Method of index trimming a waveguide and apparatus formed of the same
US6768850B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12195
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of using a beam of ultra-short laser pulses, having pulse durations below 10 picoseconds, to adjust an optical characteristic within an optical medium is provided. The beams would have an intensity above a threshold for altering the index of refraction of a portion of the optical medium. The beams could be selectively applied to the optical medium and any structures formed or existing therein. Thus, the beam could be moved within a waveguide in the optical medium to alter the index of refraction of the waveguide forming any number of different longitudinal index of refraction profiles. The beam could also be moved within the optical medium near the waveguide to alter an effective index of refraction of a signal traveling within the waveguide. The techniques described can be used to improve, alter or correct performance of waveguide-based optical devices, such as arrayed waveguide gratings and cascaded planar waveguide interferometers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.