External grating structures for interfacing wavelength-division-multiplexed optical sources with thin optical waveguides
US7003196B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/29311
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A coupling arrangement for allowing multiple wavelengths to be coupled into and out of a relatively thin silicon optical waveguide layer utilizes a diffractive optical element, in the form of a volume phase grating, in combination with a prism coupling structure. The diffractive optical element is formed to comprise a predetermined modulation index sufficient to diffract the various wavelengths through angles associated with improving the coupling efficiency of each wavelength into the silicon waveguide. The diffractive optical element may be formed as a separate element, or formed as an integral part of the coupling facet of the prism coupler.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.