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US4153330A
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Single-mode wavelength division optical multiplexer
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1977-12-01
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Granted: 1979-05-08
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Expires: 1997-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A wavelength division optical multiplexer for combining single mode beams involves a lens formed in a thin-film waveguide and a reflection diffraction grating outside the waveguide.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter J. Tomlinson, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:46
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29304; G02B6/29316; G02B6/29325; G02B6/29328; G02B6/29379; G02B6/2938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A single-mode optical multiplexer comprising: a thin-film optical waveguide mounted on a substrate and having a first edge and a second edge, a single-mode output optical fiber coupled to said first edge, at least two means for coupling optical radiation into said first edge, means, located between said first edge and said second edge, for collimating input light emerging from said at least two means for coupling optical radiation into said first edge, and for focusing collimated light entering from said second edge into said output optical fiber, and a reflection diffraction grating adjacent to said second edge for reflecting input light back through said collimating and focusing means into said output fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A single-mode optical multiplexer comprising: a thin-film optical waveguide mounted on a substrate and having a first edge and a second edge, a single-mode output optical fiber coupled to said first edge, at least two means for coupling optical radiation into said first edge, means, located between said first edge and said second edge, for collimating input light emerging from said at least two means for coupling optical radiation into said first edge, and for focusing collimated light entering from said second edge into said output optical fiber, and a reflection diffraction grating adjacent to said second edge for reflecting input light back through said collimating and focusing means into said output fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
A single-mode optical demultiplexer comprising: a thin-film optical waveguide having a first edge and a second edge, a single-mode input optical fiber coupled to said first edge, at least two means coupled to said first edge, for detecting optical radiation, means, located between said first edge and said second edge, for collimating input light emerging from said input fiber and for focusing collimated input light entering from said second edge into said at least two means for detecting optical radiation, and a reflection diffraction grating adjacent to said second edge for reflecting and diffracting input light back through said collimating and focusing means into said output fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
A single-mode optical demultiplexer comprising: a thin-film optical waveguide having a first edge and a second edge, a single-mode input optical fiber coupled to said first edge, at least two means coupled to said first edge, for detecting optical radiation, means, located between said first edge and said second edge, for collimating input light emerging from said input fiber and for focusing collimated input light entering from said second edge into said at least two means for detecting optical radiation, and a reflection diffraction grating adjacent to said second edge for reflecting and diffracting input light back through said collimating and focusing means into said output fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
A single-mode optical multiplexer comprising: a thin-film optical waveguide mounted on a substrate and having a first edge and a second edge, a single-mode output optical fiber coupled to said first edge, at least two single-mode input optical fibers coupled to said first edge, means, located between said first edge and said second edge, for collimating input light emerging from said at least two input fibers and for focusing collimated light entering from said second edge into said output optical fiber, and a reflection diffraction grating adjacent to said second edge for reflecting input light back through said collimating and focusing means into said output fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
A single-mode optical multiplexer comprising: a thin-film optical waveguide mounted on a substrate and having a first edge and a second edge, a single-mode output optical fiber coupled to said first edge, at least two single-mode input optical fibers coupled to said first edge, means, located between said first edge and said second edge, for collimating input light emerging from said at least two input fibers and for focusing collimated light entering from said second edge into said output optical fiber, and a reflection diffraction grating adjacent to said second edge for reflecting input light back through said collimating and focusing means into said output fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical multiplexer according to claim 3 in which said input and output optical fibers are connected to said thin-film waveguide by butt joints.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical multiplexer according to claim 3 in which said means for collimating input light includes a geodesic lens formed in said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical multiplexer according to claim 3 in which said means for collimating input light includes a mode index lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
A single-mode optical demultiplexer comprising: a thin-film optical waveguide having a first edge and a second edge, a single-mode input optical fiber coupled to said first edge, at least two single-mode output optical fibers coupled to said first edge, means, located between said first edge and said second edge, for collimating input light emerging from said input fiber and for focusing collimated input light entering from said second edge into said output optical fibers, and a reflection diffraction grating adjacent to said second edge for reflecting and diffracting input light back through said collimating and focusing means into said output fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A single-mode optical demultiplexer comprising: a thin-film optical waveguide having a first edge and a second edge, a single-mode input optical fiber coupled to said first edge, at least two single-mode output optical fibers coupled to said first edge, means, located between said first edge and said second edge, for collimating input light emerging from said input fiber and for focusing collimated input light entering from said second edge into said output optical fibers, and a reflection diffraction grating adjacent to said second edge for reflecting and diffracting input light back through said collimating and focusing means into said output fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical demultiplexer according to claim 7 in which said input and output optical fibers are connected to said thin-film waveguide by butt joints.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical demultiplexer according to claim 7 in which said means for collimating input light includes a geodesic lens formed in said substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical demultiplexer according to claim 7 in which said means for collimating input light includes a mode index lens.
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) | 1982-05-07 | 1982-11-06 | 1983-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-07 | 1986-11-06 | 1987-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-07 | 1990-11-06 | 1991-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |