Patent · US Expired

MxO multiplex demultiplex component

US5636300A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
14References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 12, 1994
Grant dateJun 3, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 12, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/12011
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An M.times.O multiplex/demultiplex device is disclosed. An M.times.N coupler is connected to an N.times.O coupler by phase shifting means. The phase shifting means provide N paths between the couplers, each path having an optical path length different from every other optical path length. The coupling region of the M.times.N coupler must provide for substantially uniform division of light power among the coupler branches when M are the launch ports. Similarly, the coupling region of the N.times.O coupler must provide for substantially uniform division of light power among the coupler branches when O are the launch ports. A preferred embodiment includes two fused waveguide fiber couplers with dissimilar waveguide fibers used as the phase shifting means.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.