US4093343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical waveguide having periodic spatial perturbations
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1976-09-22
•
Granted: 1978-06-06
•
Expires: 1996-09-22
Abstract
Abstract An optical waveguide in which intermodal coupling is deliberately induced. Perturbations are introduced along the waveguide. The perturbations have a spatial frequency that varies along the guide from f1 to f2, where f2 is </= the critical frequency above which coupling to unguided modes occurs and f1 corresponds to the beat between the nth and the (n + 1)th modes, the lowest modes of interest propagating in the guide.
Inventors
- 👤 Logan Ezral Hargrove
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/268; G02B6/10; G02B6/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a multimode waveguide capable of guiding wave energy at a frequency of interest in a plurality of different propagating modes, and of dissipating wave energy in the form of radiating modes, means, longitudinally distributed along said waveguide, for enhancing the coupling between selected pairs of propagating modes; characterized in that: the spatial frequency of said coupling-enhancing means varies between a first frequency f 1 and a second frequency f 2 , where f 1 and f 2 are the spatial frequencies corresponding, respectively, to the beat frequency between the two lowest order propagating modes, and the two highest order propagating modes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a multimode waveguide capable of guiding wave energy at a frequency of interest in a plurality of different propagating modes, and of dissipating wave energy in the form of radiating modes, means, longitudinally distributed along said waveguide, for enhancing the coupling between selected pairs of propagating modes; characterized in that: the spatial frequency of said coupling-enhancing means varies between a first frequency f 1 and a second frequency f 2 , where f 1 and f 2 are the spatial frequencies corresponding, respectively, to the beat frequency between the two lowest order propagating modes, and the two highest order propagating modes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The waveguide according to claim 1 wherein the spatial frequency varies linearly between f 1 and f 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The waveguide according to claim 1 wherein said spatial frequency varies in an arbitrary manner between f 1 and f 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The waveguide according to claim 1 wherein said coupling-enhancing means comprise perturbations in the propagation characteristics of said waveguide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A waveguide according to claim 4 wherein the spatial frequency of said perturbations varies repetitively between f 1 and f 2 and has a sawtooth-shaped frequency-versus-position characteristic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waveguide according to claim 4 wherein said waveguide contains unperturbed regions therealong interspersed between perturbed regions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waveguide according to claim 6 wherein said unperturbed regions are of equal length along the guide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waveguide according to claim 6 wherein said unperturbed regions are of unequal length along the guide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waveguide according to claim 6 wherein said unperturbed regions are of random length along the guide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A waveguide according to claim 4 wherein the frequency of said perturbations varies repetitively from f 1 to f 2 to f 1 and has a sinusoidal-shaped frequency-versus-position characteristic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A waveguide according to claim 4 wherein the frequency of said perturbations varies repetitively from f 1 to f 2 to f 1 and has a triangular-shaped frequency-versus-position characteristic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waveguide according to claim 11 wherein said guide contains unperturbed regions therealong interspersed between perturbed regions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waveguide according to claim 11 wherein said unperturbed regions are of equal length along the guide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waveguide according to claim 1 wherein said unperturbed regions are of unequal length along the guide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waveguide according to claim 11 wherein said unperturbed regions are of random length along the guide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-05 | 1981-12-05 | 1982-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-05 | 1985-12-05 | 1986-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-05 | 1989-12-05 | 1990-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |