Litton Systems, Inc.

Ike J Song

John G Mark

Henry C Abbink

Daryl K Sakaida

Youngmin Albert Choi

Clifton T Council

Arnold E Goldman

Thomas G Council

Ricardo J Rosete

John A Healey

K Juergen Flamm

Richard D Hatch

A sleeve ( ) enables attachment of an optic fiber ( ) to a multi-integrated optic chip ( ) in optical communication therewith, and maintains alignment of the fiber at its end adjacent the chip. The sleeve includes a symmetrically-shaped cavity ( ) bounded by termini ( ) which are respectively disposed to fit onto the chip and to accept the fiber. An adhesive ( ) within the cavity symmetrically bonds the fiber to the chip. The adhesive cures symmetrically in the cavity, to eliminate undesired motion of the fiber from its preferred alignment position vis-a-vis the chip connection point ( ) or to provide a repeatable motion to achieve the optimum alignment position of the fiber with respect to the chip. The sleeve may be left in place or, alternatively, it may be removed. The sleeve controls, defines and confines the index matching adhesive and/or fluid between fiber end ( ) and connection point ( ) by defining the areas and volume actually in contact with the adhesive or fluid. Symmetry is preserved over the effects of gravity and wicking which heretofore have prevented a very symmetrical pigtail which is necessary for performance and repeatability.

Sleeve for pig-tailing optical fiber

An input optical fiber (22), an output optical fiber (24, 26) and a waveguide (14) in an integrated optic chip (IOC) (12) intermediate the fibers are coupled together using service and alignment robots (42; 48, 50, 52). The service robot (42) establishes the three dimensional position of the waveguide. The alignment robots (48, 50, 52) three dimensionally and angularly align the input and output fibers respectively to the input and output legs (16; 18, 20) of the waveguide. An adhesive applying tool (46) coupled with the service robot adheres the input and output fibers respectively to their waveguide input and output legs. Included are specifics for an optical fiber clamp (110) capable of maintaining the orientation of a fiber while it is moved to another location, a vacuum holder (210) for holding and rotating an optical fiber for polarization purposes, goniometer mapping and positioning of an optical fiber with respect to the pivotal axis of the goniometer (324), initial light launching of an optical fiber to a waveguide using the fiber (422) in its cladding mode, planar and angular position alignment of optical fibers to optical waveguides, an alignment procedure for establishing a gap between waveguides, and attaching optical waveguides together.

System and method for aligning and attaching optical fibers to optical

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Montebello, CA, United States of America

Ike J Song