US4748614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical wavelength-multiplexing and/or demultiplexing device
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1983-04-11
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Granted: 1988-05-31
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Expires: 2003-04-11
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an optical wavelength multiplexing and/or demultiplexing device. The device comprises a digital phase grating having at least four steps. The grating diffracts light of at least three different wavelengths in different central diffraction orders. Since the grating period may be high in comparison with the wavelengths light-emitting diodes may be used as light sources.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Dammann
- 👤 Ulrich Killat
- 👤 Gert Rabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29304; G02B6/29305; G02B6/2931; G02B5/00; G02B5/18; G02B5/1866; G02B5/1871; G02B6/29379; G02B6/2938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An optical wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing device for combining a number of light beams of different component wavelengths into a single light beam, or for separating a single light beam of many component wavelengths into a number of separate light beams of different component wavelengths, said device comprising: a first light guide for transmitting a single light beam of many component wavelengths; at least three component light guides, each for transmitting a single light beam of a component wavelength; and a phase grating arranged between the first light guide and the component light guides; characterized in that: the phase grating is a digital phase grating having at least four steps of different heights; the phase grating has a period which is a multiple of each component wavelength; and the grating parameters are chosen so that each component wavelength is diffracted into a single central diffraction order which differs from that of the other component wavelengths.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An optical wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing device for combining a number of light beams of different component wavelengths into a single light beam, or for separating a single light beam of many component wavelengths into a number of separate light beams of different component wavelengths, said device comprising: a first light guide for transmitting a single light beam of many component wavelengths; at least three component light guides, each for transmitting a single light beam of a component wavelength; and a phase grating arranged between the first light guide and the component light guides; characterized in that: the phase grating is a digital phase grating having at least four steps of different heights; the phase grating has a period which is a multiple of each component wavelength; and the grating parameters are chosen so that each component wavelength is diffracted into a single central diffraction order which differs from that of the other component wavelengths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the grating parameters are the step height and the number of steps per grating period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the grating is a reflection grating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the step height is a multiple of each component wavelength.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
An optical wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing device for combining a number of light beams of different component wavelengths into a single light beam, or for separating a single light beam of many component wavelengths into a number of separate light beams of different component wavelengths, said device comprising: a first light guide for transmitting a single light beam of many component wavelengths; at least three component light guides, each for transmitting a single light beam of a component wavelength; and a phase grating arranged between the first light guide and the component light guides; characterized in that: the phase grating is a digital phase grating having at least four steps of different heights; the phase grating has a period which is a multiple of each component wavelength; and the grating parameters are chosen so that each component wavelength is diffracted into one of at least two central diffraction orders, at least two of the component wavelengths being diffracted into the same diffraction order.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
An optical wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing device for combining a number of light beams of different component wavelengths into a single light beam, or for separating a single light beam of many component wavelengths into a number of separate light beams of different component wavelengths, said device comprising: a first light guide for transmitting a single light beam of many component wavelengths; at least three component light guides, each for transmitting a single light beam of a component wavelength; and a phase grating arranged between the first light guide and the component light guides; characterized in that: the phase grating is a digital phase grating having at least four steps of different heights; the phase grating has a period which is a multiple of each component wavelength; and the grating parameters are chosen so that each component wavelength is diffracted into one of at least two central diffraction orders, at least two of the component wavelengths being diffracted into the same diffraction order.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the grating parameters are the step height and the number of steps per grating period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the grating is a reflection grating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the step height is a multiple of each component wavelength.
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) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-11-30 | 1992-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-31 | 1995-11-30 | 1996-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-31 | 1999-11-30 | 2000-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |