Patent ID: 6882783
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for facilitating the alignment of an optical fibre, said optical fibre adapted to convey a beam of light there-within, to an integrated waveguide component comprising a substrate having an integral waveguide, the apparatus comprising: a mask arranged to be disposed between the optical fibre core and the integrated waveguide component, the mask comprising a body defining an aperture extending therethrough; wherein the body of the mask is substantially non-transmissive and non-reflective of light incident thereon from the optical fibre and wherein, in use, the aperture is substantially exactly aligned with the waveguide, thereby to permit light from the optical fibre to be transmitted through said aperture to the waveguide but to substantially prevent light from the optical fibre from passing around the waveguide and/or through the substrate.