Patent ID: 6363191
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical assembly comprising:a substrate; an optical component fixedly mounted to the substrate, the component comprising at least two optical fibers each having an entering fiber portion and a return fiber portion, a buffer covering at least a portion of the return fiber portion and the entering fiber portion, the entering fiber portions being fused together in a fusion region to cause a coupling of optical energy between the two optical fibers; and a bend formed in an intermediate portion comprising an optical fiber portion between the entering fiber portion and the return fiber portion of the at least one optical fiber, the intermediate portion having a region with a diameter reduced to less than a diameter of the entering fiber portion and the return fiber portion and capable of transmitting light with substantially less light loss due to bending than an unreduced fiber, the bend providing a reversal of direction between the entering fiber portion and the return fiber portion, and the bend fixedly mounted to the substrate.