Patent ID: 6829419
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method of aligning fibers on a substrate comprising:placing a grooved substrate on a base proximate to an opening formed through a top surface of the base; flowing air through the opening to draw the plurality of fibers down towards the top surface of the substrate; placing a plurality of fibers to extend over the substrate and over the opening; and bonding the plurality of fibers to the substrate, wherein the base includes a substrate holding area formed in the top surface of the base and proximate to the opening, and wherein said placing a substrate on a base further comprises: placing the substrate within the substrate holding area, wherein the substrate includes a first plurality of grooves formed in a top surface of the substrate and wherein said placing a plurality of fibers further comprises: placing one of the plurality of fibers within one of the first plurality of grooves, and wherein the opening is horizontally longer in a first dimension than a second dimension relative to the top surface of the base, and wherein said placing the substrate within the substrate holding area further comprises: placing the substrate proximate to a side of the opening of the first dimension, wherein the first plurality of grooves are substantially perpendicular to the side of the first dimension.