Lin Chang J Zhang

US Patent:

20020181861, Dec 5, 2002

Filed:

Jun 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/872157

Inventors:

Robert Shroder - Windsor CA, US
Lin Zhang - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.

International Classification:

G02B006/26

US Classification:

385/031000, 385/039000

Abstract:

An optical fiber coupling assembly includes an optical fiber receiver, an optical spacer, and an optical filter such as a linear variable filter. The optical spacer can comprise either a monolithic block of optically transparent material, or an optical cavity within reflective walls. The fiber receiver can comprise either a machined attachment on an opaque lightweight block or can be a surface on the optical spacer configured to receive and adhesively bond an optical fiber. The optical spacer recirculates light that is incident on an optical filter segment that is not within the segment's designated wavelength range, thereby permitting multiple passes of the light within the assembly. A color measuring sensor device using the fiber coupling assembly can be incorporated with other components into a spectrometer device such as a portable calorimeter having a compact and rugged construction suitable for use in the field.