Gary M Ball

US Patent:

63142198, Nov 6, 2001

Filed:

Sep 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/404061

Inventors:

Yi Zhang - Cupertino CA
Gary Ball - Los Gatos CA

Assignee:

JDS Uniphase Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 32

Abstract:

A mini-bend optical arrangement and an associated method are described. This arrangement is designed to change the directional orientation of a light path using optical fiber. A first and a second fiber optic member define first and second light paths, respectively, which first and second members include a numerical aperture and which introduce substantial bend losses upon being bent at less than a predetermined bend radius. The first and second fiber optic members are arranged along the first and second paths preferably bent by less than the predetermined bend radius. A bent fiber optic member including a numerical aperture that is greater than the numerical aperture of the first and second fiber optic members interconnects the first and second fiber optic members so as to define a continuous light path including the first and second light paths with the bent member defining a curved path therebetween such that the bent fiber optic member has a bend radius which is less than the predetermined bend radius but which avoids introducing substantial bend losses. The mini-bend arrangement is useful in highly advantageous miniaturized device configurations. As a first example, a miniaturized add/drop module is introduced.