Patent · US Expired

Variable period amplitude grating mask and method for use

US5857043A · kind A · utility

71Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 18, 1997
Grant dateJan 5, 1999
Priority date—
Expiry dateJun 18, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/02138
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A variable period amplitude grating mask for use in making a long period Bragg grating is realized by a helically coiled spring. Stretching or compressing the spring changes the periodicity of the mask. A photosensitive optical waveguide, planar or fiber, is positioned within the spring coils along the major axis of the spring. Actinic radiation is incident on the masked waveguide, and induces an index perturbation in the waveguide having the periodicity of the mask. Different spring coil sizes and/or orientation of the waveguide with respect to the mask provide linear and nonlinear (chirped) grating periods. A device and method are described.

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