Claims
- 1. A method for attaching a surface of a first optical element to a surface of a second optical element, the method comprising:
providing a bonding glass on at least one of the surfaces, wherein the bonding glass is selected to match the refractive indices of the first and second optical elements at the surfaces over a first range of wavelengths and absorb optical energy to a greater extent than that of the optical elements over a second range of wavelengths different from the first range of wavelengths; positioning the surfaces proximate one another; directing optical energy to the bonding glass through at least one of the optical elements at a wavelength in the second range of wavelengths, wherein the optical energy is sufficient to melt the bonding glass without deforming the optical elements; and allowing the melted bonding glass to solidify and fuse the proximately positioned surfaces.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the surfaces are positioned proximate to one another by directing optical radiation through the first optical element and into the second optical element through the surfaces and repositioning the optical elements to optimize the coupling efficiency of the optical radiation directed through the first optical element and into the second optical element.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the optical radiation is at a wavelength in the first range of wavelengths.
- 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the repositioning is automated in response to a measurement indicative of the coupling efficiency.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wavelength range is in the near-infrared (Nir).
- 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first wavelength range is in the range of about 1.3 microns to about 1.6 microns.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second wavelength range is in the ultraviolet (UV).
- 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second wavelength range is less than about 400 nm.
- 9. The method of claim 1, wherein a source for the optical energy directed to the bonding glass comprises a frequency-doubled Argon ion laser.
- 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second optical components comprise fused silica.
- 11. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the optical components is an optical fiber.
- 12. The method of claim 1, where one of the optical components is a lens.
- 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the optical energy is directed through the lens and focused by the lens onto the bonding glass.
- 14. The method of claim 11, where the other of the optical components is a lens.
- 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the optical fiber and lens comprise fused silica.
- 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first wavelength range is in the near infrared and the second wavelength range is in the ultraviolet.
- 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the bonding glass is Schott FK-3.
- 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the bonding glass is substantially transparent over the first range of wavelengths.
- 19. A method for attaching a surface of a first fused silica optical element to a surface of a second fused silica optical element, the method comprising:
providing a bonding glass on at least one of the surfaces, wherein the bonding glass is selected to match the refractive index of fused silica over a first range of wavelengths in the near infrared region and absorb optical energy to a greater extent than that of fused silica over a second range of wavelengths in the ultraviolet region; positioning the surfaces proximate one another; directing optical energy to the bonding glass through at least one of the optical elements at a wavelength in the second range of wavelengths, wherein the optical energy is sufficient to melt the bonding glass without deforming the optical elements; and allowing the melted bonding glass to solidify and fuse the proximately positioned surfaces.
- 20. An optical assembly comprising:
a first optical component having a first surface; a second optical component having a second surface; and a bonding glass fusing the first surface to the second surface, wherein the bonding glass is selected to match the refractive indices of the first and second optical elements at the surfaces over a first range of wavelengths, and wherein the bonding glass is selected to absorb optical energy to a greater extent than that of the optical elements over a second range of wavelengths different from the first range of wavelengths such that optical energy directed to the bonding glass through at least one of the optical elements at a wavelength in the second range of wavelengths can melt the bonding glass without deforming the optical elements.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/276,538 filed Mar. 15, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60276538 |
Mar 2001 |
US |