US4810049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Reducing bend and coupling losses in integrated optical waveguides
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1987-04-02
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Granted: 1989-03-07
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Expires: 2007-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A groove is disposed in a substrate longitudinally along the outside radius of a bent integrated optical waveguide to constrain the mode of optical energy propagating therein such that the optical energy that would normally be radiated is confined to the waveguide, thereby reducing transmission loss through the bend. Further, to reduce coupling loss between an integrated optical waveguide and an optical fiber, two grooves are disposed longitudinally along either side of the integrated optical waveguide to constrain the mode of optical energy propagating in the waveguide to approximate the mode of the optical energy propagating in the optical fiber. To further reduce both bend and coupling losses, the ends of the grooves bend away from the waveguide.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick H. Fischer
- 👤 Edmond J. Murphy
- 👤 Trudie C. Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A curved waveguide selectively formed in a layer of optical material for propagating optical energy therein, characterized by: means, having two ends and a different index of refraction than the optical material, juxtapositioned to the waveguide and disposed longitudinally along the outside radius of the waveguide with at least one end of the means bending away from the waveguide, for constraining the optical energy to the waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A curved waveguide selectively formed in a layer of optical material for propagating optical energy therein, characterized by: means, having two ends and a different index of refraction than the optical material, juxtapositioned to the waveguide and disposed longitudinally along the outside radius of the waveguide with at least one end of the means bending away from the waveguide, for constraining the optical energy to the waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein the optical material is a birefringent material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein the optical material is a single crystal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein the optical material is a compound comprising at least one metallic species.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The waveguide of claim 4 wherein the metallic species is selected from the group consisting of lithium, niobium, tantalum, strontium and barium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein the waveguide has diffused therein at least one metallic species.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The waveguide of claim 6 wherein the metallic species is selected from the group consisting of titanium, nickel and vanadium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein the optical material is an electro-optic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The waveguide of claim 8 wherein the electro-optic material is selected from the group consisting of lithium niobate, strontium barium niobate and lithium tantalate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The waveguide of claim 1 wherein the index of refraction of the means is less than that of the optical material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The waveguide of claim 10 wherein the means is a groove in the surface of the optical material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The waveguide of claim 11 wherein the groove is at least partially filled with a solid filling material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The waveguide of claim 12 wherein the filling material has a lower index of refraction than the optical material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The waveguide of claim 11 wherein the groove is disposed a predetermined distance from the curved waveguide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The waveguide of claim 11 wherein the bend in the end of the groove has an exponential shape away from the waveguide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The waveguide of claim 11 wherein the depth of the grooves in the optical material is at least 25% of the depth of the waveguide in the optical material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The waveguide of claim 16 wherein the depth of the groove in the optical material at least equals the depth of the waveguide in the optical material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The waveguide of claim 11 wherein the waveguide couples to at least one integrated optical device formed in the optical material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
A waveguide selectively formed in a layer of optical material and adapted to couple optical energy between the waveguide and an external waveguide, characterized by: at least one means, having a different index of refraction than that of the optical material and disposed longitudinally along side of the waveguide at a predetermined distance therefrom, for constraining the optical energy to the waveguide; wherein the cross-sectional optical energy distribution (mode) within the waveguide is constrained on at least one side by at least one means to approximate the mode in the external waveguide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
92 words
A waveguide selectively formed in a layer of optical material and adapted to couple optical energy between the waveguide and an external waveguide, characterized by: at least one means, having a different index of refraction than that of the optical material and disposed longitudinally along side of the waveguide at a predetermined distance therefrom, for constraining the optical energy to the waveguide; wherein the cross-sectional optical energy distribution (mode) within the waveguide is constrained on at least one side by at least one means to approximate the mode in the external waveguide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The waveguide of claim 19 wherein the optical material is a birefringent material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The waveguide of claim 19 wherein the optical material is a single crystal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The waveguide of claim 19 wherein the optical material is a compound comprising at least one metallic species.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The waveguide of claim 22 wherein the metallic species is selected from the group consisting of lithium, niobium, tantalum, strontium and barium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The waveguide of claim 19 wherein the waveguide has diffused therein at least one metallic species.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The waveguide of claim 24 wherein the metallic species is selected from the group consisting of titanium, nickel and vanadium.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The waveguide of claim 19 wherein the optical material is an electro-optic material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The waveguide of claim 26 wherein the electro-optic material is selected from the group consisting of lithium niobate, strontium barium niobate and lithium tantalate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The waveguide of claim 19 wherein the index of refraction of the means is less than that of the optical material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The waveguide of claim 28 wherein the means is a groove in the surface of the optical material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The waveguide of claim 29 wherein the groove is at least partially filled with a solid filling material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The waveguide of claim 30 wherein the filling material has a lower index of refraction than the optical material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The waveguide of claim 29 wherein an end of the groove bends away from the waveguide.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The waveguide of claim 32 wherein the end of the groove bends away exponentially from the waveguide.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The waveguide of claim 29 wherein the depth of the grooves in the optical material is at least 25% of the depth of the waveguide in the optical material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The waveguide of claim 34 wherein the depth of the groove in the optical material exceeds the depth of the waveguide in the optical material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The waveguide of claim 29, wherein the external waveguide is an optical fiber.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The waveguide of claim 29 wherein the waveguide couples to at least one integrated optical device formed in the optical material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4598039A
Cited
JPS61117513A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-06 | 1992-09-05 | 1993-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-09-05 | 1997-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-06 | 2000-09-05 | 2001-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |