WO2001014920A1 - Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses - Google Patents
Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001014920A1 WO2001014920A1 PCT/US2000/014714 US0014714W WO0114920A1 WO 2001014920 A1 WO2001014920 A1 WO 2001014920A1 US 0014714 W US0014714 W US 0014714W WO 0114920 A1 WO0114920 A1 WO 0114920A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- refractive index
- lens
- homogeneous refractive
- collimatmg
- focusmg
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
- G02B6/293—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
- G02B6/29379—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means characterised by the function or use of the complete device
- G02B6/2938—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means characterised by the function or use of the complete device for multiplexing or demultiplexing, i.e. combining or separating wavelengths, e.g. 1xN, NxM
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
- G02B6/293—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
- G02B6/29304—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means operating by diffraction, e.g. grating
- G02B6/29305—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means operating by diffraction, e.g. grating as bulk element, i.e. free space arrangement external to a light guide
- G02B6/29307—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means operating by diffraction, e.g. grating as bulk element, i.e. free space arrangement external to a light guide components assembled in or forming a solid transparent unitary block, e.g. for facilitating component alignment
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
- G02B6/293—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
- G02B6/29304—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means operating by diffraction, e.g. grating
- G02B6/29305—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means operating by diffraction, e.g. grating as bulk element, i.e. free space arrangement external to a light guide
- G02B6/2931—Diffractive element operating in reflection
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
- G02B6/4204—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms
- G02B6/4215—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms the intermediate optical elements being wavelength selective optical elements, e.g. variable wavelength optical modules or wavelength lockers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
- G02B6/4246—Bidirectionally operating package structures
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing and, more particularly, to wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses.
- Wavelength division multiplexing is a rapidly emer ⁇ mg technology tr.at enacles a very significant increase in the aggregate volume of data that can be transmitted over optical fibers.
- WDM Wavelength division multiplexing
- the basic concept of WDM is to launch and retrieve multiple data channels m and out, respectively, of an optical fiber. Each data channel is transmitted at a unique wavelength, and the wavelengths are appropriately selected such that the channels do not interfere with each other, and the optical transmission losses of the fiber are low.
- commercial WDM systems exist that allow for the transmission of 2 to 100 simultaneous data channels.
- WDM is a cost-effective method of increasing the volume of data (commonly termed bandwidth) transferred over optical fibers.
- Alternate competing technologies for increasing bandwidth include the burying of additional fiber optic cable or increasing the optical transmission rate over optical fiber.
- the burying of additional fiber optic cable is quite costly as it is presently on the order of $15,000 to $40,000 per kilometer.
- Increasing the optical transmission rate is limited by the speed and economy of the electronics surrounding the fiber optic system.
- TDM time division multiplexing
- WDM offers the potential of both an economical and technological solution to increasing bandwidth by using many parallel channels.
- WDM is complimentary to TDM. That is, WDM can allow many simultaneous high t ansmission rate TDM channels to be passed over a single optical fiber.
- the use of WDM to increase oandwidth requires two basic devices that are conceptually symmetrical.
- the first device is a wavelength division multiplexer. This ⁇ evice takes multiple beams, each with discrete wavelengths that are initially spatially separated m space, and provides a means for spatially combining all of the different wavelength beams into a single polychromatic beam suitable for launching into an optical fiber.
- the multiplexer may be a completely passive optical device or may include electronics that control or monitor fr.e performance of the multiplexer.
- the input to the multiplexer is typically accomplished with optical fibers, although laser diodes or other optical sources may also be employed.
- the output from the multiplexer is a single polychromatic beam which is typically directed into an optical fiber.
- the second device for WDM is a wavelength division demultiplexer.
- This device is functionally the opposite of the wavelength division multiplexer. That is, the wavelength division demultiplexer receives a polychromatic beam from an optical fiber and provides a means of spatially separating the different wavelengths of the polychromatic beam.
- the output from the demultiplexer is a plurality of monochromatic beams which are typically directed into a corresponding plurality of optical fibers or photodetectors .
- WDM devices incorporating the principles set forth in the classical optics-based WDM approaches disclosed in the above-listed publications are unable to receive and transmit optical beams from and to single mode optical fibers, respectively, without incurring unacceptable amounts of insertion loss and channel crosstalk.
- These unacceptable levels of insertion loss and channel crosstalk are largely due to the inadequate imaging capabilities of these very oasic lenses, which are typically formed of standard optical glass materials.
- the primary object of the present invention is to provide wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices which use homogeneous refractive index lenses to achieve increased device performance, as well as reduced device cost, complexity, and manufacturing risk.
- an improved wavelength division multiplexing device has a diffraction grating for combining a plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.
- the improvement m the improved wavelength division multiplexing device comes from the use of a homogeneous refractive index collimating/focusmg lens for coUimating the plurality of monochromatic optical beams traveling along a first direction to the diffraction grating, and for focusing the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam traveling along a second direction from the diffraction grating.
- the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction.
- the diffraction grating is preferably a reflective diffraction grating oriented at the Littrow diffraction angle with respect to the first and second directions.
- the homogeneous refractive index coUimating/ focusing lens is typically a plano-convex homogeneous refractive index coUimating/ focusing lens, or a bi-convex homogeneous refractive index coUimating/ focusing lens, although other lens configurations are possible.
- the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens can be spherical or aspherical .
- the homogeneous refractive index collimating/focusmg lens has a high refractive index and typically operates m the infrared (IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum since this is the region where the power OSS (attenuation) and dispersion of silica-based optical fibers is very low.
- the homogeneous refractive index coUimating/ focusing lens is typically formed of a high index of refraction glass material selected from the group consisting of SF59, PBH71, LAH78, ano otner nign index of refraction glass materials that efficiently transmit optical beams m the infrared iIR 1 region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- the improvement in the improved wavelength division multiplexing device can be the use of a homogeneous refractive index coUimating lens for coUimating a plurality of monochromatic optical oeams traveling along a first direction to the diffraction grating, and a homogeneous refractive index focusing lens for focusing a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam traveling along a second direction from the diffraction grating.
- the second direction is different from, but not opposite, the first direction.
- an integrated wavelength division multiplexing device can be provided. That is, an integrated wavelength division multiplexing device can be provided comprising a homogeneous refractive index coUimating/ focusing lens for coUimating a plurality of monochromatic optical beams traveling along a first direction, and for focusing a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam traveling along a second direction. In this case, the second direction is again substantially opposite the first direction.
- the integrated wavelength division multiplexing device also comprises a first homogeneous refractive index boot lens affixed to the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focus g lens for transmitting the plurality of monochromatic optical beams from the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens along the first direction, and for transmitting the multiplexed, polycnromatic optical beam to the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens along the second direction.
- the first homogeneous refractive index ooot lens has a planar interface surface.
- the integrated wavelength division multiplexing device further comprises a diffraction grating formed at tne planar interface surface of the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens for combining the plurality of monochromatic optical beams into the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, and for reflecting the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam back into the first homogeneous refractive index ooot lens.
- the diffraction grating is preferably a reflective diffraction grating oriented at the Littrow diffraction angle with respect to the first and second directions.
- the homogeneous refractive index boot lens can be incorporated into the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens such that the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens has the planar interface surface at which the diffraction grating is formed.
- the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens can have a planar interface surface for accepting the plurality of monochromatic optical beams from at least one optical source (e.g., optical fibers, laser diodes), and for outputtmg the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam to at least one optical receiver (e.g., optical fibers, photodetectors ) .
- optical source e.g., optical fibers, laser diodes
- optical receiver e.g., optical fibers, photodetectors
- the integrated wavelength division multiplexing device further comprises a s e c o n d homogeneous refractive index ooot lens affixed to the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens for transmitting the plurality of monochromatic optical beams to the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens along the first direction, and for transmitting the multiplexed, polychromatic optical oeam from the homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens along the second direction.
- the second nomogeneous refractive index boot lens preferably has a planar interface surface for accepting the plurality of monochromatic optical beams from at least one optical source, and for outputtmg the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam to at least one optical receiver.
- a wavelength division multiplexing device can be provided. That is, a wavelength division multiplexing device can be provided comprising a homogeneous refractive index coUimating lens for coUimating a plurality of monochromatic optical beams, and a diffraction grating for combining the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, and for reflecting the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.
- the wavelength division multiplexing device also comprises a homogeneous refractive index focusing lens for focusing the reflected, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.
- the wavelength division multiplexing device can further comprise at least one reflecting element for reflecting the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical beams toward the diffraction grating, and/or at least one reflecting element for reflecting the reflected, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam toward the homogeneous refractive index focusing lens.
- improved wavelength division multiplexing device can also oe an improved wavelength division demultiplexing device
- the integrated wavelength division multiplexing device can also be an integrated wavelength division demultiplexing device
- the wavelength division multiplexing device can also be a wavelength division demultiplexing device.
- Figure la is a side view of a wavelength division multiplexing device having a plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens and a reflective diffraction grating m accordance with the present invention.
- Figure lb is a top view of the wavelength division multiplexing device shown m Figure la.
- Figure lc is a perspective end view of a portion of the wavelength division multiplexing device shown m Figure la.
- Figure 2a is a perspective view of a coupling device containing a plurality of laser diodes for replacing the plurality of optical input fibers m the multiplexing device shown m Figure la.
- Figure 2b is a perspective view of a coupling device containing a plurality of pnotodetectors for replacing the plurality of optical input fibers m the demultiplexing device shown m Figure 3a.
- Figure 3a is a side view of a wavelength division demultiplexing device having a plano-convex homogeneous refractive index coliimatmg/ focusing lens and a reflective diffraction grating m accordance with the present mvention.
- Figure 3b is a top view of the wavelength division multiplexing device shown m Figure 3a.
- Figure 4a is a side view of an integrated wavelength division multiplexing device having a plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens and a reflective diffraction grating in accordance witn the present invention.
- Figure 4b is a top view of the mte ⁇ rated wavelength division multiplexing device shown m Figure 4a.
- Figure 5a is a side view of an integrated wavelength division multiplexing device having an extended planoconvex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens and a reflective diffraction grating m accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 5b is a top view of the integrated wavelength division multiplexing device shown m Figure 5a.
- Figure 6a is a side view of a wavelength division multiplexing device having a convex-piano homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens and a reflective diffraction grating in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 6b is a top view of the wavelength division multiplexing device shown m Figure 6a.
- Figure 7a is a side view of an integrated wavelength division multiplexing device having a convex-piano homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens and a reflective diffraction grating m accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 7b is a top view of the integrated wavelength division multiplexing device shown m Figure 7a.
- Figure 8a is a side view of an integrated wavelength division multiplexing device having an extended convex- piano nomogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens and a reflective diffraction grating m accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 8b is a top view of the integrated wavelength division multiplexing device shown m Figure 8a.
- Figure 9a is a side view of a wavelength division multiplexing device having a bi-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens and a reflective diffraction ⁇ ratmg m accordance with the present invention .
- Figure 9c ⁇ s a top -r ⁇ e of the wavelength division multiplexing device shown xn Figure 9a.
- Figure 10a is a side view of an integrated wavelength division multiplexing device having a bi-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens and a reflective diffraction grating m accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 10b is a top view of the integrated wavelength division multiplexing device shown m Figure 10a.
- Figure 11 is a side view of a wavelength division multiplexing device having two bi-convex homogeneous refractive index lenses and a reflective diffraction grating m accordance with the present invention.
- the multiplexing device 10 comprises a plurality of optical input fibers 12, an input fiber coupling device 14, a plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16, a reflective diffraction grating 18, an output fiber coupling device 20, and a s gie optical output fiber 22.
- AU of the above-identiflea components of the multiplexing device 10 are disposed axong an optical axis X-X of the multiplexing device 10, as will be described m more detail below.
- optical input fibers 12 and the optical output fiber 22, as well as any other optical fibers described herein as being used m conjunction with WDM devices m accordance with the present invention are single mode optical fibers.
- this does not limit the present invention WDM devices to use with only smgie mode optical fibers.
- the present invention WDM devices can also be used with multimode optical fibers .
- the multiplexing device 10 is operating m the infrared (IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum as a dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) device i.e., operating with data channels having channel spacmgs of 1 nm or less) .
- DWDM dense wavelength division multiplexing
- the present invention WDM devices can also be standard WDM devices (i.e., operating with data channels having channel spacmgs greater than 1 nm) .
- the plurality of optical input fibers 12 are grouped into a one-dimensional input fiber array i.e., a 1 x 4 array) by the input fiber coupling device 14, while the single optical output fiber 22 is secured to the output fiber coupling device 20.
- Both the input fiber coupling device 14 and the output fiber coupling device 20 are used for purposes of ease of optical fiber handling and precision placement, and can oe formed of, for example, a silicon V-groove assembly.
- FIG. lc also shows a monochromatic optical input beam 24 being transmitted from each of the plurality of optical input fibers 12, and a single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 being transmitted to the ⁇ in ⁇ le optical output fiber 22.
- Each of the monochromatic optica ⁇ input beams 24 being transmitted from the plurality cf optical input Uoers 12 is carrying a single channel of data at a unique wavelength, which is preferably, but not required to be, withm the infrared (IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- the smgie channel ot data that is being carried by each monochromatic optical input beam 24 is superimposed on each corresponding unique wavelength by means (e.g., laser diodes connected to the plurality of optical input fibers 12) , which are not shown here and which do not form a part of this mvention, but are well known m the art.
- the unique wavelengths of the monochromatic optical input beams 24 are appropriatel preselected such that the data channels do not interfere with each other (i.e., there is sufficient channel spacing) , and the optical transmission losses through both the optical input fibers 12 and the optical output fiber 22 are low, as is also well known the art .
- the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 being transmitted to the single optical output fiber 22 is carrying a plurality of channels of data at the unique wavelengths of each of the plurality of monochromatic optical input beams 24.
- the plurality of monochromatic optical input beams 24 are combined m.to the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 through the combined operation of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg _ens 16 and the reflective diffraction grating 18, as will be described m more detail below.
- the input fiber coupling device 14 and the output fiber coupling device 20 are disposed offset from, but symmetrically about, the optical axis X-X of the multiplexing device 10 so as to insure that the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 is directed to the single output fiber 22 secured to the output fiber coupling device 20, and not to any of the plurality of optical input fibers 12 secured to the input fiber coupling device 14, or anywhere else.
- This offset spacing of the input fiber coupling device 14 and the output fiber coupling device 20 is determined based upon the focusing power of the plano- convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16, as well as the characteristics of the diffraction grating 18 and the wavelengths of each of the monochromatic optical input beams 24.
- each of the plurality of monochromatic optical input beams 24 are transmitted from their corresponding optical input fiber 12 into the air space between the input fiber coupling device 14 and the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16. Withm this air space, the plurality of monochromatic optical input beams 24 are expanded m diameter until they become incident upon the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16.
- plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 collimates each of the plurality of monochromatic optical input beams 24, and then transmits each collimated, monochromatic optical input oeam 24' to the reflective diffraction gratm ⁇ 13.
- tne optica ⁇ axis or the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 coincides with the o ptical axis X-X of the multiplexing device 10 so as to insure that the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 is directed to the single optical output fiber 22 secured to the output fiber coupling device 20, and not to any of the plurality of optical input fibers 12 secured to the input fiber coupling device 14, or anywhere ej.se, as will oe describee in more oeta_ DCow.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 operates to angularly disperse the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical input beams 24' G/ an amount that is dependent upon the wavelength of each of the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical input beams 24'. Further, the reflective diffraction grating 18 is oriented at a special angle (i.e., the Littrow diffraction angle, ) relative to the optical axis X-X of the multiplexing device 10 m order to obtain the Littrow diffraction condition for an optical beam having a wavelength that lies withm or near the wavelength range of the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical input beams 24'.
- a special angle i.e., the Littrow diffraction angle
- the Littrow diffraction condition requires that an optical beam be incident on and reflected back from a reflective diffraction grating at the exact same angle. Therefore, it will be readily apparent to one skilled m the art that the reflective diffraction grating 18 is used to obtain near-
- variables affecting the Littrow diffraction angle, x include the desired grating diffraction order, the grating blaze angle, the number of data channels, the spacing of the data channels, and the wavelength range of the multiplexing device 1C.
- tne reflective diffraction grating 18 can be formed from a variety of materials and by a variety of techniques.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 can be formed by a three- dimensional hologram m a polymer medium, or by replicating a mechanically ruled master with a polymer material. In both cases, the polymer is overcoated with a th , highly reflective metal layer such as, for example, gold or aluminum.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 can be formed by chemically etching into a planar material such as, for example, glass or silicon, which is also overcoated with a thm, highly reflective metal layer such as, for example, gold or aluminum.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 operates to angularly disperse the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical input beams 24'.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 removes the angular separation of the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical input beams 24', and reflects a single collimated, polychromatic optical output oeam 26' back towards the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16.
- the single collimated, polychromatic optical output beam 26' contains each of the unique wavelengths of tne plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical input beams 24'.
- output beam 26' is a single collimated, multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26'.
- the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 focuses the single collimated, multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26', and then transmits the resulting single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 to the output fiber coupling device 20 where it becomes incident upon the single optical output fiber 22.
- the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 is then coupled into the single optical output fiber 22 for transmission tneretnrough .
- the input fiber coupling device 14 and the output fiber coupling device 20 are disposed offset from, but symmetrically about, the optical axis X-X of the multiplexing device 10 so as to insure that the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 is directed to the single optical output fiber 22 secured to the output fiber coupling device 20.
- the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 is also insured of being directed to the single optical output fiber 22 in a very efficient manner (i.e., with very low insertion losses and negligible channel crosstalk) by virtue of the enhanced imaging of both the input optical beams 24 and output optical beam 26 with the multiplexing device 10 wnich is obtained through the use of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16.
- this enhanced imaging of both the input optical beams 24 and output optical beam 26 withm the multiplexing device 10 is a direct result of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index coilimatmg/focusmg lens 16 being formed of a high index cf refraction glass material, as described ⁇ n more detail below.
- tne multiplexing device 10 operates m a very efficient manner (i.e., with very low insertion losses and negligible cnannel crosstalk) due to the fact that a large difference exists between the high index of refraction of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 and the much lower index of refraction of the air spaces adjacent to the lens 16.
- This large difference between tne nigh index of refraction of tne p ⁇ ano-convex homogeneous refractme index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 and the ucn lower index of refraction of the adjacent air spaces allows for the highly efficient collimation and focusing of the input optical beams 24 and output optical beam 26, respectively, by the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16, while simultaneously minimizing the amount of wavelength distortion that is introduced into the optical system of the multiplexing device 10 by this lens 16.
- this large difference between the high index of refraction of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 and the much lower index of refraction of the adjacent air spaces is mucn greater than can be achieved using lenses formed of standard optical glasses because standard optical glasses have index of refraction values that are much lower than high index of refraction glass materials.
- the efficiencies that are achieved by using a high index of refraction glass material to form the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 are greater than can be achieved using lenses formed of standard optical glasses.
- IR infrared
- An additional benefit to using a high index of refraction glass material to form the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimating/focusmg lens 16 is that the use of a high index of refraction glass material allows the collimatmg/focusing lens 16 to be a plano-convex singlet instead of a bi-convex singlet, doublet, or even higher number lens configuration. That is, the focusing power of only one curved surface on the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimating/focusmg lens 16 is sufficient to provide essentially diffraction-limited collimation/focusing.
- the collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 does not preclude the collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 from being a bi-convex homogeneous refractive index collimating/focusing singlet, doublet, or even higher number lens configuration.
- the collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 is a biconvex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg singlet, doublet, or even higher number lens configuration, the imaging of both the input optical beams 24 and output optical beam 26 withm the multiplexing device 10 is improved even more, as will be discussed m more detail below.
- a further benefit to using a high index of refraction glass material to form the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 is that the high index of refraction glass material can be used to lessen, and possibly even eliminate, aberrations caused by the spherical nature of the lens 16. These aberrations are lessened because the much greater refractive index of the high index of refraction glass material allows the radius of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index coliimatmg/focusm ⁇ lens 16 to be ⁇ reatly increased i.e., the _ens has much less curvature), thereby resulting m much less spherical and other aberrations.
- the above-described ability to decrease the level of aberrations m the multiplexing device 10 by using a high index of refraction glass material to form the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 is very significant. This discovery insures that the use of high index of refraction glass materials will result m a very large amount (or degree) of lens design freedom.
- the high index of refraction can be used either to make the curvature of a lens less steep, or to simplify the number and/or complexity cf the lenses that are used m a WDM device .
- plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusing _ens 16 may be spherical or asphe ⁇ cal m shape.
- spherical lenses are more common than asphe ⁇ cal lenses, mainly due to the fact that they are easier to manufacture, the performance of a WDM device may be further improved by using an aspherical homogeneous refractive index coliimatmg/focusmg lens instead of a spherical homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens.
- the curvature at the edges of an aspherical homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens is less steep than the curvature at the edges of a spherical homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens, thereby resulting m even further reductions m the level of spherical aberrations m a WDM device incorporating such an aspherical homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens.
- plano- convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 is typically coated with an anti-reflection material due to the high index of refraction of the glass material.
- the plurality of optical input fibers 12 could be replaced the multiplexing device 10 by a corresponding plurality of laser diodes 28 secured withm a coupling device 30, such as shown m Figure 2a.
- the coupling device 30 performs a similar function to the input fiber coupling device 14, that being to precisely group the plurality of laser diodes 28 into a one-dimensional input array.
- the plurality of laser diodes 23 are used in place of the plurality of optical mput fibers 12 tc transmit the plurality of monochromatic optical input beams 24 to the multiplexing device 10.
- the array of laser diodes 28 may operate alone, or may be used with appropriate focusing lenses to provide the best coupling and the lowest amount of signal loss and channel crosstalk.
- the multiplexing device 10 may be operated m a converse configuration as a demultiplexing device 48, such as shown m Figures 3a and 3b.
- the demultiplexing device 40 is physically identical to the multiplexing device 10, and is therefore numerically identified as such.
- the demultiplexing device 40 is functionally opposite to the multiplexing device 10. That is, a single multiplexed, polychromatic optical input beam 42 is transmitted from the single optical fiber 22, and a plurality of monochromatic optical output beams 44 are transmitted to the plurality of optical fibers 12, wherein each one of the plurality of monochromatic optical output beams 44 is transmitted to a corresponding one of the plurality of optical fibers 12.
- the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical input beam 42 is simultaneously carrying a plurality of channels of data, each at a unique wavelength which is preferably, but not required to be, withm the infrared (IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- the plurality of monochromatic optical output beams 44 are each carrying a single cnannel of data at a corresponding one of the unique wavelengths of the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical input beam 42.
- the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical input beam 42 is separated into the plurality of monochromatic optical output beams 44 through the combined operation of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 and the reflective diffraction grating 18.
- the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 and the reflective diffraction grating 18 operate to perform a demultiplexing function.
- the plurality of optical fibers 12 could be replaced m the demultiplexing device 40 by a corresponding plurality of photodetectors 48 secured withm a coupling device 50, such as shown m Figure 2b.
- the coupling device 50 performs a similar function to the fiber coupling device 14, that being to precisely group the plurality of photodetectors 45 into a one-dimensional input array.
- the plurality of photodetectors 48 are used m place of the plurality of optical fibers 12 to receive the plurality of monochromatic optical output beams 44 from the demultiplexing device 40.
- the array of photodetectors 48 may operate alone, or may be used with appropriate focusing lenses to provide the best coupling and the lowest amount of signal loss and channel crosstalk.
- FIG. 4a and 4b there are shown a side view and a top view, respectively, of an alternate embodiment of a wavelength division multiplexing device 60 m accordance with the present mvention.
- the multiplexing device 60 is physically identical to the multiplexing device 10, except for the addition of a first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 between the fiber coupling devices 14, 20 and the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg _ens 16, and a second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64 between the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 ano the reflective diffraction grating 18.
- a first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 between the fiber coupling devices 14, 20 and the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg _ens 16
- a second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64 between the plano-con
- the first homogeneous refractive index boot _ens 62 has a planar front surface 62a for mating with the fiber coupling devices 14 and 20 and the associated secured optical fibers 12 and 22, respectively.
- the fiber coupling devices 14 and 20 and the secured optical fibers 12 and 22 may be either abutted against the planar front surface 62a or affixed to the planar front surface 62a using optical cement or some other optically transparent bonding technique, depending upon system mobility requirements ano optical beam alignment and loss considerations.
- the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 also has a planar back surface 62b for mating with a planar front surface 16a of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16.
- the planar back surface 62b of the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 is typically joined or affixed to the planar front surface 16a of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 using optical cement or some other optically transparent bonding technique.
- the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64 has a concave front surface 64a for mating with a convex back surface 16b of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16.
- the concave front surface 64a of the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64 is typically joined or affixed to the convex back surface 16b of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 using optical cement or some other optically transparent bonding technique.
- the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64 also has a planar back surface 64b that is angled similar to the reflective diffraction grating 13 at the Littrow diffraction angle, ex , relative to the optical axis X-X of the multiplexing device o0.
- the reflective diffraction grating 16 can be formed using a separate material, and this material can then be joined or affixed to the planar back surface 64b of the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64 using optical cement or some other optically transparent bonding technique.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 can be formed directly on the planar back surface 64b of the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64, thereby avoiding the joining or affixing cf the reflective diffraction grating 13 to the pianar back surface 64b of the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 and the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64 are integrated along with the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 and the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 to form a compact, rigid, and environmentally and thermally stable multiplexing device 60.
- the integrated nature of this multiplexing device 60 is particularly useful for maintaining component alignment, which provides long-term performance m contrast to some non-mtegrated air-spaced devices that characteristically degrade m alignment and therefore performance over time.
- the multiplexing device 60 is functionally identical to the multiplexing device 10, except for a slight decrease m optical beam transmission efficiency due to the addition of the first and second homogeneous refractive index boot lenses 62 and 64, respectively.
- the optical performance of the multiplexing device 60 is still exceptional due to the use of a high index of refraction glass material to form the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16. That is, as previously described, the high index of refraction glass material can be used to lessen, and possibly even eliminate, aberrations caused by the spne ⁇ cal nature of the lens 16.
- the difference between the refractive index values of SF59 and fused silica is 7.93 times greater than the difference between the refractive index values of BK7 and fused silica. Accordingly, the radius of the lens 16 if fabricated of SF59 is allowed to be " .93 times greater than the radius of the lens 16 if fabricated of BK7. Further, aberrations caused by the spherical nature of the lens 16 are also typically reduced by this same factor (i.e., by 7.93 times).
- FIG. 5a and 5b there are shown a side view and a top view, respectively, of an alternate embodiment of a wavelength division multiplexing device 7 0 in accordance with the present invention.
- the multiplexing device 70 is physically identical to the multiplexing device 60, except that the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 has been removed and the planar front surface 16 'a of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16' has been extended so as to allow the fiber coupling devices 14, 20 and the secured optical fibers 12 and 22, respectively, to be either abutted against the planar front surface 16 'a or affixed to the planar front surface 16 'a using optical cement or some other optically transparent oon ⁇ g technique, depending upon system mobility requirements and optical beam alignment and loss considerations.
- the integrated nature of the multiplexing device 70 is particularly useful for maintaining component alignment, which provides long-term performance m contrast to some non-mtegrated air-spaced devices that characteristically degrade m alignment and therefore performance over time .
- the multiplexing device 70 is functionally identical to the multiplexing device 60, except for a slight increase m optical beam transmission efficiency due to the removal of the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62.
- plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 may be replaced by a convex-piano homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens U to form an alternate embodiment of a wavelength division multiplexing device 80 m accordance with the present invention as shown m Figures 6a and 6b.
- the multiplexing device 80 of Figures 6a and 6b realizes the above-described benefits of using a high index of refraction glass material to form the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 the multiplexing device 10 of Figures la and lb.
- the above-described benefits of using a high index of refraction glass material to form the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 m multiplexing device 10 of Figures la and lb are also realized when using a high index of refraction glass material to form the convex-piano homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 17 m multiplexing device 80 of Figures 6a and 6b.
- the multiplexing device 80 is functionally identical to the multiplexing device 10.
- homogeneous refractive index boot lenses can be added to the multiplexing device 80 of Figures 6a and 6b to form an alternate embodiment of a wavelength division multiplexing device 90 m accordance with the present invention as shown m Figures 7a and 7b.
- the multiplexing device 90 of Figures 7a and 7b realizes the above-described benefits of using homogeneous refractive index boot lenses in the multiplexing device 60 of Figures 4a and 4b.
- the above-described benefits of using the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 and the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64 m multiplexing device 60 of Figures 4a and 4b are also realized when using a first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 63 and a second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 65 in multiplexing device 90 of Figures 7a and 7b.
- the integrated nature of the multiplexing device 90 is particularly useful for maintaining component alignment, which provides long-term performance in contrast to some non-integrated air-spaced devices that characteristically degrade in alignment and therefore performance over time.
- the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 65 can be removed from the multiplexing device 90 of Figures 7a and b, and the back surface 17 'b of the convex-piano homogeneous refractive index collimating/focusing lens 17' can be extended out to the reflective diffraction grating 18 to form an alternate embodiment of a wavelength division multiplexing device 100 in accordance with the present invention as shown m Figures 8a and 3b.
- the back surface 17 'b cf the convex-piano homogeneous refractive index coUimating/ focusing lens 1 " ' is angled similar tc the reflective diffraction grating 18 at the Littrow diffraction angle, ⁇ , relative to the optical axis X-X of the multiplexing device 100.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 can be formed using a separate material, and this material can then be joined or affixed to the planar back surface 17 'b of the convex-piano homogeneous refractive index collimating/focusing lens 17' using optical cement or some other optically transparent bonding technique.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 can be formed directly on the planar back surface 17 'b of the convex-piano homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 17', thereby avoiding the joining or affixing of the reflective diffraction grating 18 to the planar back surface 17 'b of the convex-piano homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 17'.
- the reflective diffraction grating 18 and the convex- piano homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 17' are integrated along with the first homogeneous index boot lens 63 to form a compact, rigid, and environmentally and thermally stable multiplexing device 100.
- the integrated nature of the multiplexing device 100 is particularly ⁇ sefa.. for maintaining component alignment, which provides long-term performance in contrast to some non-mtegrated air-spaced devices that character ⁇ st ⁇ call_ degrade m alignment and therefore performance over time.
- the multiplexing device 100 is functionally identical to the multiplexing device 70.
- first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 or the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens 64 may be removed from the multiplexing device 60
- the second homogeneous refractive index boot lens - 4 ma_ oe removed from the mu_t ⁇ p exm ⁇ device ⁇ Z
- either the f_rst nomo ⁇ eneous refractive index boot lens >-3 or tne second homogeneous refractive index boot lens o5 may be removed from the multiplexing device 90
- the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 63 may be removed from the multiplexing device 100, m order to create additional alternate embodiments (not shown) while still retaining the above-describeo benefits of using a high index of refraction glass material to form the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 or the convex-piano homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg
- FIGS. 9a and 9b there are shown a side view and a top view, respectively, of an alternate embodiment of a wavelength division multiplexing device 110 m accordance with the present invention.
- the multiplexing device 110 is physically identical to the multiplexing device 10, except that the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 has been replaced by a bi-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 82 so as to further enhance the imaging of both the input optical beams 24 and output optical beam 26 withm the multiplexing device 110.
- the additional curved surface of the bi-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 82 provides additional imaging capability, thereby increasing the fiber coupling efficiency (FCE) of the multiplexing device 110.
- FCE fiber coupling efficiency
- the FCE of a WDM device expresses the efficiency of only the optical system of the WDM device for each data channel, without taking into account the efficiency of the diffraction grating.
- the use of the biconvex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 82 instead of the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg ⁇ ens 16 typically results m an increase m the FCE cf approximately 1 for the configuration of WDM devices shown m Figures 1 and 9.
- a trade-off must be made between a small increase m the FCE and the additional cost associated with fabricating a lens having an additional curved surface.
- the FCE can typically be achieved using doublet, triplet, or even higher number lens configurations .
- FIG. 10a and 10b there are shown a side view and a top view, respectively, of an alternate embodiment of a wavelength division multiplexing device 120 m accordance with the present invention.
- the multiplexing device 120 is phys ⁇ cal__ identical to the multiplexing device 60, except that the plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 has been replaced by a bi-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 82, and the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 has been replaced oy the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 63.
- the replacement of the planoconvex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 16 with the bi-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 82 _n the multiplexing device 90 has been done to further enhance the imaging of coth the p t optical beams 24 and cutout optical oeam 2- ,v ⁇ thm the multiplexing device 120.
- the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 62 nas been replaced ⁇ _th the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 63 because the first homogeneous refractive index boot lens 63 has a concave back surface 63b for mating with a convex front surface 82a of the bi-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 82.
- either the first homogeneous refractive index ooot _ens c2 or the second homogeneous refractive index boot _ens c- may be removed rrom the multiplexing device 120 m order to create additional alternate embodiments (not shown) while still retaining the above-described benefits of using a high index of refraction glass material to form the bi-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lens 82.
- Figure 11 there is shown a side view of an alternate embodiment of a wavelength division multiplexing device 130 m accordance with the present invention.
- the multiplexing device 130 differs from the previously described embodiments by using a separate bi- convex homogeneous refractive index coUimating lens 102, a separate bi-convex homogeneous refractive index focusing lens 106, and a reflective diffraction grating 104 that is configured to operate at reflecting angle that is different than the reflecting angle of the previously described embodiments.
- the bi-convex homogeneous refractive index coUimating lens 102 coiiimates the plurality of monochromatic optical mput beams 24, and then transmits the plurality cf collimated, monochromatic optical input beams 24' to tne reflective diffraction grating 104.
- the reflective diffraction grating 104 removes the angular separation from the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical mput beams 24' and reflects the single collimated, multiplexed, polychromatic optical output bear 2 ⁇ ' toward the bi-convex homogeneous retractive ⁇ ex focusing lens 106.
- the ci-convex homogenecis refractive index focusing lens 106 focuses the single collimated, multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26', and then transmits the resulting single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 tc the output fiber coupling device 2C where it becomes incident upon the single optical output fiber 22.
- the single multiplexed, polychromatic optical output beam 26 is then coupled into the single optical output fiber 22 for transmission therethrough.
- the multiplexing device 130 can be replaced with plano-convex homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg lenses, or with homogeneous refractive index collimatmg/focusmg doublet, triplet, or even higher number lens configurations.
- homogeneous refractive index boot lenses can be added to the multiplexing device 130 m accordance with the practices described above.
- the benefits and detriments associated with using these substitute/additional components are applicable to the multiplexing device 130 as would be the case with the embodiments described above.
- the most significant benefits come from the use of high index of refraction glass materials for the lenses. That is, regardless of embodiment, the use of high index of refraction glass materials for lenses in WDM devices yields increased device performance, as well as reduced device cost, complexity-, and manufacturing risk.
- the use of high index of refraction glass lenses allows for the construction of a family of simple, low cost, yet very powerful WDM devices, particularly for use in DWDM (i.e., high channel number) applications.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU53001/00A AU5300100A (en) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-05-31 | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses |
EP00937884A EP1210629A1 (en) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-05-31 | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses |
CA002383543A CA2383543A1 (en) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-05-31 | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/382,492 | 1999-08-25 | ||
US09/382,492 US6404945B1 (en) | 1997-12-13 | 1999-08-25 | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001014920A1 true WO2001014920A1 (en) | 2001-03-01 |
Family
ID=23509203
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2000/014714 WO2001014920A1 (en) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-05-31 | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6404945B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1210629A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1379864A (en) |
AU (1) | AU5300100A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2383543A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001014920A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6415080B1 (en) | 1999-09-03 | 2002-07-02 | Zolo Technologies, Inc. | Echelle grating dense wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6404945B1 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 2002-06-11 | Lightchip, Inc. | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses |
JP2006235115A (en) * | 2005-02-23 | 2006-09-07 | Sony Corp | Optical signal inputting device and electronic equipment using it |
JP4662960B2 (en) * | 2007-03-29 | 2011-03-30 | 富士通株式会社 | Wavelength selective switch |
US20160327747A1 (en) * | 2013-11-08 | 2016-11-10 | Empire Technology Development Llc | Printed ball lens and methods for their fabrication |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5107359A (en) * | 1988-11-25 | 1992-04-21 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Optical wavelength-divison multi/demultiplexer |
EP0859249A1 (en) * | 1997-02-14 | 1998-08-19 | Photonetics | Optical fiber wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer |
WO1999031532A2 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 1999-06-24 | Lightchip, Inc. | Integrated bi-directional axial gradient refractive index/diffraction grating wavelength division multiplexer |
Family Cites Families (81)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4198117A (en) | 1976-12-28 | 1980-04-15 | Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. | Optical wavelength-division multiplexing and demultiplexing device |
US4111524A (en) | 1977-04-14 | 1978-09-05 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated | Wavelength division multiplexer |
US4153330A (en) | 1977-12-01 | 1979-05-08 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated | Single-mode wavelength division optical multiplexer |
DE2916184A1 (en) | 1979-04-21 | 1980-10-30 | Philips Patentverwaltung | OPTICAL POWER DISTRIBUTOR |
US4274706A (en) | 1979-08-30 | 1981-06-23 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer for optical circuits |
US4299488A (en) | 1979-11-23 | 1981-11-10 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated | Time-division multiplexed spectrometer |
US4279464A (en) | 1979-12-18 | 1981-07-21 | Northern Telecom Limited | Integrated optical wavelength demultiplexer |
US4836634A (en) | 1980-04-08 | 1989-06-06 | Instruments Sa | Wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer using optical fibers |
FR2519148B1 (en) | 1981-12-24 | 1985-09-13 | Instruments Sa | WAVELENGTH SELECTOR |
DE3019956A1 (en) * | 1980-05-24 | 1981-12-03 | Ibm Deutschland Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart | MODULAR, FIBER OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM |
US4343532A (en) | 1980-06-16 | 1982-08-10 | General Dynamics, Pomona Division | Dual directional wavelength demultiplexer |
US4387955A (en) | 1981-02-03 | 1983-06-14 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Holographic reflective grating multiplexer/demultiplexer |
CA1154987A (en) | 1981-11-27 | 1983-10-11 | Narinder S. Kapany | Fiber optics commmunications modules |
NL8104123A (en) | 1981-09-07 | 1983-04-05 | Philips Nv | OPTICAL MULTIPLEX AND DEMULTIPLEX DEVICE. |
NL8104121A (en) | 1981-09-07 | 1983-04-05 | Philips Nv | TUNABLE OPTICAL DEMULTIPLEX DEVICE. |
DE3213839A1 (en) | 1982-04-15 | 1983-10-27 | Philips Patentverwaltung Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg | OPTICAL WAVELENGTH MULTIPLEX OR -DEMULTIPLEX ARRANGEMENT |
DE3216516A1 (en) | 1982-05-03 | 1983-11-03 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | OPTICAL WAVELENGTH MULTIPLEXER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GRILLED PRINCIPLE |
US4652080A (en) | 1982-06-22 | 1987-03-24 | Plessey Overseas Limited | Optical transmission systems |
FR2537808A1 (en) | 1982-12-08 | 1984-06-15 | Instruments Sa | OPTICAL COMPONENT WITH SHARED FUNCTION FOR OPTICAL TELETRANSMISSIONS |
DE3309349A1 (en) | 1983-03-16 | 1984-09-20 | Fa. Carl Zeiss, 7920 Heidenheim | WAVELENGTH MULTIPLEXER OR DEMULTIPLEXER |
FR2543768A1 (en) | 1983-03-31 | 1984-10-05 | Instruments Sa | WAVE LENGTH MULTIPLEXER-DEMULTIPLEXER AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME |
US4522462A (en) | 1983-05-27 | 1985-06-11 | The Mitre Corporation | Fiber optic bidirectional wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer with total and/or partial redundancy |
NL8402931A (en) | 1983-08-12 | 1985-04-16 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | OPTICAL COUPLING BODY. |
US4643519A (en) | 1983-10-03 | 1987-02-17 | International Telephone And Telegraph Corporation | Wavelength division optical multiplexer/demultiplexer |
FR2553243B1 (en) | 1983-10-11 | 1990-03-30 | Lignes Telegraph Telephon | WAVELENGTH OPTICAL WAVELENGTH MULTIPLEXER-DEMULTIPLEXER FOR BIDIRECTIONAL LINK |
NL8304311A (en) | 1983-12-15 | 1985-07-01 | Philips Nv | REFLECTION GRID. |
DE3503203A1 (en) | 1985-01-31 | 1986-08-07 | Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag, 7000 Stuttgart | OPTICAL MULTIPLEXER / DEMULTIPLEXER |
US4773063A (en) | 1984-11-13 | 1988-09-20 | University Of Delaware | Optical wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing system |
FR2579044B1 (en) | 1985-03-13 | 1988-02-26 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | DEVICE FOR MULTIPLEXING MULTIPLE LIGHT SIGNALS IN INTEGRATED OPTICS |
DE3509132A1 (en) | 1985-03-14 | 1986-09-18 | Fa. Carl Zeiss, 7920 Heidenheim | WAVELENGTH MULTIPLEXER OR DEMULTIPLEXER |
FR2579333B1 (en) | 1985-03-20 | 1987-07-03 | Instruments Sa | WAVELENGTH MULTIPLEXER-DEMULTIPLEXER CORRECTED FOR GEOMETRIC AND CHROMATIC ABERRATIONS |
EP0226868B1 (en) | 1985-12-10 | 1992-11-25 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Integrated-optical multiplex-demultiplex module for optical message transmission |
US4749247A (en) | 1986-04-03 | 1988-06-07 | The Mitre Corporation | Self-monitoring fiber optic link |
FR2609180B1 (en) | 1986-12-31 | 1989-11-03 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | MULTIPLEXER-DEMULTIPLEXER USING A CONCAVE ELLIPTICAL NETWORK AND CONDUCTED IN INTEGRATED OPTICS |
US4834485A (en) | 1988-01-04 | 1989-05-30 | Pencom International Corporation | Integrated fiber optics transmitter/receiver device |
US5026131A (en) | 1988-02-22 | 1991-06-25 | Physical Optics Corporation | High channel density, broad bandwidth wavelength division multiplexer with highly non-uniform Bragg-Littrow holographic grating |
US4926412A (en) | 1988-02-22 | 1990-05-15 | Physical Optics Corporation | High channel density wavelength division multiplexer with defined diffracting means positioning |
US4857726A (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1989-08-15 | Allied-Signal Inc. | Method to decode relative spectral data |
JPH01306886A (en) | 1988-06-03 | 1989-12-11 | Canon Inc | Volume phase type diffraction grating |
US4930855A (en) | 1988-06-06 | 1990-06-05 | Trw Inc. | Wavelength multiplexing of lasers |
US5114513A (en) | 1988-10-27 | 1992-05-19 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. | Optical device and manufacturing method thereof |
US4934784A (en) | 1989-03-20 | 1990-06-19 | Kaptron, Inc. | Hybrid active devices coupled to fiber via spherical reflectors |
US4923271A (en) | 1989-03-28 | 1990-05-08 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company | Optical multiplexer/demultiplexer using focusing Bragg reflectors |
US5210374A (en) | 1990-05-21 | 1993-05-11 | Channell William H | Terminal housing for buried communication lines |
US5245404A (en) | 1990-10-18 | 1993-09-14 | Physical Optics Corportion | Raman sensor |
GB2251957B (en) | 1990-11-29 | 1993-12-15 | Toshiba Kk | Optical coupler |
AU661339B2 (en) | 1991-09-03 | 1995-07-20 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | Fiber optic status monitor and control system |
US5228103A (en) | 1992-08-17 | 1993-07-13 | University Of Maryland | Monolithically integrated wavelength division multiplexing laser array |
US5440416A (en) | 1993-02-24 | 1995-08-08 | At&T Corp. | Optical network comprising a compact wavelength-dividing component |
US5457573A (en) | 1993-03-10 | 1995-10-10 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Diffraction element and an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device incorporating the same |
US5355237A (en) | 1993-03-17 | 1994-10-11 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Wavelength-division multiplexed optical integrated circuit with vertical diffraction grating |
US5917625A (en) * | 1993-09-09 | 1999-06-29 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | High resolution optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device in optical communication system |
US5555334A (en) | 1993-10-07 | 1996-09-10 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Optical transmission and receiving module and optical communication system using the same |
US5526155A (en) | 1993-11-12 | 1996-06-11 | At&T Corp. | High-density optical wavelength division multiplexing |
US5450510A (en) | 1994-06-09 | 1995-09-12 | Apa Optics, Inc. | Wavelength division multiplexed optical modulator and multiplexing method using same |
US5500910A (en) | 1994-06-30 | 1996-03-19 | The Whitaker Corporation | Passively aligned holographic WDM |
US5606434A (en) | 1994-06-30 | 1997-02-25 | University Of North Carolina | Achromatic optical system including diffractive optical element |
US5657406A (en) | 1994-09-23 | 1997-08-12 | United Technologies Corporation | Efficient optical wavelength multiplexer/de-multiplexer |
US5541774A (en) | 1995-02-27 | 1996-07-30 | Blankenbecler; Richard | Segmented axial gradient lens |
US5703722A (en) | 1995-02-27 | 1997-12-30 | Blankenbecler; Richard | Segmented axial gradinet array lens |
US5583683A (en) | 1995-06-15 | 1996-12-10 | Optical Corporation Of America | Optical multiplexing device |
FR2738432B1 (en) | 1995-09-01 | 1997-09-26 | Hamel Andre | OPTICAL COMPONENT SUITABLE FOR MONITORING A MULTI-WAVELENGTH LENGTH AND INSERTION-EXTRACTION MULTIPLEXER USING THE SAME, APPLICATION TO OPTICAL NETWORKS |
US5745612A (en) | 1995-12-18 | 1998-04-28 | International Business Machines Corporation | Wavelength sorter and its application to planarized dynamic wavelength routing |
US5768450A (en) | 1996-01-11 | 1998-06-16 | Corning Incorporated | Wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer with varied propagation constant |
US5777763A (en) | 1996-01-16 | 1998-07-07 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | In-line optical wavelength reference and control module |
US5745270A (en) | 1996-03-28 | 1998-04-28 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus for monitoring and correcting individual wavelength channel parameters in a multi-channel wavelength division multiplexer system |
US5742416A (en) | 1996-03-28 | 1998-04-21 | Ciena Corp. | Bidirectional WDM optical communication systems with bidirectional optical amplifiers |
US5748350A (en) | 1996-06-19 | 1998-05-05 | E-Tek Dynamics, Inc. | Dense wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer devices |
US5745271A (en) | 1996-07-31 | 1998-04-28 | Lucent Technologies, Inc. | Attenuation device for wavelength multiplexed optical fiber communications |
US5880834A (en) | 1996-10-16 | 1999-03-09 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Convex diffraction grating imaging spectrometer |
US6134359A (en) * | 1997-11-24 | 2000-10-17 | Jds Uniphase Inc. | Optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device having a wavelength dispersive element |
US6243513B1 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 2001-06-05 | Lightchip, Inc. | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using diffractive optic lenses |
US6011885A (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 2000-01-04 | Lightchip, Inc. | Integrated bi-directional gradient refractive index wavelength division multiplexer |
US6263135B1 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 2001-07-17 | Lightchip, Inc. | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using high index of refraction crystalline lenses |
US6181853B1 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 2001-01-30 | Lightchip, Inc. | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing device using dual polymer lenses |
US6404945B1 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 2002-06-11 | Lightchip, Inc. | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses |
US5999672A (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 1999-12-07 | Light Chip, Inc. | Integrated bi-directional dual axial gradient refractive index/diffraction grating wavelength division multiplexer |
US6298182B1 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 2001-10-02 | Light Chip, Inc. | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using polymer lenses |
US6289155B1 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 2001-09-11 | Lightchip, Inc. | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using dual high index of refraction crystalline lenses |
US6236780B1 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 2001-05-22 | Light Chip, Inc. | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using dual diffractive optic lenses |
US6108471A (en) * | 1998-11-17 | 2000-08-22 | Bayspec, Inc. | Compact double-pass wavelength multiplexer-demultiplexer having an increased number of channels |
-
1999
- 1999-08-25 US US09/382,492 patent/US6404945B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-05-31 AU AU53001/00A patent/AU5300100A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-05-31 CA CA002383543A patent/CA2383543A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-05-31 EP EP00937884A patent/EP1210629A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-05-31 CN CN00814429A patent/CN1379864A/en active Pending
- 2000-05-31 WO PCT/US2000/014714 patent/WO2001014920A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2002
- 2002-04-30 US US10/134,398 patent/US6580856B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5107359A (en) * | 1988-11-25 | 1992-04-21 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Optical wavelength-divison multi/demultiplexer |
EP0859249A1 (en) * | 1997-02-14 | 1998-08-19 | Photonetics | Optical fiber wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer |
WO1999031532A2 (en) * | 1997-12-13 | 1999-06-24 | Lightchip, Inc. | Integrated bi-directional axial gradient refractive index/diffraction grating wavelength division multiplexer |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP1210629A1 * |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6415080B1 (en) | 1999-09-03 | 2002-07-02 | Zolo Technologies, Inc. | Echelle grating dense wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer |
US6647182B2 (en) | 1999-09-03 | 2003-11-11 | Zolo Technologies, Inc. | Echelle grating dense wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer |
USRE40271E1 (en) | 1999-09-03 | 2008-04-29 | Zolo Technologies, Inc. | Echelle grating dense wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6580856B1 (en) | 2003-06-17 |
US6404945B1 (en) | 2002-06-11 |
CA2383543A1 (en) | 2001-03-01 |
CN1379864A (en) | 2002-11-13 |
EP1210629A1 (en) | 2002-06-05 |
AU5300100A (en) | 2001-03-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5999672A (en) | Integrated bi-directional dual axial gradient refractive index/diffraction grating wavelength division multiplexer | |
US6271970B1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using dual homogeneous refractive index lenses | |
US6011884A (en) | Integrated bi-directional axial gradient refractive index/diffraction grating wavelength division multiplexer | |
US6289155B1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using dual high index of refraction crystalline lenses | |
US6011885A (en) | Integrated bi-directional gradient refractive index wavelength division multiplexer | |
US6263135B1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using high index of refraction crystalline lenses | |
US6181853B1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing device using dual polymer lenses | |
CA2413832A1 (en) | Ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices | |
JP2005309370A (en) | Optical module, optical multiplexer/demultiplexer, and optical multiplexing/demultiplexing unit using it | |
US6243513B1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using diffractive optic lenses | |
US6236780B1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using dual diffractive optic lenses | |
US6434299B1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices having concave diffraction gratings | |
US11474299B2 (en) | Wavelength-division multiplexing devices with modified angles of incidence | |
US6298182B1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using polymer lenses | |
US6404945B1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using homogeneous refractive index lenses | |
US6829096B1 (en) | Bi-directional wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices | |
KR100860405B1 (en) | In-fiber wavelength division multiplexing device and method for radiating fiber signal of multi channel | |
US7006728B1 (en) | Add/drop module using two full-ball lenses | |
JP2003066269A (en) | Multi-wavelength demultiplexing optical device and wavelength multiplexed light transmission module | |
US20030086643A1 (en) | Wavelength division multiplexer and wavelength dividing method | |
MXPA00005783A (en) | Integrated bi-directional axial gradient refractive index/diffraction grating wavelength division multiplexer |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2383543 Country of ref document: CA |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2000937884 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 00814429X Country of ref document: CN |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 10129913 Country of ref document: US |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 2000937884 Country of ref document: EP |
|
REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8642 |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: JP |
|
WWW | Wipo information: withdrawn in national office |
Ref document number: 2000937884 Country of ref document: EP |