US4229067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical waveguide mode scrambler
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1978-11-17
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Granted: 1980-10-21
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Expires: 1998-11-17
Abstract
Abstract An optical waveguide mode scrambler including a length of high-alpha optical waveguide optically coupled to a length of low-alpha optical waveguide which provides efficient spatial and angular mixing of light propagating therethrough is described.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter F. Love
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/14; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/25; H04B10/2581
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
An article of manufacture which includes a high-alpha optical waveguide spliced to a low-alpha optical waveguide, the length of the low-alpha optical waveguide being at least sufficient to obtain angular diffusion of light launched therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
An article of manufacture which includes a high-alpha optical waveguide spliced to a low-alpha optical waveguide, the length of the low-alpha optical waveguide being at least sufficient to obtain angular diffusion of light launched therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical waveguide mode scrambler which includes a section of high-alpha optical waveguide optically coupled to a section of low-alpha optical waveguide, the length of the high-alpha waveguide being at least sufficient to provide spatial diffusion of light launched into the waveguide, and the length of low-alpha waveguide being at least sufficient to obtain angular diffusion of light launched into the waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical waveguide mode scrambler which includes a section of high-alpha optical waveguide optically coupled to a section of low-alpha optical waveguide, the length of the high-alpha waveguide being at least sufficient to provide spatial diffusion of light launched into the waveguide, and the length of low-alpha waveguide being at least sufficient to obtain angular diffusion of light launched into the waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical waveguide mode scrambler in accordance with claim 2, wherein the high-alpha optical waveguide is a step-index waveguide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical waveguide mode scrambler in accordance with claim 2, wherein the low-alpha optical waveguide is a graded index waveguide having an alpha value of about 2.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
An optical waveguide mode scrambler which includes at least three optically coupled sections of multimode optical waveguide, including a central section of low-alpha optical waveguide having a length at least sufficient to provide spatial diffusion of light launched therein, and first and second terminal sections of high-alpha optical waveguide spliced, respectively, to first and second ends of said low-alpha optical waveguide, said first and second terminal sections having lengths at least sufficient to provide angular diffusion of light launched therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
An optical waveguide mode scrambler which includes at least three optically coupled sections of multimode optical waveguide, including a central section of low-alpha optical waveguide having a length at least sufficient to provide spatial diffusion of light launched therein, and first and second terminal sections of high-alpha optical waveguide spliced, respectively, to first and second ends of said low-alpha optical waveguide, said first and second terminal sections having lengths at least sufficient to provide angular diffusion of light launched therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical waveguide mode scrambler in accordance with claim 5 wherein the high-alpha optical waveguide is step-index optical waveguide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical waveguide mode scrambler in accordance with claim 5, wherein the sections of optical waveguide have lengths on the order of 1 meter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A full-mode light launching assembly for optical waveguide testing which comprises a light source optically coupled to a mode scrambler, wherein the mode scrambler includes a section of high-alpha multimode optical waveguide optically coupled to a section of low-alpha multimode optical waveguide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A full-mode light launching assembly for optical waveguide testing which comprises a light source optically coupled to a mode scrambler, wherein the mode scrambler includes a section of high-alpha multimode optical waveguide optically coupled to a section of low-alpha multimode optical waveguide.
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) | 1983-10-21 | 1984-04-21 | 1984-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-21 | 1988-04-21 | 1988-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-21 | 1992-04-21 | 1992-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |