Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A star coupler/monitor comprises a beam splitter (25) and at least one imaging element (30) oriented relative to first, second, and third spatially discrete regions (35a-c) as follows. A minor portion of the light emanating from any given point in the first region (35a) is imaged at a corresponding point in the second region (35b). A major portion of the light emanating from the given point is imaged at a corresponding point in the third region (35c). The ends of N input fibers in an input bundle (12) are registered in an array in the first region (35a). The ends of N monitor fibers in a monitor bundle (15) are registered fiber-by-fiber at optically conjugate locations in the second region (35b) so that a minor portion of the light emanating from any one of the input fibers is imaged at the corresponding monitor fiber end. An integrating element (17) such as a rod is disposed in the third region (35c). The method achieves registration simply and virtually automatically by forming both bundles in the first instance from a single bundle. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of fibers (76), reducing the cladding thickness over corresponding intermediate portions (77) of the fibers, bonding the intermediate portions of the fibers into a tight assembly (79), severing the assembly at an intermediate point to define two bundles, and locating the two bundles so formed at optically conjugate locations.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim