Apparatus and method for generating a mode-scrambled optical signal using a VCSEL array
US6801687B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/14
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for generating a mode-scrambled optical signal using a VCSEL array. An array of vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are employed to generate respective of optical signals comprising modulated laser beams that are optically coupled into an input end of a multimode fiber segment. In one embodiment, the optical signals are offset-launched into the multimode fiber. As the respective optical signals pass through the segment of multimode fiber, they are combined to produce a mode-scrambled optical signal having a substantially-filled numerical aperture that is emitted from the output end of the fiber. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the apparatus enables multiple optical beams having similar wavelengths to be combined to increase optical signal strength. In accordance with another aspect, one portion of the VCSELs may be initially activated, while another portion is used as spares that may be selectively activated to replace any activated VCSELs that fail.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.