Low-Cost, Self-Aligned Fiber Optic Connector

Berkeley Optics Corp. conceived a novel idea that could reduce the cost of optical fiber connectors and couplers dramatically. In the invention, the core of the fiber is gradually enlarged into a cone-shape (called "core-extension") . The core-extension is made by immersing the output end of a fiber in a UV-curable polymer, and then coupling UV light into the input end of the fiber. The UV light divergently radiates from the output end, exposing and solidifying, or increasing the refractive index of, the polymer. Thus a light-guiding core- extension is formed at the end of the core, enlarging the core size from less than 0.1 mm to as large as a few millimeters, making the fiber-to-fiber connection much easier. Since the core-extension is self-aligned, self-attached, the cost of the fabrication could be very low. The core-extension was demonstrated in our laboratory. The US Patent Office decided to allow patent after only six months from the application, surprising us greatly, presumably to encourage us to commercialize the concept fast. This proposal is for making a rugged and very low-cost connector. Anticipated Benefits/Potential Applications - Fiber optics has reached a stalemate after a decade of the brisk exploitation of the point-to-point market. As it reaches offices and homes, much larger numbers of interconnection are required while number of users sharing per-interface cost is reduced. Until the costs of connectors and couplers can match those of the coaxial cables, this stalemate will not break. Leg aa, kelev On"@ t,could break this stalemate.