Connectors for multicore optical fibers and methods thereof
| DWPI Title: Optical coupling system for multicore optical fiber, has first and second lens assemblies that comprises subarray of microlenses, where each microlens is aligned with respective core of first or second multicore optical fiber |
| Abstract: The present invention relates to optical coupling systems that employ a multicore optical fiber. The system can be employed with two multicore optical fibers or with a single multicore optical fiber for use with an optical device. In particular, the system includes connectors having a lens assembly configured to relay optical signals and a ferrule to position the lens assembly. Additional details for making and using such systems are described herein. |
| Use: Optical coupling system for multicore optical fiber. |
| Advantage: The spatial division multiplexing with multicore optical fiber (MCF) enables higher fiber bandwidth and channel density than traditional single-core fibers. The collimated gap between the two connectors can be maintained to minimize insertion loss. The coupler can include a pair of collimating lenses arranged within each section of the coupler, such that the position of the collimating lenses within the coupler provides the desired collimated optical signal for effective transmission. The ferrule can be formed from any useful material with sufficient rigidity to minimize bending of the optical fiber, and the lens assembly can be formed from any optically clear material capable of relaying an optical signal with minimal loss. The optical systems can be optimized to realize high-efficiency optical coupling between the vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and the optical fiber and between the optical fiber and the photodiode (PD). |
| Novelty: The optical coupling system has a first connector (100) that is configured to transmit an optical signal from a first multicore optical fiber. The first connector comprises a first lens assembly configured to relay the optical signal from each core of the first multicore optical fiber (120). A first ferrule configured to adapt to an end of the first multicore optical fiber. A second connector (100') configured to relay an optical signal from the first multicore optical fiber to a second multicore optical fiber. A second ferrule configured to adapt to an end of the second multicore optical fiber. The first and second connectors are separated by a collimated gap (130) and which maintains the collimated gap. The first and second lens assemblies comprises a subarray of microlenses and each microlens (102) is configured to be aligned with a respective core of the first or second multicore optical fiber. |
| Filed: 8/16/2016 |
| Application Number: US15238518A |
| Tech ID: SD 13268.1 |
| 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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