Micro-lensed fiber optic plate and methods of forming thereof
| DWPI Title: Method for forming micro-lensed fiber optic plate (FOP), involves creating lensed surface at second end of fiber of multiple fibers, where second end is opposite to first end, and cupped structure is formed at second end of fibers |
| Abstract: A method of forming a micro-lensed fiber optic plate. The method includes obtaining a fiber optic plate that has a plurality of fibers arranged in parallel. A first end of a fiber of the plurality of fibers can have a first numerical aperture. The fiber of the plurality of fibers includes a core material running along a length of the fiber that is circumscribed by a layer of cladding material. The method also includes creating a lensed surface at a second end of the fiber of the plurality of fibers. The second end is opposite the first end. The lensed surface of the fiber of the plurality of fibers can have a second numerical aperture that is different from the first numerical aperture. |
| Use: Method for forming a micro-lensed fiber optic plate (claimed) of an optical device. |
| Advantage: By decoupling the first numerical aperture and the second numerical aperture, the micro-lensed FOP can limit the light loss that occurs with conventional FOPs. |
| Novelty: The method involves obtaining a fiber optic plate, where the fiber optic plate comprises multiple fibers arranged in parallel. A core material (204) runs along a length of the fiber that is circumscribed by a layer of cladding material (206). A lensed surface (210) is created at the end of the fibers. A portion of the core material is exposed by melting the exposed portion (208). The remaining portion of the photoresist material is etched by forming the lensed surface. A cupped structure is formed at the second end of the fibers. A ball lens is placed in the cupped structure. |
| Filed: 4/13/2021 |
| Application Number: US17228957A |
| Tech ID: SD 15197.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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