US4671607A
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US
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Divided function optical component for optical teletransmissions
Assignee: Horiba Jobin Yvon SAS
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Filing: 1983-12-08
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Granted: 1987-06-09
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Expires: 2003-12-08
Abstract
Abstract Divided function optical component, for optical telecommunications, of the type comprising optical fibers in conjugate object-image positions for regrouping or separating the light rays according to a given function. The component comprises simultaneously several groups of conjugate object-image fibers relative to the same regrouping or separation function. All the fibers are positioned in the same weak aberration area.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Laude
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:31
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29304; G02B6/29305; G02B6/29307; G02B6/29316; G02B6/29325; G02B6/29329; G02B6/29379; G02B6/2938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A divided function optical component, for optical telecommunications, of the type comprising optical fibers in conjugate object-image relative positions with respect to focusing optical means for regrouping or separating light rays according to a wavelength separating and a focusing function defined by the structure of the component, said component comprising simultaneously more than one group of conjugate object-image fibers performing the same multiplexer/demultiplexer function, all the fiber groups being arranged in the weak aberration area proximate the optical axis associated with the focusing function.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A divided function optical component, for optical telecommunications, of the type comprising optical fibers in conjugate object-image relative positions with respect to focusing optical means for regrouping or separating light rays according to a wavelength separating and a focusing function defined by the structure of the component, said component comprising simultaneously more than one group of conjugate object-image fibers performing the same multiplexer/demultiplexer function, all the fiber groups being arranged in the weak aberration area proximate the optical axis associated with the focusing function.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical component according to claim 1, wherein all of the optical object and image fibers are arranged as a rectilinear strip of juxtaposed fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical component according to claim 1, wherein all of the optical object and image fibers are arranged as severaljuxtaposed rectilinear strips, each strip being itself constituted by a juxtaposition of fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical component as in claim 1 wherein said optical means is a solid transparent member integrally associated with a focusing surface, wavelength separating means and said fibers.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
428 words
A device, comprising: (a) solid transparent member having first and second ends, said first end being configured and dimensioned to form a support for a focusing surface; (b) reflective means, adjacent said first end, for forming a reflective focusing surface; (c) first light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a first path end of a first path along which light is sent or received, said first path end being centered on a first point and said first path extending toward said reflective focusing surface; (d) diffraction grating means disposed adjacent said second end, for diffracting light of different wavelengths incident on said grating means along said path from said reflective means and reflecting it at different angles as a function of wavelength further along said path back toward said reflective means; and (e) second light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said first path opposite said first path end of said first path, said first path extending from said first light conducting means to said reflective means, from said reflective means to said grating means from said grating means to said reflective means, and from said reflective means to said second light conducting means, said second light conducting means comprising second and third optic fibers, centered on second and third points, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of different wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the focal point of the paths followed by light of said different wavelengths exiting from said first light conducting means; (f) third light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a second path end of a second path along which light is sent or received, said second path end being centered on a fourth point and said second path extending toward said reflective focusing surface; and (g) fourth light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said second path opposite said second path end of said second path, said second path extending from said third light conducting means to said reflective means, from said reflective means to said grating means, from said grating means to said reflective means, and from said reflective means to said fourth light conducting means, said fourth light conducting means comprising optic fibers, centered on fifth and sixth points, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of different wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the focal point of the paths followed by light of said different wavelengths exiting from said third light conducting means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
428 words
A device, comprising: (a) solid transparent member having first and second ends, said first end being configured and dimensioned to form a support for a focusing surface; (b) reflective means, adjacent said first end, for forming a reflective focusing surface; (c) first light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a first path end of a first path along which light is sent or received, said first path end being centered on a first point and said first path extending toward said reflective focusing surface; (d) diffraction grating means disposed adjacent said second end, for diffracting light of different wavelengths incident on said grating means along said path from said reflective means and reflecting it at different angles as a function of wavelength further along said path back toward said reflective means; and (e) second light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said first path opposite said first path end of said first path, said first path extending from said first light conducting means to said reflective means, from said reflective means to said grating means from said grating means to said reflective means, and from said reflective means to said second light conducting means, said second light conducting means comprising second and third optic fibers, centered on second and third points, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of different wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the focal point of the paths followed by light of said different wavelengths exiting from said first light conducting means; (f) third light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a second path end of a second path along which light is sent or received, said second path end being centered on a fourth point and said second path extending toward said reflective focusing surface; and (g) fourth light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said second path opposite said second path end of said second path, said second path extending from said third light conducting means to said reflective means, from said reflective means to said grating means, from said grating means to said reflective means, and from said reflective means to said fourth light conducting means, said fourth light conducting means comprising optic fibers, centered on fifth and sixth points, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of different wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the focal point of the paths followed by light of said different wavelengths exiting from said third light conducting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 5, wherein all of said points are separated from adjacent points by a substantially uniform distance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
176 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: (h) fifth light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a third path end of a third path along which light is sent or received, said third path end being centered on a seventh point and said third path extending toward said reflective focusing surface; and (i) sixth light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said third path opposite said third path end of said third path, said third path extending from said fifth light conducting means to said reflective means, from said reflective means to said grating means, from said grating means to said reflective means, and from said reflective means to said sixth light conducting means, said sixth light conducting means comprising optic fibers, centered on eighth and ninth points, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of different wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the focal point of the paths followed by light of said different wavelengths exiting from said fifth light conducting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein all of said points are disposed in a line separated from adjacent points by a substantially uniform distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 7, wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth points all lie substantially in line with each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as in claim 9, wherein said points follow the following order: (i) first point; (ii) sixth point; (iii) fifth point; (iv) seventh point; (v) eighth point; (vi) ninth point; (vii) fourth point; (viii) second point; and (ix) third point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 10, wherein said points are uniformly spaced with respect to adjacent points.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 5, wherein said optic fibers are disposed in contact with said solid transparent member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 12, wherein said optic fibers are positional proximate the center of curvature of said reflective focusing surface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
544 words
A device, comprising: (a) a solid transparent member having first and second ends, said first end being configured and dimensioned to form a support for a focusing surface; (b) reflective means, adjacent said first end, for forming a reflective focusing surface, said focusing surface having a center of curvature or the equivalent of a center of curvature; (c) first light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a first path end of a first path along which light is sent or received, said first path end being centered on a first point and said first path extending toward said reflective focusing surface; (d) color responsive focusing means for reflecting light of a first wavelength which is emitted by said first light conducting means, said color responsive focusing means passing an other wavelength of light, said color responsive focusing means having a center of curvature at a different position in space from the position of the center of curvature of said focusing surface; (e) second light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said first path opposite said first path end of said first path, said first path extending from said first light conducting means to said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and said first path extending from said first light conducting means to said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength, from said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and from said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength, to second and third points for said other and first wavelengths, respectively, said second light conducting means comprising second and third optic fibers, centered on said second and third points, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of said other and first wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the focal point of the paths followed by light of said other and first wavelengths passing through said first light conducting means; (f) third light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a second path end of a second path along which light is sent or received, said second path end being centered on a fourth point and said second path extending toward said reflective focusing surface said fourth point being displaced from said first point; and (g) fourth light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said second path opposite said second path end of said second path, said second path extending from said third light conducting means to said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and from said third light conducting means to said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength, from said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and from said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength to fifth and sixth points, respectively, said fourth light conducting means comprising optic fibers, centered on said fifth and sixth points for said other and first wavelengths, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of said other and first wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the paths followed by light of said other and first wavelengths passing through said third light conducting means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
544 words
A device, comprising: (a) a solid transparent member having first and second ends, said first end being configured and dimensioned to form a support for a focusing surface; (b) reflective means, adjacent said first end, for forming a reflective focusing surface, said focusing surface having a center of curvature or the equivalent of a center of curvature; (c) first light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a first path end of a first path along which light is sent or received, said first path end being centered on a first point and said first path extending toward said reflective focusing surface; (d) color responsive focusing means for reflecting light of a first wavelength which is emitted by said first light conducting means, said color responsive focusing means passing an other wavelength of light, said color responsive focusing means having a center of curvature at a different position in space from the position of the center of curvature of said focusing surface; (e) second light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said first path opposite said first path end of said first path, said first path extending from said first light conducting means to said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and said first path extending from said first light conducting means to said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength, from said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and from said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength, to second and third points for said other and first wavelengths, respectively, said second light conducting means comprising second and third optic fibers, centered on said second and third points, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of said other and first wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the focal point of the paths followed by light of said other and first wavelengths passing through said first light conducting means; (f) third light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a second path end of a second path along which light is sent or received, said second path end being centered on a fourth point and said second path extending toward said reflective focusing surface said fourth point being displaced from said first point; and (g) fourth light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said second path opposite said second path end of said second path, said second path extending from said third light conducting means to said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and from said third light conducting means to said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength, from said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and from said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength to fifth and sixth points, respectively, said fourth light conducting means comprising optic fibers, centered on said fifth and sixth points for said other and first wavelengths, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of said other and first wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the paths followed by light of said other and first wavelengths passing through said third light conducting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
227 words
A device as in claim 14, further comprising: (h) fifth light conducting means positioned proximate said second end and positioned at a third path end of a third path along which light is sent or received, said third path end being centered on a seventh point and said third path extending toward said reflective focusing surface, said seventh point being displaced from said first and fourth points; and (i) sixth light conducting means proximate said second end and positioned at the end of said third path opposite said third path end of said third path, said third path extending from said fifth light conducting means to said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and said third path extending from said fifth light conducting means to said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength, from said reflective means for light of said other wavelength and from said color responsive focusing means for light of said first wavelength to eighth and ninth points for said other and first wavelengths, respectively, said sixth light conducting means comprising optic fibers, centered on said eighth and ninth points, respectively, corresponding to opposite path ends for light of said other and first wavelengths, said opposite path ends being coincident with the paths followed by light of said other and first wavelengths passing through said fifth light conducting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 15, wherein all of said points are disposed in a line separated from adjacent points by a substantially uniform distance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
156 words
A device as in claim 15, wherein said first and second points are symmetrical about the center of curvature or the equivalent of a center of curvature of said focusing surface, said fourth and fifth points are symmetrical about the center of curvature or the equivalent of a center of curvature of said focusing surface, said seventh and eighth points are symmetrical about the center of curvature or the equivalent of a center of curvature of said focusing surface, said first and third points are symmetrical about the center of curvature or the equivalent of a center of curvature of said color responsive focusing surface, said fourth and sixth points are symmetrical about the center of curvature or the equivalent of a center of curvature of said color responsive focusing surface, and said seventh and ninth points are symmetrical about the center of curvature or the equivalent of a center of curvature of said focusing surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein said points form a three-by-three matrix.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device as in claim 18, wherein said points are positioned in three rows of three points each the top row following the order; (i) eighth point; (ii) first point; and (iii) ninth point; the middle row following the order; (iv) fifth point; (v) fourth point; and (vi) sixth point; and the bottom row following the order; (vii) second point; (viii) seventh point; and (ix) third point.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as in claim 19, wherein the center of curvature of said color responsive focusing surface is centered between said fourth and sixth points and said center of curvature of said focusing surface is centered between said fourth and fifth points.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 17, wherein said points are in a linear configuration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as in claim 21, wherein said points follow the following order: (i) first point; (ii) fourth point; (iii) seventh point; (iv) ninth point; (v) sixth point; (vi) third point; (vii) eighth point; (viii) fifth point; and (ix) second point.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as in claim 22, wherein said center of curvature of said color responsive focusing surface is centered between said seventh and ninth points and said center of curvature of said focusing surface is centered on said sixth point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-08 | 1990-12-08 | 1991-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-08 | 1994-12-08 | 1995-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-08 | 1998-12-08 | 1999-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |