Connecting Different Types of Fiber Optic Cables with an Adapter

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.

What it covers

The patent details an optical waveguide adapter assembly designed to link two different types of fiber optic cables: a solid core optical waveguide and a hollow core optical waveguide. The core idea is an "optical mode field adapter" that sits between them. This adapter has a waveguiding core whose shape or refractive index property changes the "optical mode field size" of the light signal. Specifically, it transitions the light's beam size from the "first optical mode field size" of the solid core waveguide to the "second optical mode field size" of the hollow core waveguide (Claim 1). This ensures the light signal travels efficiently without significant loss when moving from one fiber type to the other. For instance, if a data center uses traditional silica fibers for short runs but wants to use faster hollow core fibers for longer distances, this adapter would allow a seamless connection.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover connecting two solid core optical waveguides without a mode field adapter.
• —Does not cover connecting two hollow core optical waveguides without a mode field adapter.
• —Does not cover an adapter that connects different fiber types without actively changing the optical mode field size.
• —Does not cover systems that exclusively use either solid core or hollow core optical waveguides, but not both.
• —Does not cover optical connections where the mode field adapter is not directly joined to both the solid and hollow core waveguides as specified in Claim 1.

The clever bit

The innovation lies in the optical mode field adapter's ability to precisely change the optical mode field size of the light signal. This smooth transition, either through shaping the core or adjusting its refractive index, minimizes signal loss when connecting two fundamentally different types of optical waveguides, which typically have incompatible light-guiding characteristics.

Why it matters

Connecting different types of optical fibers, especially newer hollow core fibers, to existing infrastructure is a technical challenge. Hollow core fibers can transmit data faster and with less latency, but their light-guiding properties are different from standard solid core fibers. This adapter allows for efficient integration, potentially enabling upgrades to existing fiber networks without a complete overhaul. It's crucial for industries looking to leverage the benefits of hollow core technology while maintaining compatibility with current systems.

Real-world examples

• 1.High-speed data center interconnects
• 2.Telecommunications backbone networks
• 3.Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks upgrading to advanced fiber types
• 4.Specialized industrial sensing applications using mixed fiber types
• 5.Research and development labs testing new fiber optic technologies