FIBER OPTIC COMPONENT

Abstract

Fiber optical component (1) comprising a plurality of optical fibers (10) each having at least, preferably exactly, one core of glass, preferably made of quartz glass, which is designed in each case to guide a signal light radiation (A), with at least, preferably exactly, one first optical element (11) made of glass, preferably made of quartz glass, which is connected to an inlet surface (11a) with in each case one open end of the cores of the optical fibers (10), preferably further connected to an open end of a cladding of the optical fibers (10) substantially enclosing the core, and designed to receive the signal light radiations (A) from the open ends of the cores of the optical fibers (10) and to emit them to the outside via at least one outlet surface (11b), with at least, preferably exactly, a second optical element (12) made of glass, preferably quartz glass, per optical fiber (10), which is designed and arranged at a distance relative to the first optical element (11) along the direction of propagation of the signal light beams (A), to receive the signal light radiation (A) of at least, preferably exactly, one of the optical fibers (11) at an inlet surface (12a) from the first optical element (11) and to emit it to the outside via at least one outlet surface (12b), and with a carrier (14) which positions the second optical elements (12) at least along the direction of propagation of the signal light radiations (A), preferably and transversely to the direction of propagation of the signal light radiations (A), relative to the first optical element (11), wherein the carrier (14) has glass, preferably quartz glass, preferably consists of glass, preferably quartz glass.

Claims

1. A fiber optical component having a plurality of optical fibers each having at least one core of glass, preferably of quartz glass, which is designed in each case to guide a signal light radiation, having at least one first optical element made of glass, preferably quartz glass, which is connected at an inlet surface to a respective open end of the cores of the optical fibers, preferably further to an open end of a cladding of the optical fibers substantially enclosing the core, and is designed to receive the signal light radiations from the open ends of the cores of the optical fibers and to emit them to the outside via at least one outlet surface, having at least one second optical element of glass, preferably of quartz glass, per optical fiber, which is designed and arranged at a distance relative to the first optical element along the direction of propagation of the signal light radiations in each case, in order to receive the signal light radiation of at least one of the optical fibers at an inlet surface of the first optical element and to emit it to the outside via at least one outlet surface, and having a carrier which positions the second optical elements at least along the direction of propagation of the signal light beams, preferably and transversely to the direction of propagation of the signal light beams, relative to the first optical element, wherein the carrier has glass, preferably quartz glass, preferably consists of glass, preferably quartz glass.

2. The fiber optical component according to claim 1, wherein the carrier has a longitudinal carrier which positions the second optical elements relative to the first optical element along the direction of propagation of the signal light beams, and/or wherein the carrier has a transverse carrier which positions the second optical elements relative to the first optical element transversely to the direction of propagation of the signal light beams.

3. The fiber optical component according to claim 1, wherein the material of the carrier, preferably the longitudinal carrier and/or the transverse carrier, is welded to the material of the second optical elements, preferably with an additional amount of glass, preferably of quartz glass.

4. The fiber optical component according to claim 1, wherein the carrier, preferably a transverse carrier of the carrier, receives the second optical elements facing away from the first optical element in such a manner that the signal light radiations penetrate the material of the carrier, preferably of the transverse carrier.

5. The fiber optical component according to claim 1, wherein the carrier, preferably a transverse carrier of the carrier, has one through-opening per second optical element and wherein the carrier, preferably the transverse carrier, receives the second optical elements facing away from the first optical element in such a manner that the signal light radiations pass through the respective through-opening of the carrier, preferably of the transverse carrier.

6. The fiber optical component according to claim 1, wherein the second optical elements are designed in one piece or in one piece and the signal light radiations penetrate the material of the one-piece or one-piece second optical elements directly.

7. The fiber optical component according to claim 1, wherein the outlet surface of the first optical element, the inlet surface of the second optical element, the outlet surface of the second optical element and/or the carrier has an optical coating preferably an optical anti-reflection coating, at least in sections, preferably over the entire surface.

8. The fiber optical component according to claim 1, wherein the carrier, preferably an optical fiber holder of the carrier, positions the optical fibers facing away from the inlet surface of the first optical element transversely to the direction of propagation of the signal light beams, loosely guided or fixedly connected.

9. A fiber optical component having a plurality of optical fibers each having at least one core of glass, preferably of quartz glass, which is designed in each case to guide a signal light radiation, having at least one first optical element of glass, preferably of quartz glass, per optical fiber, which is connected at an inlet surface to at least one open end of a core of one of the optical fibers, preferably further with an open end of a cladding of one of the optical fibers substantially enclosing the core, and is designed to receive the signal light radiation from the open end of the core of the optical fiber and to emit it to the outside via at least one outlet surface, having at least one second optical element of glass, preferably of quartz glass, per first optical element, which is designed and arranged along the direction of propagation of the signal light radiations in each case at a distance relative to the respective first optical element or in each case directly on the respective first optical element, in order to receive the signal light radiation of at least one of the optical fibers at an inlet surface of the first optical element and to emit it to the outside via at least one outlet surface, and having a carrier which positions the first optical elements transversely to the direction of propagation of the signal light beams relative to one another, wherein the carrier has glass, preferably quartz glass, preferably consists of glass, preferably quartz glass.

10. The fiber optical component according to claim 9, wherein the carrier has a transverse carrier which positions the first optical elements transversely to the direction of propagation of the signal light beams relative to one another.

11. The fiber optical component according to claim 9, wherein the material of the carrier, preferably of the transverse carrier, is welded to the material of the first optical elements, preferably with an additional amount of glass, preferably of quartz glass.

12. The fiber optical component according to claim 9, wherein the inlet surface of the respective second optical element is directly connected, preferably welded, or designed in one piece with the outlet surface of the respective first optical element along the direction of propagation of the signal light beams.

13. The fiber optical component according to claim 9, wherein the inlet surface of the respective second optical element is spaced along the direction of propagation of the signal light beams by means of the carrier, preferably by means of a longitudinal carrier of the carrier, in each case with respect to the outlet surface of the respective first optical element.

14. The fiber optical component according to claim 9, wherein the first optical elements are arranged by means of the carrier, preferably by means of a transverse carrier of the carrier, at an angle to one another, preferably aligned with a common focal point of the signal light beams.

15. The fiber optical component according to claim 9, wherein the carrier, preferably an optical fiber holder of the carrier, positions the optical fibers facing away from the respective inlet surface of the respective first optical element transversely to the direction of propagation of the signal light beams, loosely guided or fixedly connected.

16. The fiber optical component according to claim 1, wherein the second optical elements are each designed as microlenses.

17. The fiber optical component according to claim 1, further comprising at least, preferably exactly, a third optical element, preferably a collimator, of glass, preferably of quartz glass, which is designed and arranged along the direction of propagation of the signal light radiations relative to the outlet surfaces of the respective second optical elements in order to receive the signal light radiations at an inlet surface of the respective second optical element and to emit them to the outside via an outlet surface.

18. The fiber optical component according to claim 9, wherein the second optical elements are each designed as microlenses.

19. The fiber optical component according to claim 9, further comprising at least, preferably exactly, a third optical element, preferably a collimator, of glass, preferably of quartz glass, which is designed and arranged along the direction of propagation of the signal light radiations relative to the outlet surfaces of the respective second optical elements in order to receive the signal light radiations at an inlet surface of the respective second optical element and to emit them to the outside via an outlet surface.

Description

[0080] A plurality of exemplary embodiments and further advantages of the invention are illustrated and explained in more detail below, purely schematically, in connection with the following figures. In the drawings:

[0081] FIG. 1 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component according to the invention in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment;

[0082] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the second optical element of FIG. 1;

[0083] FIG. 3 shows a second variant of the second optical element of FIG. 1 in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment;

[0084] FIG. 4 shows a third variant of the second optical element of FIG. 1 in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment;

[0085] FIG. 5 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component according to the invention in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0086] FIG. 6 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component according to the invention in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment;

[0087] FIG. 7 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component according to the invention in accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment;

[0088] FIG. 8 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component according to the invention in accordance with a seventh exemplary embodiment;

[0089] FIG. 9 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component according to the invention in accordance with a eighth exemplary embodiment;

[0090] FIG. 10 shows a second variant of the first optical elements of FIG. 7 in accordance with a ninth exemplary embodiment;

[0091] FIG. 11 shows a second variant of the first optical elements of FIG. 8 in accordance with a tenth exemplary embodiment; and

[0092] FIG. 12 shows a third variant of the first optical elements of FIG. 7 in accordance with an eleventh exemplary embodiment.

[0093] The above figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. It extends in a longitudinal direction X, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. A transverse direction Y, which can also be referred to as width Y, extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y is a vertical direction (not shown), which can also be referred to as height and corresponds to the direction of gravity. The longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal line X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y.

[0094] FIG. 1 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component 1 according to the invention in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment. The fiber optical component 1 has a plurality of optical fibers 10, each of which has a core (not shown) which is cylindrically enclosed by a cladding (not shown) and the cladding is cylindrically enclosed by a coating (not shown). The cross-sections and contours of the cores, cladding and coatings are circular. In their elongated direction of extension, the optical fibers 10 end at a common equal height in the longitudinal direction X, each with an open end (not designated). The cores and claddings of the optical fibers 10 extend the same distance and end together at the respective open end. The coatings are each spaced apart in the vertical direction Z at the same height from the open ends of the optical fibers 10 (not shown), such that the open ends of the optical fibers 10 are exposed from the coatings.

[0095] The fiber optical component 1 also has a first optical element 11, which may also be referred to as a fiber outlet element 11, a signal light radiation outlet 11, an optical window 11, an optical lens 11, an optical beam splitter 11 or an optical prism 11, or is formed by these. An optical base body of the first optical element 11 in the form of a glass body is designed in the shape of a cuboid with edge lengths in the area of 5 mm to 80 mm, for example, and has an inlet surface 11a pointing to the left in the longitudinal direction X and an outlet surface 11b pointing to the right on the opposite side. The four sides of the cuboid optical element 11 are formed by the side surfaces (not shown or not labeled). An optical coating 11c in the form of an anti-reflection coating 11c is applied over the entire surface of the outlet surface 11b of the first optical element 11, which can be attributed to the first optical element 11.

[0096] The open ends of the cores and claddings of the optical fibers 10 are arranged with a penetration depth (not indicated) relative to the inlet surface 11a of the first optical element 11 within the material of the first optical element 11. The materials of the cores and claddings of the optical fibers 10 have been fused with the material of the first optical element 10 for this purpose. This can ensure that signal light beams A, for example in the form of laser light beams A, can be introduced into the first optical element 11 as completely and without interference as possible. The signal light radiations A introduced into the first optical element 11 can pass through it and emerge outwards as outlet radiations A via the outlet surface 11b of the first optical element 11. This can also improve the mechanical stability of the material-locking connection between the optical fibers 10 and the first optical element 11.

[0097] The fiber optical component 1 further has a plurality of second optical elements 12, which are formed by microlenses 12 that functionally together form a microlens array 12. Each second optical element 12 has an inlet surface 12a, which faces the outlet surface 11b of the first optical element 11 along the longitudinal direction X and is spaced apart from the latter. Opposite, each second optical element 12 has an outlet surface 12b. The inlet surface 12a of the second optical element 12 and/or the outlet surface 12b of the second optical element 12 may also have an anti-reflection coating as described with respect to the outlet surface 11b of the first optical element 11. Exactly one second optical element 12 is provided for each optical fiber 10 and is arranged along the longitudinal direction X as the substantially propagation direction of the signal light radiation A in such a manner that the signal light radiation A of each optical fiber 10 emerging from the outlet surface 11b of the first optical element 11 is picked up by the respective second optical element 12 at its inlet surface 12a and, due to the design of the second optical elements 12 as microlenses 12, emerges at its outlet surface 12b extending in parallel.

[0098] In order now to position and hold the second optical elements 12 relative to one another in the transverse direction Y, i.e. transversely to the direction of propagation of the signal light radiations A, and the entirety of the second optical elements 12 as a microlens array 12 in the longitudinal direction X, i.e. in the direction of propagation of the signal light beams A, relative to the first optical element 11, the fiber optical component 1 has a carrier 14, which can also be referred to as a frame 14, a rack 14 or also, particularly when substantially to completely closed, as a housing 14. The carrier 14 may also have an anti-reflective coating as described with respect to the outlet surface 11b of the first optical element 11. In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the carrier 14 has a longitudinal carrier 14a which extends in the longitudinal direction X and surrounds or encloses the other elements of the fiber optical component 1 in the longitudinal direction X and in the vertical direction. The carrier 14 further has a transverse carrier 14b, which is arranged in the transverse direction Y between the inner surfaces (not designated) of the longitudinal carrier 14a.

[0099] According to the invention, the carrier 14 or the longitudinal carrier 14a and transverse carrier 14b thereof, as well as the cores of the optical fibers 10, which are fused to the first optical element 11, the first optical element 11 and the second optical element 12 are designed from glass and particularly from quartz glass. As a result, the carrier 14 or the longitudinal carrier 14a and transverse carrier 14b thereof can have the same optical and thermal behavior as the optical fibers 10, the first optical element 11 and the second optical element 12 of the fiber optical component 1. Thus, the absorption of signal light radiation A by the carrier 14 or the longitudinal carrier 14a and transverse carrier 14b thereof can be kept low, since glass or transverse glass absorbs comparatively little radiation, relative to the metallic carriers 14 used to date. Due to the comparatively low absorption of signal light radiation A, any resulting heat-induced expansion of the material of the carrier 14 or the longitudinal carrier 14a and transverse carrier 14b thereof can be kept to a minimum, which can favor the accuracy of the positioning of the first optical element 11 and the second optical elements 12 relative to one another. This also applies to heating of the carrier 14 or the longitudinal carrier 14a and transverse carrier 14b, which can be caused by other external influences.

[0100] For these reasons, additional material in the form of glass or quartz glass is applied at the connection points between the first optical element 11 and carrier 14 and between the second optical element 12 and carrier 14 and is used to fuse or splice the connection partners in order to utilize the properties and advantages described above at the connection points as well.

[0101] For this reason, the optical fibers 10, the first optical element 11 and the second optical element 12 also have the same glass material and particularly the same quartz glass material in order to avoid differences in the absorption behavior and in the thermal behavior or in the thermally induced expansion of the optical fibers 10, the first optical element 11, the second optical element 12 and the carrier 14. This also applies to the material of the joints.

[0102] A third optical element 13 in the form of a collimator 13, an optical lens 13 or a protective window 13 is held by the carrier 14 or the longitudinal carrier 14a thereof along the longitudinal direction X in the further course of the signal light beams A as described above. The signal light beams A enter the third optical element 13 along the longitudinal direction X through a convex inlet surface 13a and exit again into the environment through its flat outlet surface 13b. This can further influence the signal light beams A.

[0103] A volume is completely enclosed by the first optical element 11 together with part of the carrier 14, which can be filled with ambient air, but also with another medium such as an inert gas, in order to influence the propagation behavior of the signal light beams A. This applies accordingly to the volume enclosed by the second optical element 12, another part of the carrier 14 and the third optical element 13.

[0104] In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the individual second optical elements 12 are arranged as microlenses 12 on the side of the transverse carrier 14b facing away from the first optical element 11 by welding, such that the signal light beams A penetrate the material of the transverse carrier 14b and then reach the respective second optical element 12 through the respective inlet surface 12a. This can be a comparatively simple option for conversion.

[0105] FIG. 3 shows a second variant of the second optical element 12 of FIG. 1 in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment. In this case, the transverse carrier 14b has one through-opening 14c per second optical element 12, through which the signal light beams A pass in each case and can reach the respective inlet surface 12a of the respective second optical element 12 directly. In this manner, interference of the signal light beams A by the material of the transverse carrier 14b can be avoided, although this may increase the manufacturing effort.

[0106] FIG. 4 shows a third variant of the second optical element 12 of FIG. 1 in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment. In this case, the transverse carrier 14b is dispensed with in that the second optical elements 12 are designed in one piece, i.e. integrally, as a microlens array 12, which extends in the transverse direction Y to the inner surfaces of the longitudinal carrier 14a and is welded there to the longitudinal carrier 14a as described above. This means that the transverse carrier 14b can be dispensed with. This can also simplify the production of the microlens array 12.

[0107] FIG. 5 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component 1 according to the invention in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment. The fiber optical component 1 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment corresponds to the fiber optical component 1 in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the addition that the carrier 14 or the longitudinal carrier 14a thereof is further extended in the longitudinal direction X pointing away from the first optical element 11 and the carrier 14 there has a fiber optic holder 14d extending in the transverse direction Y. The optical fiber holder 14d has a through-opening (not shown) for each optical fiber 10, through which the respective optical fiber 10 extends and to which the respective optical fiber 10 or the cladding thereof is fused by means of additional glass material or quartz glass material. This can improve the hold of the optical fibers 10 relative to the first optical element 11.

[0108] FIG. 6 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component 1 according to the invention in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment. The fiber optical component 1 in accordance with the fifth exemplary embodiment corresponds to the fiber optical component 1 in accordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment, with the addition that the volume, which is enclosed in a fluid-tight manner by the first optical element 11 and the carrier 14 or the parallel longitudinal carriers 14a and transverse carriers 14b thereof, is accessible by means of an inlet 14e in order to receive a flowing means such as a flowing fluid such as a coolant, for example, which can exit the volume again through an outlet 14f. Alternatively, the medium could be permanently provided as a filling in a closed volume, i.e. the volume can be filled with the medium and then closed media-tight.

[0109] FIG. 7 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component 1 according to the invention in accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment. In this case, each optical fiber 10 has a single first optical element 11 to which the optical fibers 10 are each fused as described with respect to the first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, the individual second optical elements 12 per optical fiber 10 are connected to the respective first optical element 11, which is done by fusing the outlet surfaces 11b of the respective first optical element 11 to the inlet surface 12a of the respective second optical element 12. The signal light beams A thus pass from the optical fiber 10 into the first optical element 11 and from there directly into the second optical element 12 in order to then leave the second optical element 12 via its outlet surface 12b.

[0110] In this case, the carrier 14 has a transverse carrier 14b, which connects the individual first optical elements 11 together with the second optical elements 12 arranged there and positions them relative to one another. For this purpose, the carrier 14 or the transverse carrier 14b thereof is also designed from glass or quartz glass as described above. A third optical element 13, which is also additionally present here, can be connected to the transverse carrier 14b and thus to the first optical elements 11 by means of a longitudinal carrier 14a, as described above.

[0111] FIG. 8 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component 1 according to the invention in accordance with a seventh exemplary embodiment. In this case, the first optical elements 11 and the second optical elements 12 are each designed in one piece, i.e. integrally, per optical fiber 10. The outlet surfaces 12b of the second optical elements 12 may have been machined out of the material of the respective optical element 11, 12 by grinding or similar.

[0112] FIG. 9 shows a horizontal section through a fiber optical component 1 according to the invention in accordance with an eighth exemplary embodiment. In this case, the first optical element 11 is designed substantially hollow-cylindrical, such that each individual first optical element 11 is connected or fused to the respective optical fiber 10 as described above, but the first optical element 11 then extends further along the extension direction of the signal light beams A hollow-cylindrical, quasi like a capillary. Each first optical element 11 is connected to the exterior side of the hollow cylindrical area 11d with the transverse carrier 14b, as previously described. At the open end of the respective hollow cylindrical area 11 of each first optical element 11, the first optical element 11 is connected to the inlet surface 12a of a second optical element 12, as described above.

[0113] Accordingly, the signal light beams A can enter the respective hollow cylindrical area 11d of each first optical element 11 via the respective outlet surface 11b of the respective first optical element 11 into the closed inner volume 11e thereof, which is usually filled with air or inert gas. From the respective hollow cylindrical area 11d of each first optical element 11, the signal light beams A can then enter the second optical elements 12 via the respective inlet surface 12a of the latter. From there, the propagation of the signal light beams A can continue as described above.

[0114] FIG. 10 shows a second variant of the first optical elements 11 of FIG. 7 in accordance with a ninth exemplary embodiment. In this case, the third optical element 13 is dispensed with and the transverse carrier 14b is designed to be triangular, such that the first elements 11 are aligned at an angle to one another to a common focal point of the signal light beams A. This can increase the design options.

[0115] FIG. 11 shows a second variant of the first optical elements 11 of FIG. 8 in accordance with a tenth exemplary embodiment. In this case, the first optical elements 11 and the second optical elements 12 of the ninth exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10 are designed in one piece, as in the seventh exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8.

[0116] FIG. 12 shows a third variant of the first optical elements 11 of FIG. 7 in accordance with an eleventh exemplary embodiment. In this case, in addition to the sixth exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, a third optical element 13 is provided for each first optical element 11 as a collimator 13, which is held in each case by a longitudinal carrier 14a at the end (not designated) of the respective first optical element 11. This can also enable the use of collimators 13 in this case.

REFERENCE LIST (PART OF THE DESCRIPTION)

[0117] A signal light radiations; laser light radiations; outlet radiations [0118] X longitudinal direction; depth; length [0119] Y transverse direction; width [0120] X, Y horizontal line; horizontal plane [0121] 1 fiber optical component [0122] 10 optical fibers [0123] 11 first optical element; fiber outlet element; signal light radiation output; [0124] optical window; optical lens; optical beam splitter; optical prism [0125] 11a inlet surface of the first optical element 11 [0126] 11b outlet surface of the first optical element 11 [0127] 11c optical coating or anti-reflection coating of the outlet surface 11b of the [0128] first optical element 11 [0129] 11d hollow cylindrical area of the first optical element 11 [0130] 11e inner volume of the first optical element 11 [0131] 12 second optical element, microlenses; microlens array [0132] 12a inlet surface of the second optical element 12 [0133] 12b outlet surface of the second optical element 12 [0134] 13 third optical element; collimator; optical lens; protective window [0135] 13a inlet surface of the third optical element 13 [0136] 13b outlet surface of the third optical element 13 [0137] 14 carrier; frame; rack; housing [0138] 14a longitudinal carrier of the carrier 14 [0139] 14b transverse carrier of the carrier 14 [0140] 14c through-openings of the transverse carrier 14b of the carrier 14 [0141] 14d optical fiber holder of the carrier 14 [0142] 14e inlet of the carrier 14 [0143] 14f outlet of the carrier 14