US4690489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated optical wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device for monomode transmission systems and its use
Assignee: US Philips Corp
•
Filing: 1985-02-19
•
Granted: 1987-09-01
•
Expires: 2005-02-19
Abstract
Abstract An integrated optical wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer device for monomode systems is provided in order to fully utilize the large transmission capacity of monomode transmission systems. As shown in FIG. 1, the multiplexer/demultiplexer consists of a lateral two-mode strip waveguide, to which are connected, on both sides, two monomode strip waveguides. The wavelength selectivity of this element is attained by the different mode dispersions of the two modes capable of propagating in the two-mode strip waveguide. These modes are coupled to the monomode strip waveguides by adiabatic mode conversion. The element has a periodic wavelength dependence based on the operating principle of the two-mode interference. This dependence is utilized to construct compact multichannel multiplexer/demultiplexer devices in the form of cascaded, branching multiplexer/demultiplexer elements. In the manufacture of the multiplexer/demultiplexer, the wavelength dependence and the division ratio between the optical powers in the two output waveguides may be varied by means of numerous devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Antonius A. Neyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 01:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/125; G02B6/12007; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02F1/3137; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808; G02B6/2813; G02F1/01; G02F1/0147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device for combining radiation of wavelength λ 0 with radiation of wavelength λ 1 , and for separating radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into radiation of wavelength λ 0 and separate radiation of wavelength λ 1 , said device comprising: a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; and second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device for combining radiation of wavelength λ 0 with radiation of wavelength λ 1 , and for separating radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into radiation of wavelength λ 0 and separate radiation of wavelength λ 1 , said device comprising: a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; and second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: the monomode strip waveguides have substantially equal widths and substantially equal maximum increases in their refractive indices; the two-mode waveguide has a maximum increase in refractive index which is substantially equal to the maximum increase in refractive index of the monomode waveguides; and the two-mode waveguide has a width which is greater than the widths of the monomode waveguides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the two-mode waveguide has a central region with a refractive index and has a peripheral region with a refractive index which is less than the refractive index of the central region, the central region having a width which is less than the width of the two-mode waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the central region is permanent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising thermooptic means for producing the central region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising electrooptic means for producing the central region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: the monomode strip waveguides have substantially equal widths and substantially equal maximum increases in their refractive indices; the two-mode waveguide has a width which is substantially equal to the widths of the monomode strip waveguides; and the two-mode waveguide has a maximum increase in refractive index which is greater than the maximum increase in refractive index of the monomode waveguides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the two-mode waveguide has a central region with a refractive index and has a peripheral region with a refractive index which is less than the refractive index of the central region, the central region having a width which is less than the width of the two-mode waveguide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the central region is permanent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising thermooptic means for producing the central region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising electrooptic means for producing the central region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
169 words
A wavelength multiplexer device for combining radiation of wavelength λ 0 with radiation of wavelength λ 1 , said device comprising: a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; means for injecting radiation of wavelength λ 0 into the second monomode strip waveguide; and means for injecting radiation of wavelength λ 1 into the third monomode strip waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer, whereby radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the first monomode waveguide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
169 words
A wavelength multiplexer device for combining radiation of wavelength λ 0 with radiation of wavelength λ 1 , said device comprising: a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; means for injecting radiation of wavelength λ 0 into the second monomode strip waveguide; and means for injecting radiation of wavelength λ 1 into the third monomode strip waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer, whereby radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the first monomode waveguide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
182 words
A wavelength demultiplexer device for separating radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into radiation of wavelength λ 0 and separate radiation of wavelength λ 1 , said device comprising: a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; and means for injecting radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into the first monomode waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer, whereby radiation of wavelength λ 0 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the second monomode waveguide, and radiation of wavelength λ 1 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the third monomode waveguide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
182 words
A wavelength demultiplexer device for separating radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into radiation of wavelength λ 0 and separate radiation of wavelength λ 1 , said device comprising: a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; and means for injecting radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into the first monomode waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer, whereby radiation of wavelength λ 0 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the second monomode waveguide, and radiation of wavelength λ 1 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the third monomode waveguide.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of combining a radiation beam of wavelength λ 0 with a radiation beam of wavelength λ 1 , said method comprising the steps of: providing a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; providing a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; providing second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; injecting radiation of wavelength λ 0 into the second monomode strip waveguide; and injecting radiation of wavelength λ 1 into the third monomode strip waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer, whereby radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the first monomode waveguide.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of combining a radiation beam of wavelength λ 0 with a radiation beam of wavelength λ 1 , said method comprising the steps of: providing a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; providing a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; providing second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; injecting radiation of wavelength λ 0 into the second monomode strip waveguide; and injecting radiation of wavelength λ 1 into the third monomode strip waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer, whereby radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the first monomode waveguide.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of separating a combined radiation beam of wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into radiation of wavelength λ 0 and separate radiation of wavelength λ 1 , said method comprising the steps of: providing a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; providing a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; providing second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; and injecting radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into the first monomode waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer, whereby radiation of wavelength λ 0 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the second monomode waveguide, and radiation of wavelength λ 1 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the third monomode waveguide.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of separating a combined radiation beam of wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into radiation of wavelength λ 0 and separate radiation of wavelength λ 1 , said method comprising the steps of: providing a two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; providing a first monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the two-mode strip waveguide; providing second and third monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the second end of the two-mode strip waveguide; and injecting radiation of combined wavelengths λ 0 and λ 1 into the first monomode waveguide; characterized in that the difference Δλ between λ 0 and λ 1 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguide in the vicinity of λ 0 , and where n is an odd integer, whereby radiation of wavelength λ 0 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the second monomode waveguide, and radiation of wavelength λ 1 is coupled from the two-mode waveguide into the third monomode waveguide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
221 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device for combining three radiation beams of wavelengths λ 1 , λ 2 , and λ 3 , respectively, and for separating a radiation beam of combined wavelengths λ 1 , λ 2 , and λ 3 into separate radiation beams of wavelengths λ 1 , λ 2 , and λ 3 , respectively, said device comprising: a first two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; a second two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length approximately equal to 2 L from the first end to the second end; first and second monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the first end of the first two-mode strip waveguide; a third monomode strip waveguide having first and second ends, the first end of the third monomode strip waveguide being optically coupled to the first end of the second two-mode strip waveguide, the second end of the third monomode strip waveguide being optically coupled to the second end of the first two-mode strip waveguide; a fourth monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the second two-mode strip waveguide; and a fifth monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the second end of the second two-mode strip waveguide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
221 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device for combining three radiation beams of wavelengths λ 1 , λ 2 , and λ 3 , respectively, and for separating a radiation beam of combined wavelengths λ 1 , λ 2 , and λ 3 into separate radiation beams of wavelengths λ 1 , λ 2 , and λ 3 , respectively, said device comprising: a first two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length L from the first end to the second end; a second two-mode strip waveguide having first and second opposite ends and having a length approximately equal to 2 L from the first end to the second end; first and second monomode strip waveguides optically coupled to the first end of the first two-mode strip waveguide; a third monomode strip waveguide having first and second ends, the first end of the third monomode strip waveguide being optically coupled to the first end of the second two-mode strip waveguide, the second end of the third monomode strip waveguide being optically coupled to the second end of the first two-mode strip waveguide; a fourth monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the first end of the second two-mode strip waveguide; and a fifth monomode strip waveguide optically coupled to the second end of the second two-mode strip waveguide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
111 words
A wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that: radiation of wavelength λ 1 is input or output through the first monomode waveguide, radiation of wavelength λ 2 is input or output through the second monomode waveguide, and radiation of wavelength λ 3 is input or output through the fourth monomode waveguide; the difference Δλ between λ 1 and λ 2 is approximately equal to nπ/γL, where γ is the differential mode dispersion of the two-mode waveguides in the vicinity of λ 1 , and where n is an odd integer; and the difference Δλ' between λ 1 and λ 3 is approximately equal to nπ/2γL.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4196964A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-02 | 1991-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-31 | 1995-03-02 | 1995-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-31 | 1999-03-02 | 1999-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |