Virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) having a varying reflectivity surface to improve beam profile
US6028706A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/25133
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) operating as a wavelength splitter to separate individual carriers from a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light. The VIPA has first and second surfaces. The second surface has a reflectivity which causes a portion of light incident thereon to be transmitted therethrough. The VIPA receives an input light at a respective wavelength within a continuous range of wavelengths. The first and second surfaces are positioned so that the input light is reflected a plurality of times between the first and second surfaces to cause a plurality of lights to be transmitted through the second surface. The plurality of transmitted lights interfere with each other to produce an output light which is spatially distinguishable from an output light produced for an input light having any other wavelength within the continuous range of wavelengths. The reflectivity of the second surface varies along the second surface so that the output light has a desired beam profile, such as an approximately symmetric beam profile, along the second surface. A phase adjustment buffer layer can be provided to cause the lights reflected from the second surface to the first surf…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.