| 摘要 |
An optical coupling pad Ä40,50,150Ü for use in optical systems in which light passes between first and second optical components Ä20,41,102,120Ü. The present invention reduces reflections at the boundaries of the two optical components by filling the space between the two optical components Ä20,41,102,120Ü with a material having an index of refraction between that of the indices of the two optical components Ä20,41,102,120Ü. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optical index matching material is provided in the form of a resilient pad Ä50Ü of a material adapted to be pressed between the first and second optical components Ä20,41,102,120Ü thereby providing an optical path from the first optical component Ä20,102Ü to the second optical component Ä41,120Ü. The material is transparent at the wavelength at which the optical components are to pass light. The material is chosen to have an index of refraction n such that 1<n</=n1 or 1<n</=n2, where n1 and n2 are the indices of refraction of the first and second optical components Ä20,41,102,120Ü. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resilient pad Ä50Ü has first and second surfaces adapted to be in contact with the first and second optical components. respectively, and the first and second surfaces comprise materials that wet the surfaces of the first and second optical components Ä20,41,102,120Ü which come into contact with the first and second surfaces. The resilient pad Ä50Ü is preferably provided as a layer Ä51Ü of material with removable protective sheets Ä52,53Ü in contact with the surfaces that are to be placed in contact with the optical components. <IMAGE> |
