Optical add/drop multiplexers
US7373046B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J14/06
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A spectrally selective optical coupler is disclosed, comprising a first and a second waveguide; an external resonator defined by at least a first and a second mirror; and a respective deflecting portion in each of said waveguides for coupling light between the waveguide and the external resonator. The waveguides are arranged between the mirrors adjacent to each other in a plane that is generally parallel to said mirrors; and the external resonator is designed such that a resonant mode within the external resonator overlaps the deflecting portion in the first and the second waveguide. The inventive coupler solves some limiting geometrical problems encountered in the prior art. A lateral extension of a mode in the external resonator overlapping both waveguides is obtained using a curved resonator mirror or refractive elements or portions within the resonator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.