Bidirectional Coupler for Communication Over a Single Fiber

The field of the invention relates to bidirectional signal transmission over a single fiber utilizing wavelength duplexing.

There are many instances where duplex communication is desirable over a single optical fiber. Dichroic filters have typically been used in conjunction with the fibers to distinguish between two wavelength.

A "cold" dichroic coating has been directly applied to an end face of an optical fiber. This application is often characterized by poor adhesion of the coating. A "hot" coating is generally preferred over a "cold" coating because of its increased adhesion and durability. The preferred method has been impractical, however, due to the different thermal expansion coefficients between the fiber, the epoxy holding the fiber to its substrate, and the substrate. As the coated end face is cooled, the multi-layer dielectric dichroic coating usually becomes detached or the adhesion becomes so weakened causing it to become detached at a later time. The survival rate is small which results in both wasted time and material. "Cold" coatings typically have poor adhesion characteristics and are not as durable as "hot" coating. Both "hot" and "cold" MLD i.e., dichroic coatings have been examined.

Although a "cold" multi-layer dielectric dichroic coating can be applied to the fiber end face, the adhesion and durability is poor. Accordingly the dichroic surfaces often do not survive the alignment process.

It is an object of the invention to provide an optical fiber with a dichroic filter such that the disadvantages inherent with prior art methods are avoided.

The dichroic filter provided by the invention is a bulk surface device which is extremely thin, e.g., less than about 50-75 micrometers. A glass substrate, typically fused silica-SiO.sub.2 is provided. A multi-layer dielectric dichroic coating (hot) is applied to the glass substrate. The dichroic filter is ground and polished to a nominal thickness. Its dichroic surface is protected during the grinding and polishing operation.

The bulk sample is then diced into either square or rectangular wafers on a diamond saw. The wafer size is variable, but it must be larger than the fiber to which it is ultimately applied. A nominal cross section of two millimeters by two millimeters can be employed. The dicroic wafer is positioned over a polished fiber beamsplitter half. A thin layer (less than 25 micrometers) of optical epoxy is applied to the fiber beamsplitter half. The dichroic wafer is then directly attached by means of the epoxy to the half. It is important that the epoxy layer be quite thin such that axial displacement is small. Otherwise coupling loss will increase. This coupler half is cured according to the cure properties of the epoxy.

A second uncoated fiber beamsplitter may be micromanipulated with epoxy on its surface and brought into contact with a dichroic beamsplitter half. The two parts are positioned for maximum signal throughput. The completed device is cured and removed from the assembly station. Transmission and reflectivity measurements are performed to characterize the dichroic coupler.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glass substrate having a multi-layer dielectric dichroic coating thereon;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of a dichroic wafer secured to a fiber beamsplitter half;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 and further includes a second uncoated fiber beamsplitter half secured to the opposite side of the wafer. Additionally, a third port tapoff fiber or light pipe is bonded to the coupler using optical grade epoxy.

The invention provides a means for applying a dichroic surface directly to a fiber end face without the usual difficulties associated with previously known methods.

Referring to the drawings, a glass substrate 10 is provided having a thickness of about 125 to 150 micrometers. The substrate may be fused silica-SiO.sub.2. A mulit-layer dielectric dichroic coating 12 is applied to one of the large faces of the glass substrate 10. The substrate may be in the form of a rectangular slab as shown in FIG. 1 or may alternatively take other forms. A "hot" coating of the multi-layer dielectric dichroic material is applied to enhance adhesion and durability. A dichroic filter 14 is thereby formed.

After deposition of the coating, the dichroic filter 14 is ground and polished to a nominal thickness. The dichroic surface 12 is protected during the grinding and polishing step. This protection is achieved by applying a soluble adhesive 16 thereto which will not harm the dichroic coating. The filter 14 is placed upon a grinding and polishing apparatus 18 as shown in FIG. 1. The dichroic filter 14 is then diced into a plurality of square or rectangular wafers by a diamond saw. The wafer size is variable, but it must have larger dimensions than the cross section of the fiber with which it is employed. A representative cross section of two millimeters by two millimeters can be utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the dichroic wafer 20 is positioned over a polished fiber beamsplitter half 22. The fiber beamsplitter half 22 includes a portion including a bare optical fiber 24 and another portion including the fiber with a jacket of fiber cladding material 26. Both portions are contained within a glass substrate 28. A thin layer 30 of optical grade epoxy is applied to the end face of the fiber beamsplitter half. The layer should be less than 25 micrometers in thickness minimize coupler transmission loss due to axial separation of the fibers. The dichroic wafer is then directly attached to the fiber beamsplitter half by the layer 30 of epoxy. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the wafer forms an acute angle .theta. with a plane perpendicular to the axis of the beamsplitter half of about 25.degree. . This incident angle is critical for optimum optical performance of the fiber dichroic coupler. An acute angle of 25.degree. is selected such that the polarization effects, i.e., Brewster's angle, are not approached (incident acute angle plus finite half angle of the fiber ). Brewster's angle for the fiber core/epoxy interface is about 43.degree. . The fiber half angle is about 8.degree. ; thus, a portion of the reflected beam will have an angle of about 35.degree. . This is below the polarization angle and will allow good performance of the dichroic coating.

A second uncoated fiber beamsplitter half 32 is micropositioned with respect to the first fiber beamsplitter half 22 to maximize signal throughput. It is secured to the opposite side of the dichroic wafer 20 by means of a thin layer 30 of optical grade epoxy. The fiber 34 within the second half has substantially the same diameter as that in the first half 18. The coupler shown in FIG. 3 is thereby obtained wherein the fibers are aligned. Additionally, either a tapoff fiber or light pipe 36 is aligned and epoxied to the substrate 28 near the wafer 20. Maximum tapoff efficiency is accordingly achieved as reflected light is collected for processing.

It has been found that the bidirectional coupler produced according to the invention is sufficiently durable for practical use in duplex communication. The polished dichroic wafer 20 shown in the figures is approximately between less than 50 and 75 micrometers in thickness with a cross section of two millimeters by two millimeters. It will be appreciated, however, that alternative dimensions are also possible. It has also been found that coupling efficiency is quite acceptable provided the axial separation of the fibers 24, 34 is within two fiber diameters for chemical vapor deposition type fibers, and an optical epoxy is the interaction medium.

Once the coupler is assembled, it is cured and removed from the assembly station. Transmission and reflectivity measurements are performed to characterize the dichroic coupler.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications can be made in the above described structure without materially departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined be reference to the appended claims.