Miniature optic fiber couplers for fiber optic gyros application

Integrated fiber optic gyroscopes (IFOG) as shown in Fig 1, are widely used in stabilization, guidance, and navigation of ballistic missiles, torpedoes, and artillery shells [1]. Optical fiber beam splitters, or couplers, are one of the critical components in IFOG system. Typically each IFOG system contains 4-5 couplers situated in an optical tray with 2-3 inches in diameter as shown in Figs 2 and 3. Therefore the individual coupler package size are extremely important. Employing state-of-the-art automated equipment TACAN's optic fiber couplers are manufactured using fused biconical tapering (FBT) technology for superior reliability and thermal stability. In addition, TACAN's couplers provide excellent directivity and low returned loss. A family of couplers, 1x2, 1x3, and PM with required miniature package size are developed at TACAN corporation to meet these IFOG system requirements.