Tunable optical filter having large diameter optical waveguide with bragg grating and being configured for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility thereof

US7062126B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Alan D. Kersey · Burke, US
• Mark R. Fernald · Enfield, US
• Timothy J. Bailey · Longmeadow, US
• Michael A. Davis · Redwood City, US
• Thomas Engel · Munich, DE
• Robert N. Brucato · Waterbury, US
• Richard T. Jones · Hamden, US
• Trevor MacDougall · South Dartmouth, US
• Matthew B. Miller · Glastonbury, US
• Paul E. Sanders · Madison, US
• James S. Sirkis · Wallingford, US
• James M. Sullivan · Manchester, US
• Martin A. Putnam · Cheshire, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 2, 2003
• Grant date: Jun 13, 2006
• Expiry date: Jun 21, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C03B2203/34
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A tunable optical filter has a large diameter cane waveguide with “side-holes” in the cane cross-section that reduce the force required to compress the large diameter optical waveguide without overly compromising the buckling strength thereof. The large diameter optical waveguide has a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, including at least one inner core, a Bragg grating arranged therein, a cladding surrounding the inner core, and a structural configuration for providing a reduced bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide. The structural configuration reduces the cross-sectional area of the large diameter optical waveguide. These side holes reduce the amount of glass that needs to be compressed, but retains the large diameter.