Inventors:
Lee L. Blyler - Basking Ridge NJ
Gary J. Grimes - Thornton CO
Lawrence J. Haas - Broomfield CO
Robert M. Lien - Chester NJ
Emiel Ysebaert - Louisville CO
Assignee:
AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ
International Classification:
G02B 626
Abstract:
A molded polymeric resin-filled coupler comprising two low-refractive index plastic molded subassemblies. One subassembly has an optically finished mixing region, with a channel that has a V shaped lower portion. The mixing region subassembly is covered with a lid subassembly of the same material as the mixing region subassembly. During assembly, optical fibers are inserted into the mixing region subassembly which is then filled with a high index material to form a high-refractive index waveguide core region in the channel. The molded low-refractive index subassemblies provide a waveguide cladding around the high-refractive index waveguide core. Low cost is attained by utilizing optically finished metal molds to produce the subassemblies resulting in an optically finished mixing region and lid subassemblies without the need to polish each subassembly.