High-isolation dense wavelength division multiplexer utilizing a polarization beam splitter, non-linear interferometers and birefringent plates
US6263129A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/29383
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a dense wavelength division multiplexer for separating an optical signal into optical channels. It includes at least one birefringent plate, and a polarization beam splitter optically coupled to the at least one birefringent plate, the polarization beam splitter and at least one birefringent plate for separating one or more of the plurality of optical channels by introducing a phase difference between at least two of the plurality of optical channels, where the separating is based on the polarity of the plurality of optical channels. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism of separating includes birefringent wedge plates, a polarization beam splitter and two non-linear interferometers, with the birefringent wedge plates disposed between the polarization beam splitter and the input and output paths. The present invention provides an ease in alignment and a higher tolerance to drifts due to the increase in the widths of the pass bands and also provides an improved separation of channels relative to other wavelength division multiplexers employing polarization beam splitters. It may also be easily modified to perform the add/drop function as it separate…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.