Optical star couplers

Abstract: An optical 1xN star coupler has a single mode input fibre I and N single mode output fibres O₁ forming an output fibre assembly. The output fibres O are tapered within a former 2 which holds each output fibre O so it is positioned substantially identically relative to the remaining output fibres. The input fibre I is also tapered such that the fundamental mode field of the input fibre I and output fibre assembly are substantially equal. The identical relative positions of the output fibres O provides a wavelength independent 1xN star coupler.

Description: The present invention relates to a method of producing optical couplers, and in particular to couplers for distributing light from one single mode optical fibre between two or more single mode optical fibres. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical coupler in which the light is transferred equally from the one single mode fibre to the other fibres independently of wavelength. A method of manufacture of such couplers is disclosed e.g. in JP-A-57 186 730. The present invention provides a method of forming a 1xN optical star coupler having an input, single mode fibre and N identical output, single mode fibres where N is two or more, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming N+1 fibre portions each comprising a single mode optical fibre fusion spliced to a coreless fibre; (b) placing the N+1 fibre portions into a former such that the N output, single mode fibres extend from one end of the former, and one single mode input fibre extends from the other end of the former, the N output fibres being positioned centro-symmetrically with respect to the input fibre, and the distribution of the output fibres with respect to a given output fibre being identical to that with respect to any other output fibre, the former being such as to maintain the fibres in their positions and comprising material having a refractive index that is the same as, or is slightly less than, that of the cladding of the fibre portions; (c) positioning all the fusion splices in substantially the same plane; and (d) forming a taper from the former and fibre arrangement such that the fundamental mode fields on each side of the fusion splices are substantially matched at some region of the taper. The present method provides an optical star coupler having an input, single mode fibre spliced to two or more identical output, single mode fibres at a tapered coupler portion, which output fibres form an output fibre assembly, wherein the output fibre assembly is tapered, the output fibres are positioned centro-symmetrically with respect to the input fibre so that the output fibres are illuminated by the input fibre with the same optical field amplitude and phase, the distribution of output fibres with respect to a given output fibre is identical to that with respect to any other output fibre throughout the taper, whereby the energy of the light in the input fibre is equally distributed into the output fibres, and the fundamental mode fields of the input fibre and the output fibre assembly are substantially matched on each side of the splice. The positions of the fibres ensure that in use the output fibres are illuminated with the same optical field amplitude and phase and because the distribution of fibres with respect to a given output fibre is identical to that with respect to any other the energy of the light in the input fibre is equally distributed into the output fibres. To produce a low loss device, there must be a gradual change in the mode field from that of the single input fibre to that of the output fibres. This mode transformation is accomplished by means of the taper. The former supports the fibre portions and maintains their correct relative positions during the tapering process by providing material which fills the gaps between the fibres. Conveniently, the material is the same as the fibre cladding material, for example silica. Embodiments of the invention and methods of fabrication will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a glass former for holding the fibres in position while forming a taper; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a single mode fibre fused to a coreless fibre prior to tapering using the former of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-section view of the former of Figure 1 and fibres of Figure 2 prior to forming a taper; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional end view of a former with no central hole; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic longitudinal view of a coupler according to the present invention. The fibres may be held in their correct relative position for tapering by a glass former 2 as shown in Figure 1. This structure, which consists of one central hole 4 surrounded by eight equally spaced holes 6 at a constant radius, may conveniently be made by drawing down a large drilled glass rod. The rod is pulled such that the holes are just large enough to accept a single fibre each. Nine lengths of fibre 10 are prepared and each comprises a single mode fibre 12 fusion spliced to a length of coreless or 'dummy' fibre 14 as shown in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 3, the fibres 10 are inserted into the former 2 so that the splices all lie in the same plane A so that a central fibre protrudes from the former 2 from the opposite end to the outer ring of fibres, only two of which are shown for clarity in Figure 3. The central fibre forms the one input fibre (I), the remaining eight, the output fibres O₁ - O₈. The assembly is then heated to a temperature sufficient for the glass former to shrink due to surface tension. Vacuum may be employed at this stage to assist the collapse and/or to remove air which may become trapped. Heating is continued until a homogeneous rod of silica is formed. The glass former is heated around the splice position and is pulled to form a taper, the heated length being sufficient to ensure small taper angles and hence a low loss device. Tapering is continued until the cores have reduced in size sufficiently such that the mode fields each side of the splice are reasonably well matched. In practice light could be launched into the central fibre and the device would be pulled until the output signal reaches a maximum. An alternative fabrication technique involves using a glass former 20 without the central hole. In this method the prepared fibres 10 are inserted into the glass former 20, as shown in Figure 4 (only two fibres are shown for clarity). The former 20 is collapsed as described above and it is then pulled to form a taper with a waist diameter equal to the diameter of a single fibre 10. The structure is cleaved at the waist and the resulting composite fibre end is fusion spliced to a single fibre. This fusion splice is then further tapered to equalise the mode fields on either side of the splice. The tapering is continued until maximum power transmission is obtained. Referring now to Figure 5, consider light propagating along the single input fibre I, towards the taper region marked 22. As light travels down the taper 22, its mode field expands and eventually becomes bounded by the cladding/external medium interface. In this central taper region 24 the fibre cores play little part in the field guidance and the output fibres O₁ to O₈ act as a single output fibre assembly. Therefore, the mode profiles of the single fibre I and output fibre assembly are reasonably well matched. This ensures that the optical field will traverse this critical region 24 with little loss. In the upward taper region, 26, the growing cores gradually capture equal amounts of the optical field such that when the fibres have reached their normal size, each fibre carries the same optical power. 1xN couplers having other N values may be formed by these methods. The output fibres need not be arranged in a symmetrical circular array. For example, four fibres can be arranged at the vertices of a rectangle and still obtain equal coupling as each fibre is positioned at the same relative distance and angular disposition from the other three, i.e. in that they are each positioned identically relative to the other output fibres. The insertion of the fibres 10 into the former 20 may be aided by the use of a lubricating fluid that is readily evapourated before or during the application of heat to form the taper, for example methanol, ethanol, acetone or other similar fluid.

Claims: A method of forming a 1xN optical star coupler having an input single mode fibre (I) and N identical output single mode fibres (O₁...O₈) where N is two or more, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming N+1 fibre portions (10) each comprising a single mode optical fibre (12) fusion spliced to a coreless fibre (14); (b) placing the N+1 fibre portions into a former (2) such that the N output single mode fibres (O₁...O₈) extend from one end of the former, and one single mode input fibre (I) extends from the other end of the former, the N output fibres being positioned centro-symmetrically with respect to the input fibre, and the distribution of the output fibres with respect to a given output fibre being identical to that with respect to any other output fibre, the former being such as to maintain the fibres in their positions and comprising material having a refractive index that is the same as, or is slightly less than, that of the cladding of the fibre portions; (c) positioning all the fusion splices in substantially the same plane within the former (A); and (d) forming a taper (22,26) from the former and fibre arrangement such that the fundamental mode fields on each side of the fusion splices are substantially matched at some region of the taper. A method of forming a 1xN optical star coupler where N is two or more, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting N identical single mode output fibres (O₁....O₈) into a former (2) so as to extend from the same side of the former, the distribution of the output fibres around a given one of the output fibres being identical to that around any other output fibre, the former being such as to maintain the fibres in their positions and comprising material having a refractive index that is the same as, or is slightly less than, that of the cladding of the fibre portions; (b) forming a taper from the former and fibre arrangement with a waist diameter substantially equal to the diameter of a single fibre; (c) cleaving the taper at the waist (24); (d) fusion splicing the cleaved taper to a single mode input fibre so that the N output fibres are positioned centro-symmetrically with respect to the input fibre; and (e) further tapering the taper to equalise the fundamental mode fields on either side of the splice. A method of forming a coupler as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which a lubricant is applied to the fibres prior to their insertion into the former. A method of forming a coupler as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a lubricant is applied to the former prior to the insertion of the fibres. A method of forming a coupler as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which the lubricant is ethanol. A method of forming a coupler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which equalisation of the fundamental mode fields is determined by tapering until maximum power transmission from the input fibre is obtained. A method of forming a coupler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein N is 4. A method of forming a coupler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which N is 8.

Inventors: AINSLIE BENJAMIN JAMES, MORTIMORE DAVID BRYAN, PAYNE DAVID BRIAN, AINSLIE, BENJAMIN JAMES, MORTIMORE, DAVID BRYAN, PAYNE, DAVID BRIAN
Applicants: BRITISH TELECOMM, BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G02B6
IPC codes: G02B6