US3860405A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bonding of optical components
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-13
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1992-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Optical waveguides, for example, clad or unclad optical fibers, are bonded to a substrate, or other workpiece, by the application of mechanical and/or thermal energy. In one embodiment, the energy is applied directly to the bond region. In a second embodiment, the energy is applied to the bond region through a compliant bonding member. Techniques for forming crossovers between two or more waveguides and for forming splices between waveguides are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Coucoulas
- 👤 Franklin Winston Dabby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:19
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2553; C; C03; C03B; C03B23/00; C03B23/20; C03C; C03C27/00; C03C27/06; C03C27/08; G02B6/2551; G02B6/26; G02B6/30; G02B6/36; G02B6/3628; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3806; G02B6/42; G02B6/43; G02B6/3608; G02B6/3612; G02B6/3632; G02B6/3636; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S228/00; Y10S228/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of splicing first and second glass waveguides to couple optical energy therebetween with a minimum of scattering, comprising the steps of: orienting said first waveguide on a glass substrate; orienting said second waveguide on the substrate so that the free end thereof is adjacent the free end of said first waveguide; and applying sufficient mechanical, thermal and/or vibratory energy to said waveguides and said substrate to raise said waveguides and said substrate to a temperature falling between the transformation temperature and the softening temperature of the waveguide to bond said waveguides to the substrate, whereby the relative alignment between the free ends of the waveguides is maintained, even in the presence of forces tending to disturb the alignment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of splicing first and second glass waveguides to couple optical energy therebetween with a minimum of scattering, comprising the steps of: orienting said first waveguide on a glass substrate; orienting said second waveguide on the substrate so that the free end thereof is adjacent the free end of said first waveguide; and applying sufficient mechanical, thermal and/or vibratory energy to said waveguides and said substrate to raise said waveguides and said substrate to a temperature falling between the transformation temperature and the softening temperature of the waveguide to bond said waveguides to the substrate, whereby the relative alignment between the free ends of the waveguides is maintained, even in the presence of forces tending to disturb the alignment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 including the further step of, prior to said energy-applying step, positioning a compliant member over the oriented waveguides, the mechanical and/or thermal energy being applied to said waveguides through said compliant member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said substrate comprises a longitudinal groove formed therein and said orienting step comprises positioning the first and second waveguides in said groove, prior to bonding.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming a crossover between first and second glass waveguides on a glass substrate, comprising the steps of: bonding said first waveguide to said substrate; orienting said second waveguide, with respect to said substrate, so that it crosses said first waveguide; impacting said second waveguide with a slotted bonding tool to apply sufficient mechanical and/or thermal energy thereto to raise said second waveguide and said substrate to a temperature falling between the transformation temperature and the softening temperature of the waveguide to bond said second waveguide to said substrate, the slot in said bonding tool extending longitudinally in said tool and parallel to said first waveguide whereby only those portions of said second waveguide lying away from said first waveguide are bonded thereby to form said crossover.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming a crossover between first and second glass waveguides on a glass substrate, comprising the steps of: bonding said first waveguide to said substrate; orienting said second waveguide, with respect to said substrate, so that it crosses said first waveguide; impacting said second waveguide with a slotted bonding tool to apply sufficient mechanical and/or thermal energy thereto to raise said second waveguide and said substrate to a temperature falling between the transformation temperature and the softening temperature of the waveguide to bond said second waveguide to said substrate, the slot in said bonding tool extending longitudinally in said tool and parallel to said first waveguide whereby only those portions of said second waveguide lying away from said first waveguide are bonded thereby to form said crossover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said bonding tool impacts said second waveguide through a compliant medium.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |