Kaleidoscope micro-optic star coupler

Practical 4-port and 8-port kaleidoscope micro-optic star couplers for optical-fibre data links have been developed, with the advantages of low insertion losses well balanced among the ports, high reliability, easy fabrication and small size. This coupler utilises image formation by multireflection at the side planes of a cross-sectionally wedge-shaped small rod lens, and is therefore called a kaleidoscope micro-optic star coupler.