Thermally tunable optical devices
US6411746B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2201/307
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a tunable optical device 10 that includes an optical fiber device 12 having optical properties that vary with temperature and a heater 14. The heater 14 is thermally coupled to the optical fiber device 12. The heater 14 includes a metal layer 18 and two electrical contacts 20, 22 that are electrically connected to the metal layer 18. The electrical contacts 20, 22 are spaced apart from one another along the metal layer 18. The electrical resistance of the portion of the metal layer 18 between the contacts 20, 22 varies with temperature and serves as a resistive heater. The invention also includes a controller 16 that is electrically connected to the heater 14. The controller 16 provides electrical power to the heater 14 and measures the electrical voltage across the heater 14. The controller 16 compares the measured electrical voltage to a pre-selected reference value. The controller then regulates the amount of electrical current supplied to the heater 14. By regulating the amount of electrical current supplied to the heater 14 the temperature of the heater 14 is controlled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.