Patent · US Expired

Variable blazed grating based signal processing

US6721473B1 · kind B1 · utility

16Cited by
32References
65Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 2, 2001
Grant dateApr 13, 2004
Priority date—
Expiry dateSep 7, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/2932
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, an optical switching element includes a variable blazed grating operable to receive and reflect one or more input signals while the grating remains in a first position and to receive and diffract one or more input signals while the grating remains in a second position. The switching element further includes a first circulator operable to receive from the variable blazed grating a first output signal traveling approximately along the path of an input signal to the grating but in an approximately opposite direction to that input signal, and to redirect the first output signal from the path of the input signal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.