RIB-TYPE INTEGRATED OPTICAL INTERCONNECT

摘要

An integrated optical coupler connects one or more optical fibers to one or more remote sites by means of a rib, rather than channel, waveguide. Use of the rib design allow for light throughput evaluation prior to permanent fiber insertion, a much simpler covering member (and concomitant simplification of assembly), and a more uniform geometry of the light guiding structure. The rib waveguide structure (54) rises from the surface of the core layer (53) and is made of the same polymeric material. A polymeric cladding layer (55) is formed below the core layer. The optical fibers (64) are aligned and held in V-shaped grooves (52). The optical coupler is formed by molding.