Patent ID: 6034821
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical component for use as a modular building block in an optical network including a plurality of optical components, the optical component comprising:at least one prism-shaped element of a material that is optically transparent and amenable to being shaped to a high degree of accuracy and including a pair of substantially similar input and output surfaces and a third surface, at least one of the input and output surfaces including a central inset opening; anda combination of female and male mating means, separate from said central inset opening, provided on one or more of the surfaces of each prism-shaped element to permit the coupling together with a high degree of alignment of each prism-shaped element with at least one other said prism-shaped element such that light may be accurately directed between the at least one prism-shaped element and at least one other coupled prism-shaped element.