Guided wave spatial filter
US7174080B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12178
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention concerns a guided wave spatial filter (300) for receiving input radiation and outputting corresponding filtered output radiation, the filter comprising first and second waveguide sections (30, L3, L5) connected in series, the sections: (a) mutually matched for transmitting fundamental mode radiation components present in the input radiation therethrough to provide the output radiation; and (b) mutually mismatched for hindering higher-order mode radiation components present in the input radiation from propagating therethrough and contributing to the output radiation. The spatial filter (300) is implemented using rib waveguides (30) for the sections with associated relatively deeply and relatively shallowly etched structures (20, 310, 320) for imparting to the sections their radiation mode filtration characteristics. The spatial filter according to the invention can be incorporated into optical splitters and optical modulators to enhance their performance and desensitise them to higher-order mode radiation injected thereinto.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.