MONOLITHIC MULTI-OPTICAL-WAVEGUIDE PENETRATOR OR CONNECTOR
Methods and apparatus are provided for a monolithic multi-optical-waveguide penetrator or connector. One example apparatus generally includes a plurality of large diameter optical waveguides, each having a core and a cladding, and a body having a plurality of bores with the optical waveguides disposed therein, wherein at least a portion of the cladding of each of the optical waveguides is fused with the body, such that the apparatus is a monolithic structure. Such an apparatus provides for a cost- and space-efficient technique for feedthrough of multiple optical waveguides. Also, the body may have a large outer diameter which can be shaped into features of interest, such as connection alignment or feedthrough sealing features.
1 . An apparatus for transmitting light along multiple pathways, comprising:
a plurality of large diameter optical waveguides, each having a core and a cladding, wherein the apparatus is a monolithic structure; and
a body having a plurality of bores with the optical waveguides disposed therein, wherein at least part of the cladding of each of the optical waveguides is fused with the body to form the monolithic structure and wherein the body comprises at least one orientation feature.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one orientation feature comprises at least one flat surface formed in an outer diameter of the body and parallel to an axis of the body.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body has at least two different outer diameters.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the body comprises a sealing surface between the at least two different outer diameters.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the sealing surface comprises a convex frustoconical section between the at least two different outer diameters.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a temperature coefficient of the cladding of each of the optical waveguides is about the same as a temperature coefficient of the body.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body and the core and cladding of each of the optical waveguides comprise silica glass.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body is a cylindrical capillary tube.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the cladding of the large diameter optical waveguides is at least 1 mm.
10 . An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly comprising the apparatus of claim 1 , the optical waveguide feedthrough assembly further comprising:
a housing, wherein the apparatus is at least partially disposed in the housing; and
one or more annular sealing elements disposed between an inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the apparatus.
11 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the annular sealing elements comprise at least one of v-ring seals, o-ring seals, or gasket members.
12 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the housing comprises metal and wherein the body and the core and cladding of each of the optical waveguides comprise silica glass.
13 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical tube.