Device for coupling two light conducting fiber cables

Abstract

A device for coupling an incoming light conducting fiber cable to an outgoing light conducting fiber cable characterized by at least one housing and means secured in the housing for holding the end faces of the light conducting fibers of each cable in centered relationship to each other and for optically interconnecting the end faces of the light conducting fibers of the incoming cable to the end faces of the light conducting fibers of the outgoing cable. The means includes at least one holder having a guide body with guide channels for the light conducting fibers extending inward from one surface of the body and a cover member disposed on the guide body to close off the guide channels so that the light guiding fibers disposed in the channels are held therein. The guide body of each channel is preferably produced by a series of production steps while in a flat state either by mechanically forming the grooves, depositing material to form the grooves or developing a layer of material by a photolithographic process. Subsequent to forming the grooves, the guide body may be wound and secured on a cylindrical substrate so that the channels are disposed on a curved surface. The device may have a single holder to form a non-detachable connecting device, a pair of holders which are secured in an aligned position and form a detachable coupling device or a pair of holders mounted for relative rotation to form an optical switch.