US5170455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical connective device
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1991-10-30
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Granted: 1992-12-08
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Expires: 2011-10-30
Abstract
Abstract This invention is an optical connective device which can have a two-dimensional array of optical fibers. The device can be comprised of a single piece of light conducting material such as glass, plastic or the like shaped to have a slab support member having pillars which project outward from opposing surfaces. The pillars on one of the opposing surfaces are optically aligned with corresponding pillars on the other opposing surface. The length of a pillar can be as small as its diameter. The ends of the pillars can be flat or curved to form a lens and each pillar can be accurately located to an arbitary position. The optical connective device can be sandwiched between chips to provide an integrated circuit chip-to-chip connective device for a stack of two or more chips.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith W. Goossen
- 👤 James A. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4249; G02B6/4202; G02B6/04; G02B6/36; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3664; G02B6/3672; G02B6/3684; G02B6/3692; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3838; G02B6/3839; G02B6/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An optical connective device comprising a support member having first and second opposing surfaces, a first array of pillars supported by and projecting outward from said first surface, for receiving optical energy from a first chip, a second array of pillars supported by and projecting outward from said second surface, for directing optical energy to a second chip, the pillars of said first array of pillars being aligned with corresponding pillars of said second array of pillars, said pillars and said support member located between corresponding pillars being of a material which is transparent to energy at a frequency of interest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An optical connective device comprising a support member having first and second opposing surfaces, a first array of pillars supported by and projecting outward from said first surface, for receiving optical energy from a first chip, a second array of pillars supported by and projecting outward from said second surface, for directing optical energy to a second chip, the pillars of said first array of pillars being aligned with corresponding pillars of said second array of pillars, said pillars and said support member located between corresponding pillars being of a material which is transparent to energy at a frequency of interest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first array of pillars and said second array of pillars are positioned in a single dimension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first array of pillars and said second array of pillars are positioned in two dimensions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first array of pillars, said second array of pillars and said support member are comprised of the same material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first array of pillars and said second array of pillars are multimode optical fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 5 further comprising support material having an index of refraction lower than said pillar positioned between said first array of pillars.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the pillars of said first array of pillars and the pillars of said second array of pillars have lengths which are greater than their diameters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the pillars of said first array of pillars have a tip diameter of at least 35 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device if claim 5 wherein the pillars of said first array of pillars have a tip diameter of at least 60 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said first array of pillars, said second array of pillars and said support member are of an etchable transparent material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said first array of pillars and said second array of pillars are of an etchable transparent material and said support member is of a nonetchable transparent material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the pillars of said first array of pillars have ends which are flat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the pillars of said first array of pillars have ends which are curved.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-08 | 2004-06-08 | 2004-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |