Patent ID: 9285544
Filing Date: 2016-03-15
CPC Classification: G02B

Claim Text:
1. An optical power splitter comprising: an input optical element to receive an input signal from an input fiber, wherein the input fiber is to contact the input optical element such that the input signal is received from the input fiber without traversing a gap; a zig-zag to receive the input signal after traversing a gap between the input optical element and the zig-zag, wherein the zig-zag is to split the input signal and output n split signals; a reflector element associated with the zig-zag to split the input signal, wherein the reflector element includes at least one discrete reflector, such that a total number of discrete reflectors associated with the reflector element is at most n−2; an output optical element to couple each of the n split signals with a corresponding one of n output fibers; and a passive alignment mechanical support to pass through a contiguous end portion of each of the input optical element, the zig-zag, and the output optical element to passively align and support the input optical element, the zig-zag, and the output optical element relative to each other via the respective contiguous end portion of each such that remaining portions of each are not in direct contact with the mechanical support, wherein the input optical element and output optical element are aligned parallel to each other and perpendicular to a path of the input signal by being extended perpendicularly from the respective contiguous end portions and away from the mechanical support, and the zig-zag is aligned obliquely to the path of the input signal and to the input and output optical elements by being extended obliquely from the respective contiguous end portion and away from the mechanical support.