US3908121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer
Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-20
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer is described wherein a plurality of laser elements are disposed in a parallel arrangement and are tuned individually to a distinct optical wavelength within the lasing bandwidth of the laser elements. The laser elements are formed of a material exhibiting a wide potential lasing bandwidth and may be pumped from a common laser source. A preferred embodiment of frequency-division multiplexer is formed as a single integrated optical device which also includes an optical pumping waveguide, which couples the pumping source to the individual laser elements, as well as individual optical modulators and an optical waveguide in which the modulated outputs from the individual laser elements are combined.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie A Riseberg
- 👤 Harold Samelson
- 👤 Alexander Lempicki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer for generating a plurality of individual optical signals at a like plurality of distinct wavelengths comprising a substrate which is formed from a first rigid dielectric material having a first index of refraction and which has a planar surface thereon, a plurality of longitudinally extended optical waveguide paths being disposed on the planar surface of the substrate, the optical waveguide paths being formed of a thin layer of a second dielectric material having a second index of refraction which is greater than the first index of refraction, at least a portion of the length of each optical waveguide path having a dye dispersed uniformly therein which dye is capable of emitting stimulated radiation over a wide spectrum of optical wavelengths, means for defining a resonator in that portion of each optical waveguide path wherein the dye is dispersed uniformly, the resonator being resonant and providing an output at a particular wavelength within the wide spectrum, each of the plurality of particular wavelengths being different, means for pumping the dye within each of the resonators with suitable energy to excite the dye molecules above their threshold emission level, means for individually modulating each of the plurality of outputs, and means for combining the plurality of outputs to form a frequency-division multiplexed, individually modulated output signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer for generating a plurality of individual optical signals at a like plurality of distinct wavelengths comprising a substrate which is formed from a first rigid dielectric material having a first index of refraction and which has a planar surface thereon, a plurality of longitudinally extended optical waveguide paths being disposed on the planar surface of the substrate, the optical waveguide paths being formed of a thin layer of a second dielectric material having a second index of refraction which is greater than the first index of refraction, at least a portion of the length of each optical waveguide path having a dye dispersed uniformly therein which dye is capable of emitting stimulated radiation over a wide spectrum of optical wavelengths, means for defining a resonator in that portion of each optical waveguide path wherein the dye is dispersed uniformly, the resonator being resonant and providing an output at a particular wavelength within the wide spectrum, each of the plurality of particular wavelengths being different, means for pumping the dye within each of the resonators with suitable energy to excite the dye molecules above their threshold emission level, means for individually modulating each of the plurality of outputs, and means for combining the plurality of outputs to form a frequency-division multiplexed, individually modulated output signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide paths are formed of a dye impregnated in a solid organic medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer according to claim 2, wherein the dye is rhodamine 6G.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer according to claim 2, wherein the reflective elements of the resonators are Lippman-Bragg holograms formed in the optical waveguide paths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer according to claim 4, wherein the reflective elements in the resonators are long continuous Lippman-Bragg holograms providing distributive feedback for an optical wave.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer according to claim 2, wherein the optical waveguide paths are defined in a thin layer of the solid organic medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer according to claim 6, wherein the solid organic medium is selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(acrylonitrile), poly(styrene), and poly (methyl methacrylate).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer according to claim 7, wherein the solid organic medium is poly(methyl methacrylate).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer according to claim 1, wherein said pumping means comprises an input optical pumping waveguide path being formed of a third dielectric material which is transparent to said suitable energy, an input coupler for coupling said suitable energy into the input optical pumping waveguide path, and means for coupling the energy from the input optical pumping waveguide path into the plurality of longitudinally extended optical waveguide paths so that the dye in the resonators is pumped longitudinally.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An integrated optical frequency-division multiplexer according to claim 9, wherein the suitable energy is an output laseR pulse of a frequency within the absorption band of the dye from a mode-locked laser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3589794A
Cited
US3676684A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |