US3976356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical dielectric waveguides
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-09-03
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1994-09-03
Abstract
Abstract An optical dielectric waveguide comprises a track made of a low loss material disposed in the form of a helix. Information in the form of a modulated light can be transmitted along said track. Preferably said substance is silica.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Charles Lloyd Jenkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/02214; G02B6/10; G02B6/14; G02B6/02057; G02B6/02076; G02B6/0208; G02B6/02085; G02B2006/0209
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An optical fiber for guiding optical electromagnetic wave energy comprising a unitary optically transparent structure characterized by a centrally disposed elongated filament having a longitudinal axis, and at least one helicoidal surface ridge surrounding said filament and extending helically along said axis, the cross-sectional dimensions and helical period p of said ridge being such that said optical wave energy can be propagated in at least one guided mode therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An optical fiber for guiding optical electromagnetic wave energy comprising a unitary optically transparent structure characterized by a centrally disposed elongated filament having a longitudinal axis, and at least one helicoidal surface ridge surrounding said filament and extending helically along said axis, the cross-sectional dimensions and helical period p of said ridge being such that said optical wave energy can be propagated in at least one guided mode therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical dielectric waveguide having a longitudinal axis and comprising a track of a low loss material, said track being disposed in the form of a helix circumscribing said longitudinal axis whereby energy propagated through the waveguide is constrained to propagate along said track by centripetal action.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical dielectric waveguide having a longitudinal axis and comprising a track of a low loss material, said track being disposed in the form of a helix circumscribing said longitudinal axis whereby energy propagated through the waveguide is constrained to propagate along said track by centripetal action.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A waveguide according to claim 2 wherein the helix has a pitch angle in the range of 70° to 87°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
A waveguide according to claim 2 wherein said material is homogeneous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A waveguide according to claim 2 wherein said material is pure silica.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A waveguide according to claim 2 comprising a plurality of said tracks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A waveguide according to claim 2 wherein said track is disposed adjacent to an outer peripheral edge of a helical member of said material, said edge being formed where two surfaces of said member meet at an angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A waveguide according to claim 7 wherein said angle is about 90°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A waveguide according to claim 7 dimensioned to propagate substantially only a single mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A waveguide according to claim 7 incorporating a mode filter and mode expander.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A waveguide according to claim 2 wherein said track is disposed between two substantially parallel surfaces terminated by a third surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A waveguide according to claim 11 wherein said third surface is substantially perpendicular to said two substantially parallel surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A waveguide according to claim 11 wherein the distance between said two substantially parallel surfaces is such that the standard deviations of the intensity distribution of the two lowest modes in any two directions perpendicular to the direction of propagation are substantially equal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A waveguide according to claim 11 wherein the distance between said two substantially parallel surfaces is such that the mode dispersion of the two lowest modes substantially cancels the material dispersion of said low loss material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber of claim 1 in which said filament and said helicoidal surface ridge are formed of the same optically transparent material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical fiber of claim 1 in which said filament has an essentially circular cross-section of radius r at least an order of magnitude greater than the wavelength of the optical wave energy to be propagated through said ridge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical fiber of claim 16 in which the helical period p of said ridge is in the range of 17 to 120 times the radius r of said filament.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The optical fiber of claim 1 including a plurality of helicoidal surface ridges spaced apart about the exterior surface of said filament, the spacing c between any two adjacent surface ridges being at least twice the cross-sectional width a of each of said ridges.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber of claim 15 in which said optically transparent material is fused silica.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |