Broadband waveguide based optical coupler

US9411104B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Infinera Corp. · US

Inventors

• Joseph Andrew Summers · Seattle, US
• Peter W. Evans · Tracy, US
• Pavel Studenkov · Cupertino, US
• Mark J. Missey · San Jose, US
• Mehrdad Ziari · Pleasanton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2014
• Grant date: Aug 9, 2016
• Expiry date: Feb 6, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/14
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus having a first waveguide, a second waveguide, a third waveguide, a fourth waveguide, and a fifth waveguide is described. A symmetric coupler has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the symmetric coupler is coupled to and in optical communication with the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The distal end of the symmetric coupler is coupled to and in optical communication with the fourth waveguide. An asymmetric coupler has a proximal end and a distal end. The asymmetric coupler is in a cascaded configuration with the symmetric coupler. The cascaded configuration has the proximal end of the asymmetric coupler coupled to and in optical communication with the fourth waveguide and the third waveguide. The distal end of the asymmetric coupler is coupled to and in optical communication with the fifth waveguide.