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:
Nov. 29, 2005
Filed:
Apr. 15, 2004
Robert A. Boudreau, Corning, NY (US);
Robert A. Boudreau, Corning, NY (US);
Inplane Photonics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for attaching a bulk element processing an optical beam to a PLC and optically aligning the bulk element with an optical element formed on the PLC. The method begins by securing the bulk element to a first side of a substrate. A first side of a flexure element is secured to the first side of the substrate. A second side of the flexure element is secured to a first side of the PLC on which the optical element is formed such that the bulk element and the optical element are in optical alignment to within a first level of tolerance. Subsequent to the step of securing the second side of the flexure element, a force is exerted on at least a second side of the substrate to thereby flex the flexure element. The force causes sufficient flexure of the flexure element to optically align the bulk element and optical element to within a second level of tolerance that is more stringent than the first level of tolerance.