Gary Robert Ball

US Patent:

20010020375, Sep 13, 2001

Filed:

Dec 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/746836

Inventors:

James Novack - Hudson WI, US
Bryon Cronk - Hudson WI, US
Bruce Rabine - Oakdale MN, US
Gary Ball - Simsbury CT, US
Harmeet Singh - Simsbury CT, US
Paul Sanders - Madison CT, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company

International Classification:

G01N021/17
C03C025/12

US Classification:

065/485000, 065/529000

Abstract:

The present invention is a process for manufacturing an optical fiber Bragg grating, which in a preferred embodiment includes the steps of: (a) removing at least a portion of a removable coating on an optical fiber element in at least one section to sufficiently expose the optical fiber in the section for a subsequent treatment by a source of optical radiation; (b) fixing the at least one section with respect to the source of optical radiation; (c) directing optical radiation from the source into the optical fiber to produce at least one Bragg grating in the at least one section; and (d) covering the at least one section. The present invention also extends to an apparatus for carrying out the process steps described above, which includes means for coating removal, means for fiber immobilization, means for writing a Bragg grating, and means for packaging.

US Patent:

62728865, Aug 14, 2001

Filed:

Oct 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/735468

Inventors:

James C. Novack - Hudson WI
Bryon J. Cronk - Hudson WI
Bruce A. Rabine - Oakdale MN
Gary A. Ball - Simsbury CT
Harmeet Singh - Simsbury CT
Paul E. Sanders - Madison CT

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

C03B 3710

US Classification:

65387

Abstract:

The present invention is a process for manufacturing an optical fiber Bragg grating, which in a preferred embodiment includes the steps of: (a) removing at least a portion of a removable coating on an optical fiber element in at least one predetermined section to sufficiently expose the optical fiber in the section for a subsequent treatment by a source of optical radiation; (b) fixing the at least one section with respect to the source of optical radiation; (c) directing optical radiation from the source into the optical fiber to produce at least one Bragg grating in the at least one section; and (d) covering the at least one section. The present invention also extends to an apparatus for carrying out the process steps described above, which includes means for coating removal, means for fiber immobilization, means for writing a Bragg grating, and means for packaging.