Optical phase shifting, splitting and combining device
US6782147B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2843
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A Mach-Zehnder device including an input port, an output port, a substantially achromatic first coupling region optically connected to the input port and a substantially achromatic second coupling region optically connected to the output port. An intermediate region is optically connected to the first and second coupling regions. The intermediate region includes a first intermediate branch and a second intermediate branch. The first intermediate branch defines a phase shifting portion. The phase shifting portion, in turn, defines a phase shifting portion level of birefringence over the length of the phase shifting portion. The phase shifting portion level of birefringence is different that the level of birefringence prevailing over the remainder of the first intermediate branch. The birefringence differential between the phase shifting portion level of birefringence and the level of birefringence prevailing over the remainder of the first intermediate branch creates a polarization selective phase shift enabling the generally wavelength insensitive device to be used either as a coupler or splitter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.