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US4575180A
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Intrawaveguide fiber optic beamsplitter/coupler
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1983-08-15
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Granted: 1986-03-11
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Expires: 2003-08-15
Abstract
Abstract An intrawaveguide fiber optic beamsplitter/coupler and method is enclosed and claimed in which an oriented slot is formed in an intact optical fiber whereby the internal slot functions to divide and direct light along desired paths.
Inventors
- 👤 David B. Chang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2817; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of making an optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler in which orientation and width of an internal slot determines branching ratio comprising the steps of forming an internal oriented slot in an intact, cladded optical waveguide and using said slot to divide, combine, and direct light beams along desired paths.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of making an optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler in which orientation and width of an internal slot determines branching ratio comprising the steps of forming an internal oriented slot in an intact, cladded optical waveguide and using said slot to divide, combine, and direct light beams along desired paths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the step of forming an oriented slot comprises micromachining the optical waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the step of micromachining comprises micromachining by a physical process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the step of micromachining comprises micromachining by a chemical process.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the step of micromachining comprises micromachining by a combined physical and chemical process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the micromachining involves photon irradiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the micromachining involves reactive particle beam etching.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the micromachining involves photon beam etching.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the micromachining involves lithography.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the micromachining involves etching.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the micromachining involves direct beam writing and milling.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the step of forming an oriented slot comprises doping.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method recited in claim 12 wherein the doping involves ion implantation to create an oriented slot having a different index of refraction than the other portions of the optical waveguide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of coating the walls of said internal oriented slot with a conducting film approximately several hundred Angstroms thick.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of filling the slot with a material of different index of refraction from that of said waveguide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler comprising: an intact, cladded optical waveguide having a submicron, internal slot formed therein whereby said internal slot divides, combines and directs a light beam along desired paths, and whereby orientation and width of said slot determines the branching ratio of the optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler comprising: an intact, cladded optical waveguide having a submicron, internal slot formed therein whereby said internal slot divides, combines and directs a light beam along desired paths, and whereby orientation and width of said slot determines the branching ratio of the optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler comprising: at least one cladded intact fiber, said fiber having at least one submicron internal oriented slot formed therein whereby a light beam passing through said slot is redirected.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler comprising: at least one cladded intact fiber, said fiber having at least one submicron internal oriented slot formed therein whereby a light beam passing through said slot is redirected.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler as recited in claim 17 wherein said slot comprises a localized region of ion-induced alteration.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler as recited in claim 17 wherein said slot comprises a localized region of radiation-induced alteration.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler as recited in claim 17 wherein at least one of the walls of said internal oriented slot is coated with a conducting film approximately several hundred angstroms thick.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler as recited in claim 17 wherein said slot is filled with a material of different index of refraction from that of said fiber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler as recited in claim 17 wherein said slot is curved for focusing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
An array of selectively coupled linear waveguides comprising a plurality of layers of material having different indexes of refraction; a plurality of intact linear waveguides formed in said layers; and a plurality of light directing submicron internal oriented slots formed in said intact linear waveguides whereby said waveguides are selectively coupled by said slots to create circuit paths.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
An array of selectively coupled linear waveguides comprising a plurality of layers of material having different indexes of refraction; a plurality of intact linear waveguides formed in said layers; and a plurality of light directing submicron internal oriented slots formed in said intact linear waveguides whereby said waveguides are selectively coupled by said slots to create circuit paths.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
An array of selectively coupled linear waveguides as recited in claim 23 wherein said linear waveguides are of varying widths to provide pulse shaping.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
An array of selectively coupler linear wave guides as recited in claim 23 wherein said circuit paths are dependent on light intensity levels by varying the size and spacing of said light directing slots.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
An array of selectively coupled linear waveguides as recited in claim 23 wherein metal films are deposited at the interfaces of said plurality of layers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
50 words
A polarization maintaining optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler comprising: an intact optical waveguide having a submicron, polarization-maintaining internal slot formed therein whereby said internal slot divides, combines and directs a light beam along desired paths, and whereby orientation and width of said slot determines the branching ratio of the optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
A polarization maintaining optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler comprising: an intact optical waveguide having a submicron, polarization-maintaining internal slot formed therein whereby said internal slot divides, combines and directs a light beam along desired paths, and whereby orientation and width of said slot determines the branching ratio of the optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler comprising: at least one intake fiber, said fiber having at least one submicron, polarization-maintaining internal oriented slot formed therein whereby a light beam passing through said slot is redirected.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical waveguide beamsplitter/coupler comprising: at least one intake fiber, said fiber having at least one submicron, polarization-maintaining internal oriented slot formed therein whereby a light beam passing through said slot is redirected.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
59 words
An array of selectively coupled, polarization-maintaining linear waveguides comprising a plurality of layers of material having different indexes of refraction; a plurality of intact linear waveguides formed in said layers; and a plurality of light directing submicron, polarization-maintaining, internal slots formed in said intact linear waveguides whereby said waveguides are selectively coupled by said slots to create circuit paths.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
59 words
An array of selectively coupled, polarization-maintaining linear waveguides comprising a plurality of layers of material having different indexes of refraction; a plurality of intact linear waveguides formed in said layers; and a plurality of light directing submicron, polarization-maintaining, internal slots formed in said intact linear waveguides whereby said waveguides are selectively coupled by said slots to create circuit paths.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-10 | 1989-09-09 | 1990-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-10 | 1993-09-09 | 1994-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-10 | 1997-09-09 | 1998-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |