Dense wavelength division multiplexer utilizing an asymmetric pass band interferometer
US6310690A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2773
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an improvement in the separation mechanism to be used in a dense wavelength division multiplexer. The separation mechanism in accordance with the present invention includes an asymmetric pass band interferometer. The interferometer includes a first glass plate optically coupled to a second glass plate, forming a space therebetween; a first reflective coating with a first reflectivity residing inside the space and on the first glass plate; a second reflective coating with a second reflectivity residing inside the space and on the second glass plate; a first waveplate with a first optical retardance residing inside the space; and a second waveplate with a second optical retardance, optically coupled to the first glass plate and residing outside the space, where a combination of values for the first reflectivity, the first optical retardance, and the second optical retardance effect a separation of channels in at least one optical signal into at least two sets, and where the at least two sets have asymmetrically interleaved pass bands. The asymmetric pass band interferometer in accordance with the present invention is capable of separating channels from …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.