Patent ID: 6243527
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An athermalization attachment for an optical fiber, the attachment having a positive coefficient of thermal expansion and undergoing expansion and contraction to the fiber at at least two points along a tensioned length of the fiber, the expansion and contraction of the attachment compensating for the thermal response to changes in temperature of the portion of the fiber between said at least two points, said attachment comprising:a curved strip having a radius of curvature, the strip being attached to the fiber at each of two end points of the radius of curvature, the strip comprising an inward portion of a first material having a first coefficient of expansion and an outward portion of a second material, the second material having a second coefficient of expansion greater than the first coefficient expansion of the first material, the first and second materials expanding and contracting in response to changes in temperature, the expansion and contracting of the first and second materials decreasing and increasing in the radius of curvature of the strip in response to increases and decreases in temperature.