Long-throw, tight focusing optical coupler

1. A long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler for use in a connector having an alignment feature of a length larger than will allow an array of optical sources to couple with an array of optical destinations without crosstalk, the coupler comprising:

a first passive optical element capable of coupling light between an optical source and an optical destination; and

a second passive optical element, capable of coupling light between the optical source and the optical destination, located between the first passive optical element and one of the optical source or the optical destination such that, a light beam from the optical source will be transferred to the optical destination when the optical source and optical destination are spaced apart by a distance wherein the distance comprises about the length of a guide pin.

2. A long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler for use in a connector having an alignment feature of a length larger than will allow an array of optical sources to couple with an array of optical destinations without crosstalk, the coupler comprising:

a first passive optical element capable of coupling light between an optical source and an optical destination; and

a second passive optical element, capable of coupling light between the optical source and the optical destination, located between the first passive optical element and one of the optical source or the optical destination such that, a light beam from the optical source will be transferred to the optical destination when the optical source and optical destination are spaced apart by a distance wherein the distance comprises a spacing that would result in crosstalk between the light beam from the optical source and another light beam from another optical source.

3. A long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler for use in a connector having an alignment feature of a length larger than will allow an array of optical sources to couple with an array of optical destinations without crosstalk, the coupler comprising:

a first passive optical element capable of coupling light between an optical source and an optical destination wherein the first passive optical element comprises a complex lens array having more lenses on a side closer to the optical source than on an other side; and

a second passive optical element, capable of coupling light between the optical source and the optical destination, located between the first passive optical element and one of the optical source or the optical destination such that, a light beam from the optical source will be transferred to the optical destination when the optical source and optical destination are spaced apart by a distance.

4. The long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler of one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the first passive optical element comprises one of a simple lens array, a complex lens array, a faceplate or an optical window.

5. The long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler of one of claims 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the second optical element comprises one of a simple lens array, a complex lens array, a faceplate or an optical window different from the first passive element.

6. The long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler of claim 1 wherein the distance comprises a spacing that would result in crosstalk between the light beam from the optical source and another light beam from another optical source.

7. The long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler of claim 6 wherein the first passive optical element comprises one of a simple lens array, a complex lens array, a faceplate or an optical window.

8. The long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler of claim 6 wherein the second optical element comprises one of a simple lens array, a complex lens array, a faceplate or an optical window different from the first passive element.

9. The long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler of one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the first passive optical element comprises a complex lens array having more lenses on a side closer to the optical source than on an other side.

10. The long-throw, tight focussing optical coupler of claim 9 wherein the second optical element comprises one of a simple lens array, a complex lens array, a faceplate or an optical window different from the first passive element.