Patent · US Expired

Optical spectrum analyzer

US7253897B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
38References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 11, 2004
Grant dateAug 7, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 22, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04Q2011/0083
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) 10 sequentially or selectively samples (or filters) a spectral band(s) 11 of light from a broadband optical input signal 12 and measures predetermined optical parameters of the optical signal (e.g., spectral profile) of the input light 12. The OSA 10 is a free-space optical device that includes a collimator assembly 15, a diffraction grating 20 and a mirror 22. A launch pigtail emits into free space the input signal through the collimator assembly 15 and onto the diffraction grating 20, which separates or spreads spatially the collimated input light, and reflects the dispersed light onto the mirror 22. A λ/4 plate 26 is disposed between the mirror 22 and the diffraction grating 20. The mirror reflects the separated light back through the λ/4 plate 26 to the diffraction grating 20, which reflects the light back through the collimating lens 18. The lens 18 focuses spectral bands of light (λ1–λN) at different focal points in space. One of the spectral bands 11 is focused onto a receive pigtail 28, which then propagates to a photodetector 30. A pivoting mechanism 34 pivots the diffraction grating 20 or mirror 22 about a pivot point 36 to sequentially …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.