The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 11, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2001
Anthony William Gatica, Cedar Park, TX (US);
Bryon James Cronk, Round Rock, TX (US);
William Vogel Dower, Austin, TX (US);
John Thomas Cowher, Leander, TX (US);
Stephen Paul LeBlanc, Austin, TX (US);
Dwayne L. LaBrake, Cedar Park, TX (US);
Brian Kenneth Nelson, Shoreview, MN (US);
Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Saint Paul, MN (US);
Ronald Phillip Pepin, Georgetown, TX (US);
Brian John Gates, Eagan, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A method for manufacturing an optical fiber refractive index grating. The method comprises the steps of, providing a substantially twist-free length of an optical fiber between a first spool and a second spool before attaching the first spool and the second spool to a support having a first surface opposite a second surface. The support and spools provide a filament organizer including the first spool as a lockable spool and the second spool as a rotary spool. The filament organizer further comprises a tensioner coupled to the rotary spool to apply tension to at least a central portion of the length of an optical fiber disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool. After removing a buffer coating from the central portion of an optical fiber and applying a controlled tension to the central portion of the optical fiber, changes are made to the refractive index characteristics of the central portion during exposure to an interference pattern of high intensity actinic radiation, to produce the refractive index grating.