Connection system for optical redundancy

Abstract

A redundant optical connection system is manufactured in specially prepared form to allow optical connections to be made at a later step. In response to information specifying which of the optical sources are functional, further structure may be activated or introduced into the connection system which guides optical energy to optical outputs from only those of the sources that are functional. In one aspect of the invention, the preliminary form includes primary guiding structures coupling each of a plurality of primary optical sources to a respective application structure, and a secondary guiding structure coupled to a secondary optical source and terminating without yet coupling to any application structure. If the information indicates that one of the primary optical sources is non-functional, then structure can be added or activated which transfers optical energy from the secondary guiding structure into the primary guiding structure corresponding to the non-functional source. In another aspect of the invention, the preliminary form includes a material having N optical sources and more than N output guiding structures. A gap region is provided in the material between the outputs of the optical sources and the inputs of the output guiding structures. Additional guiding structures are later formed or activated in response to the information, to guide optical energy to the inputs of the output guiding structures from only functional ones of the optical sources.