Corning Glass Works

Robert A Wey

David S Grey

Robert M Hawk

In drawing an optical waveguide, the blank is heated by a beam of laser radiation which has substantially zero power from the axis of the blank to a prescribed radial position and substantially uniform power from that position to a greater radial position. A rotating spinner splits radiation from the laser into two rotating beams, the paths of which are made to be non-intersecting with the axis of the blank being drawn. A conical reflector forms the radiation into a circumferential beam through which the blank passes.

Drawing optical waveguides by heating with laser radiation

A coupler is disclosed for properly positioning the endface of an optical waveguide filament with respect to an optoelectronic device in a repeatable fashion. Three elongated rods of deformable material are disposed in mutually contacting relationship within a bore which terminates at the device. After a filament is inserted into the aperture between the rods so that its endface is disposed adjacent to the device, an elastomeric washer is caused to deform inwardly against the rods, thereby causing them to engage the filament. Since the ends of the rods adjacent to the device are secured in the bore, the filament may be replaced by other filaments, the endfaces of which will be precisely positioned with respect to the optoelectronic device.

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Horseheads, NY, United States of America

Robert A Wey