Optical interleaver
US6215923A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2746
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical interleaver having a deflection plate disposed along an optical path between two input/output ports. The interleaver generally comprises a first birefringent element optically coupled to at least two of the input/output ports, first and second polarization rotators, a wavelength filter, and a second birefringent element. The interleaver may be configured to operate as a multiplexer, a de-multiplexer, or a router. The interleaver may further comprise a collimator that couples two or more different optical signals to one of two or more optical fibers. A preferred embodiment includes a reflector that reflector reflects an optical signal back through the elements of the interleaver in reverse order to the input/output ports. This configuration reduces the number of components required for the interleaver and allows the use of shorter birefringent elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.