N-port reconfigurable DWDM multiplexer and demultiplexer
US6137927A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/29358
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An N-port optical wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer includes two evanescent wave couplers connected by N optical paths. Each of the optical paths includes wavelength-selecting elements that are used to select specific wavelengths of light. Light signals composed of N wavelengths of light introduced to an exterior port in one of the couplers are split substantially equally among all the optical paths within the coupler, so that each optical path exiting the coupler includes light of all the wavelengths initially introduced to the coupler. The wavelength selecting elements disposed on each optical path are situated to direct the light in a manner such that light of only the selected wavelengths interferes constructively at a given exterior coupler port and other wavelengths interfere destructively. Consequently, optical signals composed of N wavelengths may be demultiplexed such that N optical paths carry light having one wavelength. Conversely, N optical paths carrying light signals having only one wavelength can be multiplexed into a signal having wavelengths .lambda..sub.1, .lambda..sub.2, . . . .lambda..sub.N. The multiplexed signal is then coupled into up to M+O …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.