Tunable spectral filter
US6891676B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 10, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/29395
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical spectral filtering device and associated method for selectively directing a portion of a wavelength multiplexed input signal, entering through an optical fiber, into one or more output signals provided to one or more optical fibers and/or electronic outputs. The optical filtering is accomplished using free-space diffractive wavelength demultiplexing optics combined with a fixed (permanent) patterned structure located in the spectrally dispersed image plane. The structure can block or direct a selected spectral portion of the optical signal to one or more separate outputs, such as an optical fiber or power detector. A single active element in the optical path is used to spatially shift, or steer, the entire input spectrum at the dispersed spectral image plane, to control the portion of the input spectrum illuminating specific features on the permanent patterned structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.