Optical conductor branch connection for data transmission system - uses cylindrical rod lens with angled semi-reflective face

摘要

The branch connection allows a given beam component to be combined with or extracted from the optical information beam fed along the conductor. It uses a beam splitter comprising a cylindrical rod lens (21) with a sensor reflective face (24) at a given angle relative to the lens axis. The semi-reflective face (24) is pref. within the lens (21) and at an angle of at least 20 degrees to its axis. The refractive index of the lens (21) may decrease with its radius from the centre. The lens (21) may have a four-cornered cross-section and be formed in two halves between which the beam splitter is positioned. The semi-reflective surface (24) may be electrically or magnetically variable, e.g. to control the attenuation losses.