Tunable periodic filter
US6370286B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2773
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A polarization-interferometry based tunable periodic filter includes polarization defining components such as polarizing beam splitters or polarizing beam displacers located on the input and output sides of a phase retarder such as a birefringent crystal. A polarization independent input consisting of multiple optical channels having a periodic frequency spacing is converted to a branched output of optical channels in which each branch has a periodic frequency spacing that is different from that of the input, and which are interleaved with each other. The output period is tunable by adjusting the phase delay of orthogonal polarization components. A contrast ratio of ≧20 dB can be realized. The device allows the mux/demux of up to 200 WDM channels with a 50 GHz frequency spacing. Applications of the device include a band splitter, a wavelength selective cross-connect, and a wavelength monitor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.