公开(公告)号：WO1991020007A1

公开(公告)日：1991-12-26

申请号：PCT/US1991004322

申请日：1991-06-17

Applicant: ASTER CORPORATION ,  STOWE, David, W. ,  FITZGERALD, Paul, W. ,  GILLHAM, Frederick, J.

Inventor： ASTER CORPORATION

IPC: G02B06/26

CPC classification number: G02B6/3829 ,  G02B6/2552 ,  G02B6/3604 ,  G02B6/3887 ,  G02B6/3894 ,  G02B6/4246

Abstract: Bends in optical fibers (14) can be miniaturized by reducing the diameter of a section (18) of the fiber in the region where bending (20) is desired. In one aspect of the invention radii of curvature less than 100 microns and very low optical power loss are achieved. A fiber with greatly reduced diameter (Fig. 1d, Section b-b) may also be twisted about its longitudinal axis to a greater degree than a comparable length of larger diameter fiber. In another aspect of the invention, reducing the cross-sectional area of fiber is not required. Bent sections of the fiber are thermally annealed forming stress free bends of minimum bend radius for long term applications. Any optical fiber can be processed by redrawing and/or chemical means to allow such bending or twisting. Bend or twist tolerant regions and annealed bends may be packaged separately or built integrally into a wide range of fiber optic components, sensors, networks, or systems with significant space savings, added performance features and mechanical flexibility.

公开(公告)号：WO1988009517A1

公开(公告)日：1988-12-01

申请号：PCT/US1988001705

申请日：1988-05-23

Applicant: ASTER CORPORATION ,  GILLHAM, Frederick, Jay ,  STOWE, David, W.

Inventor： ASTER CORPORATION

IPC: G02B06/10

CPC classification number: H04M1/03 ,  G02B6/4246 ,  H04M1/003 ,  Y10S359/90 ,  Y10T156/10

Abstract: An electro-optical converter has at least three optical or electrical ports at least one of which is electrical. The converter includes an essentially rigid support (10), a fiber-optic lateral coupler (9) secured to the support including at least two length-wise continuous optical fibers (5, 7) juxtaposed along a portion of their length to provide lateral transfer of optical energy therebetween, and two electro-optical devices (15, 18) are also secured to the support in close relationship to the coupler. Each device has at least one optical port and at least one electrical port. One of the coupler fibers communicates within the converter with the optical port of the electro-optical device, to serve as an internal signal link therebetween. The length of the link between coupler and electro-optical device is of the order of 10 centimeters or less. Protective means associated with the optical fibers, the electro-optical devices and the internal link serve to protect the components from outside physical disturbance. In another aspect, the electro-optical converter comprises a supporting body (10, 30) which includes a first section (19) adapted to support a source of optical energy (18) and to dissipate heat generated by the source of optical energy, and a second section (10a) adapted to support a detector element (19) and to insulate the detector element from the heat generated by the source.

公开(公告)号：WO1991019214A1

公开(公告)日：1991-12-12

申请号：PCT/US1991003873

申请日：1991-06-03

Applicant: ASTER CORPORATION ,  STOWE, David, W. ,  CORKE, Michael

Inventor： ASTER CORPORATION

IPC: G02B06/26

CPC classification number: G02B6/2856

Abstract: Fiber optic splitters having a central fiber (18, 21) and a selectable number of surrounding fibers (10, 20) with mutual contact among the surrounding fibers and central fiber, formed preferably of identical diameter starting fibers. According to a formula, between three and five surrounding fibers, the central fiber (18, 21) has a reduced diameter, while for seven or more surrounding fibers, the diameters of the surrounding fibers are reduced. Splitters with one input and four, eight, twelve, or sixteen equal outputs, having a flattened wavelength response are provided. Means are provided to reduce detrimental phase mismatch at the desired coupling ratio as by substantially matching the propagation constants of the central and surrounding fibers in the finished coupler. Provisions for sufficiently matching the propagation constants include making the fused splitter region short; starting with fibers having differing propagation constants selected so the difference is diminished during fusing; fusing the fibers together to the extent that there are substantially no interstitial voids in the coallesced fiber mass; and surrounding the surrounding fibers (10, 20) with a transparent substance having the effect of cladding. For the latter purpose, a tube (11) or transparent optical rods assembled about the surrounding optical fibers are fused therewith, or the transparent substance is a moldable substance applied after the fused region of the coupler has been formed.

公开(公告)号：WO2007056490A3

公开(公告)日：2007-05-18

申请号：PCT/US2006/043571

申请日：2006-11-08

Applicant: INCOM, INC. ,  MINOT, Michael, J. ,  STOWE, David, W.

Inventor： MINOT, Michael, J. ,  STOWE, David, W.

IPC: C12M1/34 ,  C12Q1/68

Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate that overcomes the performance limitations of conventional microscope slides, microarrays, or microtiter plates when optically interrogated through the thickness of the substrate. With conventional microscope slides, image quality and resolution are degraded as a result of distortions introduced by imaging through the thickness of the glass. Fiber Optic Interrogated Microslides (FOI) consist of many fiber optics that have been fused together. When sliced and polished to form microscope slides, the fibers effectively transfer optical images from one surface of the microslide to the other. The finished microslide is the optical equivalent of a zero thickness window. The image of an object on the top surface is transferred to the bottom surface allowing it to be viewed without focusing through the thickness of the slide. In addition to providing improved image quality, FOI microslides allow objects to be directly imaged without complex and expensive focusing optics .

公开(公告)号：WO2007056490A2

公开(公告)日：2007-05-18

申请号：PCT/US2006043571

申请日：2006-11-08

Applicant: INCOM INC ,  MINOT MICHAEL J ,  STOWE DAVID W

Inventor： MINOT MICHAEL J ,  STOWE DAVID W

IPC: C12M3/00

CPC classification number: G02B21/34 ,  G02B6/06

Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate that overcomes the performance limitations of conventional microscope slides, microarrays, or microtiter plates when optically interrogated through the thickness of the substrate. With conventional microscope slides, image quality and resolution are degraded as a result of distortions introduced by imaging through the thickness of the glass. Fiber Optic Interrogated Microslides (FOI) consist of many fiber optics that have been fused together. When sliced and polished to form microscope slides, the fibers effectively transfer optical images from one surface of the microslide to the other. The finished microslide is the optical equivalent of a zero thickness window. The image of an object on the top surface is transferred to the bottom surface allowing it to be viewed without focusing through the thickness of the slide. In addition to providing improved image quality, FOI microslides allow objects to be directly imaged without complex and expensive focusing optics .

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了当通过基底的厚度进行光学询问时克服了常规显微镜载玻片，微阵列或微量滴定板的性能限制的基底。 使用传统的显微镜载玻片，由于通过玻璃的厚度成像引入的失真，图像质量和分辨率降低。 光纤询问微滑石（FOI）由许多融合在一起的光纤组成。 当切片和抛光以形成显微镜载玻片时，纤维有效地将光学图像从微滑块的一个表面传递到另一个表面。 完成的微滑坡是零厚度窗口的光学等效物。 上表面上的物体的图像被转移到底部表面，使得它能够被观察而不聚焦穿过滑块的厚度。 除了提供改进的图像质量之外，FOI微滑镜允许物体直接成像，而无需复杂且昂贵的聚焦光学元件。