US4739501A
Expired / Lapsed
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Optical multiplexer/demultiplexer
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent NV
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Filing: 1985-08-30
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Granted: 1988-04-19
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Expires: 2005-08-30
Abstract
Abstract An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer is disclosed in which a reflection grating (1) is formed on a hemispherical lens (2).
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Fussganger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:35
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/12007; G02B6/12004; G02B6/122; G02B6/124; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2817; G02B2006/12083; G02B2006/12107; G02B2006/12133; G02B2006/12164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An integrated optical multiplexer/demulitplexer comprising: a transparent substrate having an upper planar surface; a diffused region in said substrate and extending downwardly from said planar surface to form an imaging lens; a film deposited on said upper planar surface to form a planar waveguide above said imaging lens; a grating defined in a photoresist material applied above said film to form a reflective diffraction grating above said waveguide; a single-mode fiber directly optically coupled to said waveguide; a plurality of waveguides defined in a portion of said substrate adjacent a portion of said imaging lens remote from said upper surface and oriented with respect to said lens and said grating so as to each receive a different wavelength of light, when said multiplexer/demultiplexer is functioning as a demultiplexer or transmit a different wavelength of light, when said multiplexer/demultiplexer is functioning as a multiplexer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An integrated optical multiplexer/demulitplexer comprising: a transparent substrate having an upper planar surface; a diffused region in said substrate and extending downwardly from said planar surface to form an imaging lens; a film deposited on said upper planar surface to form a planar waveguide above said imaging lens; a grating defined in a photoresist material applied above said film to form a reflective diffraction grating above said waveguide; a single-mode fiber directly optically coupled to said waveguide; a plurality of waveguides defined in a portion of said substrate adjacent a portion of said imaging lens remote from said upper surface and oriented with respect to said lens and said grating so as to each receive a different wavelength of light, when said multiplexer/demultiplexer is functioning as a demultiplexer or transmit a different wavelength of light, when said multiplexer/demultiplexer is functioning as a multiplexer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angles between the individual ones of said plurality of waveguides and the single said single-mode optical fiber are chosen in accordance with the respective wavelength and the grating constant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said plurality of fiber optic waveguides consists of alternate single-mode and multi-mode optical fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that at least part of the optical fibers are polarization-conserving optical fibers which are so arranged that the principal plane of polarization defined by them is perpendicular to the lines of the grating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that each of the single-mode optical fibers is connected to a light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that each of the multi-mode optical fibers is connected to an optical-to-electrical transducer.
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) | 1991-04-19 | 1991-10-19 | 1992-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-19 | 1995-10-19 | 1996-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-19 | 1999-10-19 | 2000-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |