US4733940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Long wavelength optical fiber communication and sensing systems
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1985-09-20
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Granted: 1988-03-29
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Expires: 2005-09-20
Abstract
Abstract Optical communication and sensing systems are disclosed which operate at long wavelengths, i.e., wavelengths greater than about 2 μm, but less than or equal to about 11 μm. Each of these systems includes an optical fiber having material, such as a metal halide glass, which is substantially transparent to long wavelength electromagnetic radiation. These optical fibers exhibit reduced microdeformation and macrobending losses, as well as low total dispersions, at the long wavelengths. In contrast to currently held beliefs, this is achieved by using fiber designs involving relatively small relative refractive index differences, which are readily manufacturable and which avoid undesirable crystallization at core-cladding interfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthijs M. Broer
- 👤 Kenneth L. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A waveguide, comprising: an optical fiber which is capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength, λ, greater than about 2 μm but less than or equal to about 11μm, said fiber being single mode and characterized by an equivalent step index, relative refractive index difference, Δ e , at said wavelength, λ, characterized in that said optical fiber includes material which is substantially transparent to said electromangetic radiation of wavelength λ, said Δ e is chosen so that ##EQU10## and Δ e ≧0.391×10 -4 λ 2 -0.487×10 -3 λ+0.411×10 -2 , and said fiber is dispersion shifted so that the total dispersion suffered by said electromagnetic radiation of wavelength λ within said fiber is less than or equal to about 10 ps/km-nm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A waveguide, comprising: an optical fiber which is capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength, λ, greater than about 2 μm but less than or equal to about 11μm, said fiber being single mode and characterized by an equivalent step index, relative refractive index difference, Δ e , at said wavelength, λ, characterized in that said optical fiber includes material which is substantially transparent to said electromangetic radiation of wavelength λ, said Δ e is chosen so that ##EQU10## and Δ e ≧0.391×10 -4 λ 2 -0.487×10 -3 λ+0.411×10 -2 , and said fiber is dispersion shifted so that the total dispersion suffered by said electromagnetic radiation of wavelength λ within said fiber is less than or equal to about 10 ps/km-nm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein said Δ e is chosen so that ##EQU11##
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein said Δ e is chosen so that ##EQU12##
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein said Δ e is chosen so that Δ.sub.e ≧-0.169×10.sup.-3 λ.sup.2 +0.154×10.sup.-2 λ+0.335×10.sup.-2, and said fiber is dispersion shifted so that the total dispersion suffered by said electromagnetic radiation of wavelength, λ within said fiber is less than or equal to about 1 ps/km-nm
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein said material includes a metal halide glass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a zirconium halide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a hafnium halide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a cadmium halide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a barium halide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a zinc halide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a lead halide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a bismuth halide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes an aluminum halide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a cesium halide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a lanthanum halide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a gadolinium halide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a lithium halide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a manganese halide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a potassium halide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a rubidium halide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a silver halide
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a sodium halide.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a thallium halide.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a thorium halide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 5 wherein said glass includes a yttrium halide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein said material includes a chalcogenide glass.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
143 words
An optical system, comprising: a source of electromagnetic radiation, said source being capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength, λ, greater than about 2 μm but less than or equal to about 11 μm; a device; and an optical fiber which transmits at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by said source toward said device, said fiber being single mode and characterized by an equivalent, step index, relative refractive index difference, Δ e , at said wavelength, λ, characterized in that said optical fiber includes material which is substantially transparent to said electromagnetic radiation of wavelength λ, said Δ e is chosen so that ##EQU13## and Δ.sub.e ≧0.391×10.sup.-4 λ.sup.2 -0.487×10.sup.-3 λ+0.411×10.sup.-2, and said fiber is dispersion shifted so that the total dispersion suffered by said electromagnetic radiation of wavelength λwithin said fiber is less than or equal to about 10 ps/km-nm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
143 words
An optical system, comprising: a source of electromagnetic radiation, said source being capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength, λ, greater than about 2 μm but less than or equal to about 11 μm; a device; and an optical fiber which transmits at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by said source toward said device, said fiber being single mode and characterized by an equivalent, step index, relative refractive index difference, Δ e , at said wavelength, λ, characterized in that said optical fiber includes material which is substantially transparent to said electromagnetic radiation of wavelength λ, said Δ e is chosen so that ##EQU13## and Δ.sub.e ≧0.391×10.sup.-4 λ.sup.2 -0.487×10.sup.-3 λ+0.411×10.sup.-2, and said fiber is dispersion shifted so that the total dispersion suffered by said electromagnetic radiation of wavelength λwithin said fiber is less than or equal to about 10 ps/km-nm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical system of claim 27 wherein said device includes an optical detector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The optical system of claim 27 wherein said device includes a sensor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical system of claim 27 wherein said Δ e is chosen so that ##EQU14##
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical system of claim 27 wherein said Δ e is chosen so that ##EQU15##
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
The optical system of claim 27 wherein said Δ e is chosen so that Δ.sub.e ≧-0.169×10.sup.-3 λ.sup.2 +0.154×10.sup.-2 λ+0.335×10.sup.-2, and said fiber is dispersion shifted so that the total dispersion suffered by said electromagnetic radiation of wavelength, λ within said fiber is less than or equal to about 1 ps/km-nm.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical system of claim 27 wherein said material includes a metal halide glass.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical system of claim 27 wherein said material includes a chalcogenide glass.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-29 | 1991-09-28 | 1992-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-29 | 1995-09-28 | 1996-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-29 | 1999-09-28 | 2000-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |