Thomas A Swann

US Patent:

49629883, Oct 16, 1990

Filed:

Jul 10, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/377469

Inventors:

Thomas A. Swann - Espanola NM

Assignee:

Optomec Design Company - Santa Fe NM

International Classification:

G02B 632

US Classification:

350 9618

Abstract:

In order to make possible the provision of a good fusion joint with low losses between an optical fiber and a graded index (GRIN) glass rod lens with considerably larger diameter, the end of the GRIN lens to which the optical fiber is to be joined is tapered down radially the extent of at least one third the radius of the cylindrical lens at an angle approximately 45. degree. It is then possible to make a mechanically good fused joint with low transmission losses in the mid portion of the reduced-diameter end of the lens by heating the butt joint with an electric arc. The taper may be frusto-conical, convex or concave.