Optical connections and methods of forming optical connections

Abstract

In one embodiment, method of forming fibers is provided. The method includes modifying a first exposed edge of at least one core of a first fiber. The first fiber has a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end. The second end has the first exposed edge of the core, and the first exposed edge has a first diffusion state. The first fiber may transmit light along the core. The modification of the first exposed edge includes modifying the first diffusion state of the first exposed edge of the core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting the first exposed edge in the second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of the light exiting the first exposed edge in the first diffusion state.

1 . A method of forming fibers, comprising modifying a first exposed edge of at least one core of a first fiber, wherein: 
 said first fiber comprises a first end, a second end comprising said first exposed edge of said core end having a first diffusion state;    said first fiber may transmit light along said core; and    said modification of said first exposed edge comprises modifying said first diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting said first exposed edge in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of said light exiting said first exposed edge in said first diffusion state.    
   
   
       2 . A method of coupling fibers, comprising: 
 modifying a first exposed edge of at least one core of a first fiber, wherein: 
 said core comprises a first end, a second end comprising said first exposed edge of said core and having a first diffusion state, and a length between said first end and said second end;  
 said first fiber may transmit light along said core; and  
 said modification of said first exposed edge comprises modifying said first diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting said first exposed edge in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of said light exiting said first exposed edge in said first diffusion state; and  
   optically coupling said second end of said first fiber to a first end of a second fiber.    
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2  said step of optically coupling further comprising aligning said second end of said first fiber with said first end of said second fiber such that at least a portion of light exiting said second end of said first fiber enters said core of said first end of said second fiber.  
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising modifying said first end of said second fiber, wherein: 
 said second fiber comprises at least one core having a first end, a second end comprising a first exposed edge of said core and having a first diffusion state, and a length between said first end and said second end; and    said modification comprises modifying said first diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said second fiber to a second diffusion state.    
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises forming at least one diffusion feature on said first exposed edge of said core of said first fiber.  
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises a random pattern.  
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises an ordered pattern.  
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said ordered pattern comprises a grating.  
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises blasting said first exposed edge of said core.  
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said blasting comprises sandblasting.  
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises machining said first exposed edge of said core.  
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said machining comprises grinding.  
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises etching said first exposed edge of said core.  
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises laser cutting said first exposed edge of said core.  
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said step of modifying said first exposed edge of said core comprises molding said surface features into said first exposed edge of said core.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said molding comprises molding facets.  
   
   
       17 . A method of optically coupling boards, comprising: 
 connecting a first end of a fiber bundle to a first face of a first board, wherein: 
 said fiber bundle has a first end and a second end;  
 said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of fibers comprising cores;  
 each of said fibers may transmit light along said core;  
 each of said fibers comprises a first end proximate to said first end of said fiber bundle, a second end comprising a first exposed edge of said core and having a first diffusion state proximate to said second end of said fiber bundle, and a length between said first end and said second end; and  
 said second end of said fiber bundle comprises a first connector;  
   modifying said first diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting said first exposed edge in said second diffusion sate is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of said light exiting said first exposed edge in said first diffusion state; and    connecting said first connector to a second connector on a first face of a second board.    
   
   
       18 . A method of optically coupling boards, comprising: 
 connecting a first end of a first fiber bundle to a first face of a first board, wherein: 
 said fiber bundle has a second end;  
 said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of fibers comprising cores;  
 each of said cores may transmit light;  
 each of said fibers comprises a first end proximate to said first end of said fiber bundle, a second end comprising a first exposed edge and having a first diffusion state proximate to said second end of said fiber bundle, and a length between said first end and said second end; and  
 said second end of said fiber bundle comprises a first connector comprising a plurality of first array positions;  
   modifying said first diffusion sate of said first exposed edge of said core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting said first exposed edge in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of said light exiting said first exposed edge in said first diffusion state; and    connecting said first connector to a second connector on a first face of a second board, wherein: 
 said second connector is defined by a plurality of second array positions; and  
 said first connector is connected to said second connector such that at least one of said plurality of first array positions is aligned with at least one of said plurality of second array positions.  
   
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said first array positions are aligned with said second array positions such that at least a portion of light exiting from said fiber bindle in said plurality of first array positions is received by said plurality of second array positions.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said first array positions correspond to positions of said plurality of fibers.  
   
   
       21 . A fiber assembly, comprising: 
 a first fiber comprising at least one core, wherein: 
 said first fiber may transmit light along said core;  
 said first fiber comprises a first end, a second end, and a length between said first end and said second end;  
 at least a portion said second end comprises a first exposed edge of said core;  
 at least a portion of said first exposed edge of said core comprises at least one diffusion feature contained thereon;  
 said at least one diffusion feature defines a second diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core; and  
 said second diffusion state is such that light exiting said first exposed edge of said core in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to the angles said light would spread over if said first exposed edge did not comprise said at least one diffusion feature; and  
   a second fiber comprising at least one core, wherein: 
 said second fiber is defined by a first end; and  
 said first fiber is at least partially aligned with said second fiber.  
   
   
   
       22 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said first fiber is aligned with said second fiber such that light exiting said second end of said first fiber is at least partially incident on said core of said first end of said second fiber.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises a random pattern.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises an ordered pattern.  
   
   
       25 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said ordered pattern comprises a grating.  
   
   
       26 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said at least one diffusion feature comprises facets.  
   
   
       27 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said first fiber comprises a first connector at said second end that is connected to a second connector at said first end of said second fiber.  
   
   
       28 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said core comprises glass.  
   
   
       29 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said core comprises plastic.  
   
   
       30 . A board assembly, comprising: 
 a first board;    a fiber bundle having a first end and a second end, wherein 
 said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of fibers;  
 each of said plurality of fibers comprises a first end proximate to said first end of said fiber bundle and a second end proximate to said second end of said fiber bundle;  
 each of said fibers comprises a core that may transmit light; and  
 each of a portion of said second end of said fibers is defined by a first exposed edge of said core;  
 at least a portion of each of said first exposed edge of said core comprises at least one diffusion feature contained thereon;  
 said at least one diffusion feature defines a second diffusion state of said first exposed edge of said core;  
 said second diffusion state is such that light exiting said first exposed edge of said core in said second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to the angles said light would spread over if said first exposed edge did not comprise said at least one diffusion feature;  
 said first end of said fiber bundle is connected to said first board; and  
 said second end of said fiber bundle comprises a first connector; and  
   a second board comprising a second connector, wherein said first connector may be connected to said second connector.    
   
   
       31 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 30  wherein said first board is parallel to said second board.  
   
   
       32 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 31  wherein: 
 said fiber bundle is connected to a first face of said first board;    said second connector is on a first face of said second board; and    said first face of said first board faces said second face of said first board.    
   
   
       33 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 30  wherein said first connector comprises a plurality of first array positions; and wherein said second connector defines a plurality of second array positions.  
   
   
       34 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 33  wherein said plurality of first array positions correspond to array positions on said first board.  
   
   
       35 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 33  wherein said plurality of first array positions correspond to positions of said plurality of fibers.  
   
   
       36 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 33  wherein said first connector may be connected to said second connector such that said at least one of said plurality of said first array positions is aligned with a desired at least one of said plurality of second array positions.  
   
   
       37 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 30  wherein said first connector is connected to at least one emitter, and wherein said second connector is connected to at least one receiver.  
   
   
       38 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 30  wherein said first connector is connected to at least one receiver, and wherein said second connector is connected to at least one emitter.  
   
   
       39 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 30  wherein said first end of said fiber bundle is connected to said first board via a connector portion.  
   
   
       40 . A system, comprising: 
 a plurality of electronic circuit boards; and    at least one optical fiber in optical communication with at least one circuit board of said plurality of electronic circuit boards, wherein the at least one optical fiber comprises at least one core having at least one end surface, and wherein said at least one end surface comprises a light dispersing geometry.    
   
   
       41 . The system as claimed in  claim 40  wherein said light dispersing geometry comprises a random pattern.  
   
   
       42 . The system as claimed in  claim 40  wherein said light dispersing geometry comprises an ordered pattern.  
   
   
       43 . The system as claimed in  claim 40  wherein said light dispersing geometry comprises a diffraction grating.  
   
   
       44 . The system as claimed in  claim 40  wherein said at least one optical fiber comprises a plurality of said cores.  
   
   
       45 . The system as claimed in  claim 40  wherein said at least one optical fiber is in optical communication with more than one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards.  
   
   
       46 . The system as claimed in  claim 40  wherein said at least one optical fiber is in optical communication with two of said plurality of electronic circuit boards.  
   
   
       47 . The system as claimed in  claim 40  wherein said system comprises a plurality of said optical fibers.  
   
   
       48 . A system, comprising: 
 a first means for transmitting light from a first point to a second point;    a means for providing a diffusion state of said first means for transmitting light such that light exiting said first means for transmitting light is spread over a desired number of angles; and    a second means for transmitting light from a first point to a second point at least partially aligned with said first means for transmitting light proximate to said means for providing a diffusion state.    
   
   
       49 . The system as claimed in  claim 48  further comprising a means for providing a diffusion state of said second means for transmitting light such that light exiting said second means for transmitting light is spread over a desired number of angles proximate to said means for providing a diffusion state of said first means for transmitting light.  
   
   
       50 . The system as claimed in  claim 48  further comprising a means for connecting said first means for transmitting light to said second means for transmitting light.  
   
   
       51 . A system, comprising: 
 a plurality of electronic circuit boards;    means for establishing optical communication between a first one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards and a second one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards; and    means for providing a diffusion state of said means for establishing optical communication such that light exiting said means for establishing optical communication is spread over a desired number of angles.    
   
   
       52 . The system as claimed in  claim 51  further comprising means for connecting said means for establishing optical communication to at least one of said plurality of electronic circuit boards.