Patent ID: 6801693
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for providing a staircase arrangement for the connection of optical waveguides between a card and backplane comprising:a card having first optical waveguides, said first optical waveguides having a low index of refraction region surrounding a high index of refraction core region; first electrical conductors embedded in said card, said card having a first edge ending in a first staircase arrangement; optical fiber-ribbons having a low index of refraction region surrounding a high index of refraction core region and having a first end in close proximity with said first optical waveguides, said optical fiber-ribbons protruding from said first edge; a first guidance structure connected to said first edge, said first guidance structure containing channels to guide and align said optical fiber-ribbons and having a first inner side comprising a staircase arrangement and a first outer side having an inclination; a backplane having second optical waveguides, said second optical waveguides having a low index of refraction region surrounding a high index of refraction core region; second electrical conductors embedded in said backplane, said backplane having a second edge ending in a second staircase arrangement; and a second guidance structure connected to said second edge, said second guidance structure having a second inner side comprising a staircase arrangement and a second outer side having an inclination and tapered openings which receive and guide a second end of said optical fiber-ribbons into close proximity with said second optical waveguides when said first outer side of first guidance structure is brought into contact with said second outer side of second guidance structure, thereby forming a staircase arrangement of connected waveguides between a card and backplane.