Photothermal optical switch and variable attenuator
US6493478B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/48
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical device which utilizes a photothermal optical effect to achieve switching or attenuation includes a waveguide defined by a waveguide core and a surrounding cladding, wherein the polymer waveguide core includes a region consisting of a photothermally responsive material having an absorption coefficient at a switch wavelength or attenuation wavelength that is higher than an absorption coefficient at a signal wavelength. Switching devices include an optical splitter circuit having a branch that includes the photothermally responsive material, and either a multiplexer for introducing light at the switch wavelength into the optical circuit or a light source focused at the photothermally responsive material. Attenuating devices include a Mach-Zehnder type interferometer having a branch that includes the photothermally responsive material and either a multiplexer for introducing light at the attenuation wavelength into the optical circuit or a light source focused at the photothermally responsive material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.