Integrated multi-wavelength transmitter
US5946331A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 15, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 15, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/4087
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An integrated multi-wavelength transmitter, particularly useful in a wavelength-division multiplexed optical communications system. An arrayed waveguide grating has feedback channels between two coupling regions and is constructed such that, at each coupling region, one port carries all the optical signals of differing wavelengths while a set of other ports carry wavelength-separated signals. The multi-wavelength signal from a first coupling region is reflected from a mirrored surface back into the first coupling region and the arrayed waveguide grating, the mirrored surface thus forming one end of an optical cavity. Similar elements are arranged between corresponding single-wavelength ports of the two regions. The channel from the second coupling region is split into two parts. One part is passed through an optical gain region and is reflected back from the mirrored surface through the power splitter, now acting as a combiner. This reflection from the mirrored surface forms the second end of the optical cavity containing the gain region and provides laser operation at a single wavelength. The second part of the single-wavelength laser power from the second coupling region passes t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.