US4433895A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integrated optical structure with velocity matched directional coupling
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1981-08-20
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Granted: 1984-02-28
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Expires: 2001-08-20
Abstract
Abstract An integrated optical structure creating directional coupling between two waveguides in which an index disturbance accompanying the guided photons is caused to act on two closely-spaced waveguides, this disturbance being produced by a progressive elastic wave with sloping wavefronts emitted by an electromechanical transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Puech
- 👤 Michel Papuchon
- 👤 Herve Arditty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/33; G02F1/335
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An integrated optical structure with velocity matched directional coupling comprising: a substrate, two optical waveguides on the surface of said substrate providing an exchange of energy over a predetermined coupling distance, and an electromechanical transducer emitting a progressive, elastic surface wave inducing the synchronous propagation of an index disturbance accompanying the guided photons, the obliquity of wavefronts reaching said waveguides being adjusted so that synchronous propagation is achieved between said guided photons and said index disturbance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An integrated optical structure with velocity matched directional coupling comprising: a substrate, two optical waveguides on the surface of said substrate providing an exchange of energy over a predetermined coupling distance, and an electromechanical transducer emitting a progressive, elastic surface wave inducing the synchronous propagation of an index disturbance accompanying the guided photons, the obliquity of wavefronts reaching said waveguides being adjusted so that synchronous propagation is achieved between said guided photons and said index disturbance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the half-wavelength of the elastic surface wave is an uneven submultiple of the spacing between said waveguides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transducer is a transducer formed from two interdigited electrodes in the form of combs; said substrate comprising a piezoelectric material on which said electrodes rest.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein said substrate is formed by lithum niobate; said waveguides being obtained by diffusion of titanium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises several directional couplers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a plurality of electromechanical transducers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic surface wave is a sinusoidal wave.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transducer is energized by an alternating signal and the uneven rank harmonics thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein wavefront deflecting means are inserted between said transducer and said guides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for the electric adjustment of the coupling length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transducer comprises an alignment of elementary transducers supplied by phase adjustment circuits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling distance ensures total transfer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the half-wavelength λ a of said elastic surface wave is chosen different from an uneven submultiple of the spacing between said guides so that the coupled pulses have a duration increased in the ratio 1/sin (πa/λ a ).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical pulse-train transmission system; comprising at least one structure as claimed in claim 1, said transmission system comprising means for generating pulses associating with said structure a continuous emission radiation source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said source emits monochromatic radiation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2204813B1
Cited
US4026632A
Cited
US4157860A
Cited
DE3006102A1
Cited
US4251130A
Cited
US4372643A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-27 | 1987-08-29 | 1988-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-27 | 1991-08-29 | 1992-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-27 | 1995-08-29 | 1996-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |