Patent ID: 6338291
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for cutting mirrors into polymer optical fibers, each fiber having an input and an output end, each mirror having an intensity output and comprising a notch having a depth and at least one surface angled with respect to a central axis of the optical fiber, the apparatus comprising:a knife 620 having a blade portion for cutting the notch in the optical fiber at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis; a stage upon which the knife is mounted for controlling the movement of the knife in at least two directions relative to the optical fiber; a light source 656 for directing light having an input power through the input end of the optical fiber to be cut; a optical power meter 660 connected to the output end for measuring residue optical power at the output end, wherein the residue optical power is the difference between the input power and the intensity output of the mirror; a processor 690 for generating a feedback signal to the stage based upon the residue optical power signal, whereby the stage directs the knife to cut the notch to a depth until the residue power and thus the mirror intensity output reaches a predetermined limit.