Patent ID: 7265840
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A method for determining an improved optical alignment to couple an optical beam having a high power level into an optical waveguide, the improved optical alignment determined such that a power level of a portion of the optical beam coupled into the optical waveguide is substantially maximized, the method comprising the steps of: a) reducing a power level of the optical beam to a minimum test power level, the minimum test power level being less than about one half of the high power level; b) aligning the reduced-power optical beam in a test alignment such that a beam spot of the reduced-power optical beam is formed on a coupling surface of the optical waveguide; c) measuring a coupled power level of the portion of the optical beam coupled into the optical waveguide; d) increasing the power level of the reduced-power optical beam in predetermined steps to a maximum test power level and repeating step (c) for each power level; e) if the coupled power level measured in step (c) does not saturate and a corresponding coupling efficiency is greater than or equal to a desired coupling efficiency, determining that the current test alignment is the improved optical alignment, completing the method, otherwise: f) if the predetermined number of iterations are performed, determining the test alignment having a highest of the corresponding coupling efficiencies to be the improved optical alignment.