Liquid crystal adaptive coupler for steering a light beam relative to a light-receiving end of an optical waveguide
US6832028B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/1392
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for optically coupling a light source with a light-receiving end face of an optical waveguide comprises a lens for focusing a light beam emitted from the light source at a focal point on the light-receiving end face of the optical waveguide. An adaptive coupler, positioned in the optical path, is responsive to a beam steering control signal for steering and aligning the focal point relative to the light-receiving end face of the optical waveguide. In one form, the adaptive coupler comprises a pair of transparent substrates having confronting, parallel inner faces, the inner face of one of the pair of substrates carrying a beam intercepting, optically transparent, constant potential electrode and the inner face of the other of the pair of substrates carrying an electrically resistive, beam intercepting, optically transparent film. A pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical contact with the film apply a linear voltage gradient along the film. An electro-optical phase shifting medium is disposed between the confronting inner faces of the substrates. The application of selected voltages to the electrodes creates a linear voltage gradient along the aforementioned film …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.