Patent ID: 6058228
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
A unidirectional optical fiber coupler comprising:at least two input polymer optical fibers, each having a central axis for transmission of an input optical signal therealong;at least two output polymer optical fibers, each having a central axis for transmission of an output optical signal therealong, the output optical fibers being positioned substantially perpendicular to the input optical fibers forming a grid of optical fibers;a body in which the input and output optical fibers are housed, each input optical fiber being in optical communication with each output optical fiber at each point where the input and output optical fibers cross;an input mirror formed within each input optical fiber and positioned at each point of crossing for reflecting inputted optical signals substantially perpendicular to their axial direction and into its corresponding output optical fiber, each input mirror comprises a notch having at least one surface angled with respect to the central axis of the optical fiber for reflecting an optical signal perpendicular to its central axis;an output mirror formed within each output optical fiber and positioned at each point of crossing for reflecting the perpendicular optical signal from its corresponding input optical fiber to a direction along its central axis, each output mirror comprises a notch having at least one surface angled with respect to the central axis of the optical fiber for reflecting the perpendicular optical signal from its corresponding input optical fiber parallel to its central axis;wherein, input optical signals can be coupled from any combination of the input optical fibers and transmitted into any combination of the output optical fibers.