US6296361B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical apparatus which uses a virtually imaged phased array to produced chromatic dispersion
Assignee: Ii Vi Optical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1999-12-14
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Granted: 2001-10-02
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Expires: 2019-12-14
Abstract
Abstract An optical apparatus for producing chromatic dispersion. The apparatus includes a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator, a mirror and a lens. The VIPA generator receives an input light at a respective wavelength and produces a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light, the output light thereby being spatially distinguishable from an output light produced for an input light at a different wavelength. The mirror has a cone shape, or a modified cone shape. The lens focuses the output light traveling from the VIPA generator onto the mirror so that the mirror reflects the output light. The reflected light is directed by the lens back to the VIPA generator. In this manner, the apparatus provides chromatic dispersion to the input light. The modified cone shape of the mirror can be designed so that the apparatus provides a uniform chromatic dispersion to light in the same channel of a wavelength division multiplexed light. The mirror can be moved in a direction perpendicular to an angular dispersion direction of the VIPA generator, to change the amount of chromatic dispersion provided to the input light.
Inventors
- 👤 Masataka Shirasaki
- 👤 Simon Cao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:19
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/10; G02B27/14; G02B27/144; G02B27/0087; G02B27/1006; G02B27/106; G02B27/1073; G02B27/1086; G02B27/12; G02B27/126; G02B27/145; G02B27/148; G02B27/50; G02B27/52; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29346; G02B6/29358; G02B6/29379; G02B6/29392; G02B6/29394; G02B6/29395; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/25; H04B10/2507; H04B10/2513; H04B10/25133; G02B6/29304; G02B6/29305; G02B6/29311; G02B6/29361
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; and a reflecting surface reflecting the output light back to the VIPA generator, the reflecting surface having different curvatures at different positions along a direction perpendicular to a plane which includes the traveling directions of collimated output light from the VIPA generator for input light at different wavelengths, wherein the reflecting surface has a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; and a reflecting surface reflecting the output light back to the VIPA generator, the reflecting surface having different curvatures at different positions along a direction perpendicular to a plane which includes the traveling directions of collimated output light from the VIPA generator for input light at different wavelengths, wherein the reflecting surface has a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising: one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror focusing the output light traveling from the VIPA generator onto the reflecting surface so that the reflecting surface reflects the output light, the reflected light being directed by said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror back to the VIPA generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror is a lens, the reflecting surface being movable in or around a focal plane of the lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror is a lens, the reflecting surface touching a focal plane of the lens along a line which is in the focal plane and is perpendicular to the light traveling directions of the collimated output light from the VIPA.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 , further comprising: an angular dispersive element between the VIPA generator and said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror, the angular dispersive element having an angular dispersion direction which is perpendicular to said plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 , wherein the angular dispersive element is one of the group consisting of a transmission type diffraction grating, a reflection type diffraction grating and a holographic grating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 6 , wherein the reflecting surface is movable in the direction of said line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the input light received by the VIPA generator has a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising: means for causing the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising: at least one phase mask causing the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising: a fiber providing the input light to the VIPA generator; and at least one phase mask on the fiber to cause the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising: at least one phase mask on a surface of the VIPA generator to cause the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the input light is a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light having a plurality of channels, each channel having an amount of chromatic dispersion corresponding to wavelength and due to traveling through a transmission line, and parameters of the reflecting surface cause the apparatus to provide chromatic dispersion to each channel in the same amount but opposite sign to that due to traveling through the transmission line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the input light has an associated loss curve, and the apparatus further comprises an excess loss component adding loss to the input light to flatten the loss curve.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; and a reflecting surface, having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape, reflecting the output light back to the VIPA generator.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; and a reflecting surface, having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape, reflecting the output light back to the VIPA generator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 , further comprising: one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror directing the output light traveling from the VIPA generator onto the reflecting surface so that the reflecting surface reflects the output light, the reflected light being directed by said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror back to the VIPA generator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as in claim 16 , wherein said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror is a lens, the reflecting surface being movable in or around a focal plane of the lens.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as in claim 16 , wherein said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror is a lens, the reflecting surface touching a focal plane of the lens along a line which is in the focal plane and is perpendicular to the light traveling directions of the collimated output light from the VIPA.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 18 , wherein the reflecting surface is movable in the direction of said line.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as in claim 16 , further comprising: an angular dispersive element between the VIPA generator and said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror, the angular dispersive element having an angular dispersion direction which is perpendicular to said plane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as in claim 20 , wherein the angular dispersive element is one of the group consisting of a transmission type diffraction grating, a reflection type diffraction grating and a holographic grating.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 , wherein the input light received by the VIPA generator has a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 , further comprising: means for causing the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 , further comprising: at least one phase mask causing the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 , further comprising: a fiber providing the input light to the VIPA generator; and at least one phase mask on the fiber to cause the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 , further comprising: at least one phase mask on a surface of the VIPA generator to cause the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 , wherein the input light is a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light having a plurality of channels, each channel having an amount of chromatic dispersion corresponding to wavelength and due to traveling through a transmission line, and parameters of the reflecting surface cause the apparatus to provide chromatic dispersion to each channel in the same amount but opposite sign to that due to traveling through the transmission line.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 , wherein the input light has an associated loss curve, and the apparatus further comprises an excess loss component adding loss to the input light to flatten the loss curve.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; a reflecting surface; and a lens focusing the output light traveling from the VIPA generator onto the reflecting surface so that the reflecting surface reflects the output light, the reflected light being directed by the lens back to the VIPA generator to thereby provide dispersion to the input light, the reflecting surface touching a focal plane of the lens along a line which is in the focal plane and is perpendicular to the light traveling directions of the collimated output light from the VIPA generator, the reflecting surface being movable in a direction of said line, having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and modified cone shape and being positioned so that movement of the reflecting surface in the direction of said line causes an amount of dispersion provided to the input light to change.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; a reflecting surface; and a lens focusing the output light traveling from the VIPA generator onto the reflecting surface so that the reflecting surface reflects the output light, the reflected light being directed by the lens back to the VIPA generator to thereby provide dispersion to the input light, the reflecting surface touching a focal plane of the lens along a line which is in the focal plane and is perpendicular to the light traveling directions of the collimated output light from the VIPA generator, the reflecting surface being movable in a direction of said line, having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and modified cone shape and being positioned so that movement of the reflecting surface in the direction of said line causes an amount of dispersion provided to the input light to change.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as in claim 29 , further comprising: an angular dispersive element between the VIPA generator and the lens, the angular dispersive element having an angular dispersion direction which is perpendicular to the traveling directions of the collimated output light from the VIPA generator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 , wherein the angular dispersive element is one of the group consisting of a transmission type diffraction grating, a reflection type diffraction grating and a holographic grating.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as in claim 29 , wherein the input light received by the VIPA generator has a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 29 , further comprising: means for causing the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as in claim 29 , further comprising: at least one phase mask causing the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as in claim 29 , further comprising: a fiber providing the input light to the VIPA generator; and at least one phase mask on the fiber to cause the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as in claim 29 , further comprising: at least one phase mask on a surface of the VIPA generator to cause the input light received by the VIPA generator to have a double-hump shaped far field distribution.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as in claim 29 , wherein the input light is a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light having a plurality of channels, each channel having an amount of chromatic dispersion corresponding to wavelength and due to traveling through a transmission line, and parameters of the reflecting surface cause the apparatus to provide chromatic dispersion to each channel in the same amount but opposite sign to that due to traveling through the transmission line.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as in claim 29 , wherein the input light has an associated loss curve, and the apparatus further comprises an excess loss component adding loss to the input light to flatten the loss curve.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; a reflecting surface having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone and a modified cone shape; and means for using the reflecting surface to reflect the output light back to the VIPA generator to provide dispersion to the input light.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; a reflecting surface having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone and a modified cone shape; and means for using the reflecting surface to reflect the output light back to the VIPA generator to provide dispersion to the input light.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; a reflecting surface, having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape, reflecting the output light back to the VIPA generator to thereby cause an amount of dispersion to be provided to the input light; and means for positioned and moving the reflecting surface so that movement of the reflecting surface causes the amount of dispersion provided to the input light to change.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus comprising: a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator receiving an input light at a respective wavelength and producing a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light; a reflecting surface, having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape, reflecting the output light back to the VIPA generator to thereby cause an amount of dispersion to be provided to the input light; and means for positioned and moving the reflecting surface so that movement of the reflecting surface causes the amount of dispersion provided to the input light to change.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus comprising: first and second surfaces in parallel with each other, the first surface having a reflectivity which allows substantially no light to pass therethrough, the second surface having a reflectivity which causes a portion of light incident thereon to be transmitted therethrough; a radiation window in the same plane as the first surface, wherein an input light at a respective wavelength passes through the radiation window to be focused into a line between the first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces being positioned so that the input light travels from the line and is then reflected a plurality of times between the first and second surfaces to cause a plurality of lights to be transmitted through the second surface, the plurality of transmitted lights interfering with each other to produce a collimated output light which is angularly dispersed from the second surface in accordance with the wavelength of the input light; and a reflecting surface, having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape, reflecting the output light back to second surface so that the reflected light passes through the second surface and then undergoes reflection between the first and second surfaces, to thereby provide dispersion to the input light.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus comprising: first and second surfaces in parallel with each other, the first surface having a reflectivity which allows substantially no light to pass therethrough, the second surface having a reflectivity which causes a portion of light incident thereon to be transmitted therethrough; a radiation window in the same plane as the first surface, wherein an input light at a respective wavelength passes through the radiation window to be focused into a line between the first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces being positioned so that the input light travels from the line and is then reflected a plurality of times between the first and second surfaces to cause a plurality of lights to be transmitted through the second surface, the plurality of transmitted lights interfering with each other to produce a collimated output light which is angularly dispersed from the second surface in accordance with the wavelength of the input light; and a reflecting surface, having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape, reflecting the output light back to second surface so that the reflected light passes through the second surface and then undergoes reflection between the first and second surfaces, to thereby provide dispersion to the input light.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
262 words
An apparatus comprising: first and second surfaces in parallel with each other, the first surface having a reflectivity which allows substantially no light to pass therethrough, the second surface having a reflectivity which causes a portion of light incident thereon to be transmitted therethrough; a radiation window in the same plane as the first surface, wherein an input light at a respective wavelength passes through the radiation window to be focused into a line between the first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces being positioned so that the input light travels from the line and is then reflected a plurality of times between the first and second surfaces to cause a plurality of lights to be transmitted through the second surface, the plurality of transmitted lights interfering with each other to produce at collimated output light which is angularly dispersed from the second surface in accordance with the wavelength of the input light; a reflecting surface having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape; and one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror directing the output light dispersed from the second surface to the reflecting surface so that the reflecting surface reflects the output light, the reflected light being directed by said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror back to the second surface so that the reflected light passes through the second surface and then undergoes reflection between the first and second surfaces, to thereby provide dispersion to the input light.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
262 words
An apparatus comprising: first and second surfaces in parallel with each other, the first surface having a reflectivity which allows substantially no light to pass therethrough, the second surface having a reflectivity which causes a portion of light incident thereon to be transmitted therethrough; a radiation window in the same plane as the first surface, wherein an input light at a respective wavelength passes through the radiation window to be focused into a line between the first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces being positioned so that the input light travels from the line and is then reflected a plurality of times between the first and second surfaces to cause a plurality of lights to be transmitted through the second surface, the plurality of transmitted lights interfering with each other to produce at collimated output light which is angularly dispersed from the second surface in accordance with the wavelength of the input light; a reflecting surface having a shape which is one of the group consisting of a cone shape and a modified cone shape; and one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror directing the output light dispersed from the second surface to the reflecting surface so that the reflecting surface reflects the output light, the reflected light being directed by said one of the group consisting of a lens and a mirror back to the second surface so that the reflected light passes through the second surface and then undergoes reflection between the first and second surfaces, to thereby provide dispersion to the input light.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-10-01 | 2005-04-02 | 2005-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-01 | 2009-04-02 | 2009-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-01 | 2013-04-02 | 2013-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |