Optical coupling device for optical waveguides

Abstract

An optical coupling device for coupling a first optical waveguide having an end face and transmitting a number N of signals of different wavelengths with a number N of further optical waveguides having end faces and each transmitting one of these signals comprises means for the spectral selection of these signals, which means include a wavelength separator with interference filters, and means for the spatial selection of these signals in order to achieve this coupling. According to the invention all of the end faces are situated in the same plane P, said means comprise N spherical surfaces situated after each other, the (N-1) first spherical surfaces relative to the plane P being provided each with one of said interference filters the spherical surface which is remotest from the plane P being provided with either a totally reflecting or with an interference filter and the of curvature of the spherical surfaces being situated in the plane P midway the end face of the first optical waveguide and one of the end faces of the further optical waveguides.