Optical device for splitting up a multi-wavelength light beam
US6088496A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/29329
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical device for splitting up a multi-wavelength light beam into a plurality of individual beams, each comprising light of a different wavelength or a narrow beam of wavelengths. The optical device includes an optical grating and an optical system for directing the incident beam onto the optical grating. The incident beam is divided into two portions, and one portion is directed onto the grating in one direction, while the other portion is directed onto the grating along an opposite direction. Preferably the grating is formed in two parts and one beam portion is directed through the two grating parts in succession in one direction while the other beam portion is directed through the two grating parts in succession along an opposite direction. A common mirror may be used to direct light towards the grating and to receive light returning from the grating. The device may also be used as a multiplexer by reversing the direction of light transmitted through the device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.