼

A low-cost star-coupler assembly primarily for use in optical data networks is fabricated from three modular components. The first component is a support plate having at least two sets of grooves into which polymer optical fibers may be placed and a central aperture. The second component is a wavegu

A low-cost star-coupler assembly primarily for use in optical data networks is fabricated from three modular components. The first component is a support plate having at least two sets of grooves into which polymer optical fibers may be placed and a central aperture. The second component is a waveguide plate which is designed to fit in the aperture. The third component is a cover plate having alignment means for aligning the components in fixed relationship and for holding polymer optical fibers in the grooves securely in place. The coupling structure is most useful with large-core polymer optical fibers. The modular design facilitates replacement of fibers. The components may be fabricated by injection molding thereby reducing the cost.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [18.] An optical network of polymer optical fibers including a planar star coupler comprising:a first plate having a top surface with an aperture disposed therein;a first set of grooves disposed in the top surface of said first plate extending from said aperture to a first edg

[ What is claimed is:] [18.] An optical network of polymer optical fibers including a planar star coupler comprising:a first plate having a top surface with an aperture disposed therein;a first set of grooves disposed in the top surface of said first plate extending from said aperture to a first edge of the top surface;a second set of grooves disposed in the top surface of said first plate extending from the said aperture to a second edge of the top surface;a removable waveguide plate dimensioned to fit into said aperture in said first plate;a second plate having an aperture therein located so that when said second plate is in juxtaposition with said first plate, said aperture in said first plate aligns with said aperture in said second plate;means for removably aligning and securing said first plate, said waveguide plate and said second plate in alignment;a first set of input polymer optical fibers disposed in said first set of grooves;a second set of output polymer fibers disposed in said second set of grooves; andsecuring means for securing said first and said second set of polymer fibers in respective said first and said second set of grooves.