Cost-effective wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer
US6563976B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/32
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cost-effective wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer for use in optical communication consists of three modules, including a fiber array, a lens array and a filter array/reflector. Each array is made in wafer level with very precise position control and is bonded to an adjacent wafer by conventional wafer bonding techniques. In addition to eliminating the need for active alignment in the manufacturing process of a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) transceiver, the invention reduces the footprint of such a device to the order of a few millimeters and the process is suitable for low-cost, large quantity manufacturing. The fiber array is connected to the light sources, which optimally are fiber pig-tailed semiconductor lasers to enable repeatable and accurate placement in reference to the lens array. The input lenses are used to collimate the beams such that light traveling from them at an angle will zigzag between the reflector and the bandpass filters of the filter array/reflector combination. In the multiplexer configuration, an output lens is used to focus and couple the beams from each different laser into a fiber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.