Optical frequency channel selection filter with electronically-controlled grating structures
US5781670A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/055
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optical energy transfer devices and energy guiding devices use an electric field to control energy propagation using a class of poled structures in solid material in channel dropping filter and splitter applications. The poled structures, which may form gratings in thin film or bulk configurations, may be combined with waveguide structures. Electric fields applied to the poled structures control routing of optical energy. In a particular embodiment, an electrode confronts a solid material and bridges at least two elements of a grating disposed transverse of two waveguide segments and overlaps evanescent fields of optical energy in one of the waveguide segments. A switchable grating consists of a poled material with an alternating domain structure of specific period. In a further embodiment there may be an optically active cladding between a grating and a waveguide. Additional electrodes may be provided for independent tuning of the cladding and the grating structure. When an electric field is applied across the periodic structure, a Bragg grating is formed by the electro-optic effect, reflecting optical radiation with a certain bandwidth around a center wavelength. The grating may …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.