Patent ID: 7310460
Filing Date: 2007-12-18
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical device comprising: an optical fiber array having at least one optical fiber, said at least one optical fiber being fixed to said optical fiber array by a first adhesive; a slit defined in an optical path of said optical fiber array, wherein said slit is filled with a second adhesive that functions as a refractive index matching agent; and a light control means disposed in or near said slit for attenuating or blocking light that is propagated through said optical path of said optical fiber array, wherein said at least one optical fiber of said optical fiber array has a portion for emitting light into said slit, which is defined as a light exit portion, and a portion for receiving light through said slit, which is defined as a light entrance portion, and said light control means comprises an actuating means for elastically deforming said light exit portion and/or said light entrance portion in order to shift an optical axis thereof, and wherein said first adhesive is more viscous than said second adhesive and functions as a cushioning member to reduce stress concentrations at a pivot point of said at least one optical fiber.