# 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. - **Patent:** US 11646794 - **Original title:** Fiber optic connectors and connectorized fiber optic cables that include integrated photonic optical mode field converters and related methods - **Owner:** Commscope Inc of North Carolina - **Granted:** 2023 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 1 - **Field:** telecommunications, semiconductors, consumer_electronics ## What it does 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 does NOT 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. ## 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 ## 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. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Routing Light Between Fiber Cores Using Special Reflectors cover? 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. ### Who owns patent US 11646794? Commscope Inc of North Carolina owns this patent, granted in 2023. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on September 14, 2041, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 11646794 cited by? This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? 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. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Optical connectors that do not use holographic Bragg grating reflectors. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11646794/fiber-optic-connectors-and-connectorized-fiber-optic-cables-that-include-integra **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11646794 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [A Stamped Mirror to Connect Optical Fibers to Tiny Light Chips](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12422629/optical-connection-of-optical-fibers-to-grating-couplers) — This patent describes a method to precisely connect a standard optical fiber to a tiny light-based computer chip (a photonic integrated circuit) using a specially shaped, stamped mirror that redirects and reshapes the light. - [Connecting Different Types of Fiber Optic Cables with an Adapter](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12517303/optical-waveguide-adapter-assembly) — This patent describes a special adapter that smoothly connects a traditional solid core optical fiber to a newer hollow core optical fiber by carefully changing the light's beam size as it passes between them. - [How Tiny Bumps in Light Paths Improve Chip Communication](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11137544/method-and-system-for-grating-couplers-incorporating-perturbed-waveguides) — This patent describes a way to make tiny light-directing structures on computer chips more efficient by adding small, irregular bumps or changes to the light paths, helping chips talk to each other faster using light. - [How a Multi-Core Optical Fiber Reduces Signal Interference](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11480727/multi-core-optical-fiber) — This patent describes a multi-core optical fiber designed for short-distance data transmission, featuring a specific linear arrangement of at least four cores with alternating designs to minimize signal leakage between them. - [Flexible Silicon Chips That Send Data Using Light](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20130230274/photonic-flexible-interconnect) — This patent describes a flexible silicon chip that uses light to send data between different parts of a computer, making connections faster and potentially more compact.