Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.

Richard E Lucas, Jr

Harry B Bonham, Jr

A method and system for forming microlens (78) on an optical fiber (60) include optical fiber lensing device (10) having lowering mechanism (18) for inserting optical fiber (60) at a predetermined and controlled speed to a predetermined depth in oil-acid bath having oil layer (62), acid layer (64), and boundary (68) between oil layer (62) and acid layer (64). The next step is to etch optical fiber (60) at boundary (68) by forming meniscus (66) around optical fiber (60) to selectively and controllably form on optical fiber (60) a microlens (78) having a predetermined shape, preferably a hyperbolic shape. The etching includes the steps of first tapering optical fiber (60) to a shape determined by the distance that optical fiber (60) is first inserted into acid layer (64). The etch step further chemically mills microlens (78) on optical fiber (60) to the predetermined shape by controlling the etch time and position of optical fiber (60) relative to boundary (68) for etching optical fiber (60) at boundary (68).

Method and system for forming an optical fiber microlens

A method and apparatus for aligning a fiber tip of an optic fiber in position with respect to a fiber communications circuit disposed on a carrier having a planar surface. In the method, the steps include supporting the optic fiber with a block having a planar surface such that a movement of the block causes a corresponding movement of the fiber tip. The steps further include placing the planar surface of the block in contact with the planar surface of the carrier, thereby defining a reference plane between the block and the carrier. Finally, after the placing step, there is the steps of automatically establishing a first relative position between the block and the carrier along a first dimension of the reference plane, and automatically establishing a second relative position between the block and the carrier along a second dimension of the reference plane, wherein the second dimension is orthogonal to the first dimension.

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Plano, TX, United States of America

Richard E Lucas, Jr