Acousto-optic tunable filter with segmented acousto-optic interaction region
US6718076B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/585
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An acousto-optic tunable filter that includes a polarization beamsplitter, a multi-segment interaction region and a polarization beam combiner is described. The polarization beamsplitter generates a first and a second polarized optical signal. The multi-segment optical interaction region includes a first optical interaction region and a first acoustic wave generator that generates acoustic waves in the first optical interaction region. The multi-segment optical interaction region also includes a second optical interaction region that is non-collinear relative to the first optical interaction region and a second acoustic wave generator that generates acoustic waves in the second optical interaction region. Optical signals that are phase-matched to the acoustic waves are mode-converted in response to the acoustic waves. The acousto-optic tunable filter also includes a polarization beam combiner that generates both a mode-converted optical signal and a non-mode-converted optical signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.