Help me with this hw please!!! Thanks so muchhh The light source output is measu
ID: 456783 • Letter: H
Question
Help me with this hw please!!! Thanks so muchhh The light source output is measured by aligning the output to a detector. The alignment is done by hand. The output power of the light source is determined, in part, by the components that arrive from a supplier. A new batch of components is required after 30 units have been assembled. For the following scenarios, sketch the X bar and R charts to show any change you might observe: Scenario: There are three operators who measure the output power: Jane, Bill, and Samantha. Samantha works on Fridays only. She has the most experience and able to always align the light source output to the detector to collect the most light possible. Jane and Bill are less experienced. A new batch of components arrives and results in a 20% reduction in output power in the light sources. The detector used for output power measurements needs maintenance every 50 hours. It takes 1 hour to take a measurement. As the detector reaches the end of a maintenance period, the sensitivity to light reduces by 10% per hour of additional use. Bill dropped one of the light sources on the ground on the way to testing. The output power was negligible as a result.Explanation / Answer
BESCHREIBUNG
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/358,840, filed on Feb. 20, 2002.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates to alignment of optical fibers with light sources or photo-detectors.
BACKGROUND
Optical fibers may be used to carry light emitted from a source of light or to carry light to a photo-detector. As part of this transmission, the optical axis of the optical fiber may be aligned with a preferred location in relation to the light source or the photo-detector.
The preferred location may be found by moving the fiber with respect to the light source or the photo-detector and measuring a response of the photo-detector or, alternatively, the quality or quantity of the light coupled to the fiber.
In a “force-free alignment” the light source/fiber or photo-detector/fiber pairs are aligned without being in physical contact. A small gap is maintained between the fiber and the light source or the photo-detector. The fiber is scanned across the surface of the light source or the photo-detector until a preferred location is determined. The fiber is then secured in that location by, for example, bonding.
Greater structural integrity may be obtained when the fiber is in contact with the light source or photo-detector than when there is a gap between them. Also, when the parts are in contact there is less opportunity for misalignment and/or optical losses than when the light must traverse a gap between the parts.
However, frictional forces between the fiber and the light source or photo-detector may interfere with locating the fiber when the fiber is in contact with the light source or the photo-detector. One source of interference is introduced by system elastic deformation and metal surface finish resulting in a stick-slip motion that may hinder precise alignment. System elastic deformation includes the frictional forces introduced by contact between the fiber and the light source or the photo-detector.
BRIEF SUMMARY
A first implementation includes a method of aligning an optical fiber with a light source or a photo-detector by locating the optical fiber to a first position on the light source or photo-detector. The fiber is moved toward the light source or the photo-detector until they contact each other. An alignment value is measured. The fiber is separated from the light source or photo-detector and re-located to another position on the light source or photo-detector. The movement towards and contacting then measuring, separating and relocating continues until a predetermined number of measurements are taken. A preferred alignment location is determined from an analysis of the measurements. The fiber is moved to the preferred location, a preferred contact pressure is applied, and the fiber is secured in place.
A second implementation includes a method of aligning an optical fiber with a light source or a photo-detector by first determining a stick-slip force associated with a predetermined contact force between the optical fiber and the light source or photo-detector. The fiber is then moved to a first position on the light source or photo-detector. The predetermined contact force is applied between the fiber and the light source or photodetector and an alignment valued is measured. The fiber is re-located to another position on the light source or photo-detector at a distance remote enough from the first position to at least overcome the stick-slip force. A preferred alignment location is determined from an analysis of the measurements. The fiber is moved to the preferred location, a preferred contact pressure is applied, and the fiber is secured in place.
In a third implementation, the fiber and light source or photo-detector are optically aligned at a first distance between the parts. The fiber is moved to second distance from the light source or photo-detector and again optically aligned. From the distance and the orientation, the intersection point of the fiber optical axis with the light source or the photodetector optical axis is determined. The fiber is moved to the calculated intersection point. The fiber is moved in the Z-axis to achieve a predetermined contact pressure and secured in place.
A system for implementing the methods is also disclosed.
It is an advantage of some of the implementations that measurement of an alignment value is taken while the fiber is in contact with the light source or photo-detector. Some implementations have the advantage that the fiber is separated from the light source pr photo-detector while the fiber is moved. It is also an advantage of some implementations that the fiber is in contact with the light source or photo-detector when the fiber is secured. Other features and advantages will be readily apparent from the detailed description, figures and claims.
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