Paul R Fitzgerald

US Patent:

51386763, Aug 11, 1992

Filed:

Jun 15, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/539010

Inventors:

David W. Stowe - Medfield MA
Paul W. Fitzgerald - Southbridge MA
Frederick J. Gillham - Westboro MA

Assignee:

Aster Corporation - Milford MA

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 32

Abstract:

Bends in optical fibers can be miniaturized by reducing the diameter of a section of the fiber in the region where bending is desired to a condition in which the optical properties of the fiber have reduced bend-loss sensitivity. In one aspect of the invention, radii of curvature less than 100 microns (. mu. ) and very low optical power loss are achieved. A fiber with such specially reduced diameter may also be twisted about its longitudinal axis to a greater degree than a comparable length of larger diameter fiber. Any optical fiber can be processed by redrawing and/or chemical means to allow such bending or twisting. Bend or twist tolerant regions thus formed may be packaged separately or built integrally into a wide range of fiber optic components, networks, or systems with significant space savings, added performance features and mechanical flexibility.

US Patent:

54523931, Sep 19, 1995

Filed:

Feb 12, 1993

Appl. No.:

7/971816

Inventors:

David W. Stowe - Milford MA
Paul W. Fitzgerald - Allentown PA
Frederick J. Gillham - Westboro MA

Assignee:

Aster Corporation - Hopkinton MA

International Classification:

G02B 616

US Classification:

385123

Abstract:

A routing device for changing the direction of a fiberoptic path from a first axis to a second axis comprising a length of optical fiber having first and second directed fiber portions aligned with the first and second axes, respectively, and having a mid-potion extending through an arc of radius of the order of 2 cm or less; the mid-portion of the fiber having been treated to have a substantially reduced diameter relative to the directed fiber portions. In certain preferred embodiments, the diameter of the mid-portion of the fiber is sufficiently reduced to achieve an air-cladded state. Preferably the routing device includes an outer member for fixing the first and second directed portions relative to one another. The mid-fiber portion is preferably reduced by etching, polishing, or drawing (e. g. , differential speed unidirectional drawing).