Routing Light Between Fiber Cores Using Special Reflectors

This patent describes a fiber optic connector that uses tiny, specially designed reflectors called holographic Bragg gratings to precisely guide light signals from one optical fiber to multiple other fibers, even separating different colors (wavelengths) of light.

What it covers

The patent describes an optical device that connects optical fibers using a pair of substrates (Claim 1). Each substrate has an alignment feature, like a groove (Claim 7), to hold an optical fiber. A key component is a holographic Bragg grating reflector on each substrate face (Claim 1). These gratings work together to direct light. For example, light from a first fiber's core travels through the second grating, then the first grating, to reach a specific core in a second fiber (Claim 1). This setup can also route different wavelengths (colors) of light from a single input fiber to different output fiber cores (Claim 4).

What it doesn't cover

• —Optical connectors that do not use holographic Bragg grating reflectors.
• —Systems that route light without involving two distinct substrates each bearing a grating as described in Claim 1.
• —Connectors that rely solely on direct physical contact or simple lenses for light coupling, without the described grating-based optical path.
• —Optical devices that do not separate or combine optical signals based on wavelength, as described in Claims 4 and 5.
• —Optical devices where the holographic Bragg grating is not positioned as described, such as lateral to alignment features with additional reflectors as in Claim 11.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in the precise, integrated arrangement of two holographic Bragg grating reflectors on opposing substrates to define specific optical paths between fiber cores. This allows for complex routing, including wavelength-dependent signal separation, within a compact connector.

Why it matters

This technology is important for creating compact and efficient fiber optic connectors, especially in applications requiring high data density. By precisely routing multiple light signals, potentially at different wavelengths, it can improve the capacity and flexibility of optical networks. This is crucial for data centers and telecommunications infrastructure that rely on advanced fiber optic cabling.

Real-world examples

• 1.High-density fiber optic patch panels
• 2.Multi-fiber array connectors
• 3.Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) modules
• 4.Data center interconnects