OPTICAL COUPLER FOR COUPLING LIGHT BETWEEN ONE AND A PLURALITY OF LIGHT PORTS

摘要

An optical coupler for coupling light along an axis between a light port on one side of the coupler and a plurality of light ports on another side of the coupler. The coupler comprises a one-side stage with a light port and a many-side stage with a plurality of arms situated about the axis, each having a light port. A midpu t region separates the one-side and many-side stages and is situated along the axis where the plurality of arms at least initially starts to split from each other in a direction towards the many-side light ports along the axis. Cross sections of each of the respecti ve initial portions of the arms along the direction are arranged about the same distanc e from the axis. The cross sectional areas of the arms along the axis are larger at a break point region at which the arms fully separate from each other along the axis than at the many- side light ports. At least a pair of the arms each start to split along the direction in a substantially symmetrical manner about the axis.