Folded waveguide optical devices
US6731841B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12176
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optical apparatus for combining and splitting optical signals using folded waveguides and method for making the same are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, at least one waveguide used in the optical apparatus is folded around according to a predefined curve to couple to other waveguides. The predefined curve is so designed as to minimize possible insertion loss as a result of such folding of the waveguide. The proper folding of the waveguide leads to modified designs of the optical devices with all the ports on one side so as to simplify the alignment procedures afterward. In addition, the optical device according to the present invention has much smaller footprint and makes it possible to increase higher yield from fabricating substrate material on which the waveguides are formed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.