Multi-port optical device
US5799121A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2937
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical device is provided having an input and an output terminal spaced equidistant from an optical axis of a graded index lens. An at least partially reflective surface is disposed spaced but adjacent from another end face of the graded index lens. The optical path length from the input or output terminal to a first end face of the lens is equal to the optical path length from the other end face of the lens to the at least partially reflective surface. The graded index lens has a length that collimates light launched from the input terminal to the at least partially reflective surface. Moving the input an output terminals toward or away from one another changes the angle at which light exits the other end face of the graded index lens, and thus changes the angle at which light is incident upon the at least partially reflecting surface. Conveniently, if the at least partially reflecting surface is a WDM interference filter, tunability of the filter is achieved by moving the input an output terminals toward or away from one another.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.