Patent ID: 6798970
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for placing a fiber on a substrate, the apparatus comprising:a base; a supporting member attached to the base; a first placement head attached to the supporting member, the first placement head having an extendable plunger slidably coupled to the first placement head, the first placement head having an airflow channel formed proximate to a tip of the plunger; a substrate holder attached to the base, a separate fiber holder attached to the supporting member, wherein, during operation of the apparatus, the substrate holder holds a substrate beneath the plunger, the substrate including grooves and wherein during operation the fiber holder holds the fiber in a groove formed in a bottom surface of the fiber holder between the plunger and a substrate groove, and wherein the fiber holder holds the fiber in longitudinal alignment with the tip of the plunger and the substrate groove; and wherein, during operation of the apparatus, a vacuum source draws a flow of air through the airflow channel, and wherein, during operation of the apparatus, the placement head picks up and holds a fiber against the plunger tip using forces associated with the flow of air.