Optical coupler device for dense wavelength division multiplexing
US6215924A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2938
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical coupler device is provided with gradient index first and second lenses, with each lens having an outer endface with one or more ports at a predetermined location defined by a waveguide such as an optical fiber. A narrow bandpass optical filter is disposed between inner endfaces of the first and second lenses. In one embodiment, the second lens is in coaxial mechanical alignment with the first lens so as to have a common optical axis. An input waveguide and an optional reflection waveguide are disposed on the outer endface of the first lens on opposite sides of the optical axis. A transmission waveguide is disposed on one side of the outer endface of the second lens and is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the optical axis in order to compensate for a previously unrecognized lateral beam displacement caused by the optical filter. In other embodiments, the input waveguide and optional reflection waveguide are angled, or the optical axis of the second lens is laterally offset from the optical axis of the first lens, to compensate for the lateral beam displacement and thereby improve coupling efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.