US4861136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical communication systems using fabry-perot cavities
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1987-07-15
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Granted: 1989-08-29
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Expires: 2007-07-15
Abstract
Abstract This invention is a new type of Fabry-Perot cavity, and an optical communication system using such a cavity. The inventive Fabry-Perot cavity comprises both a waveguiding portion and a nonwaveguiding portion. In this manner, tunable cavities of desirable mid-range length, necessary to obtain required free spectral ranges, may be fabricated with minimal diffraction losses otherwise associated with cavities of such length. The cavity length may be varied using, for example, piezoelectric elements, and the various cavity elements may be aligned and connected, using fiber connector technology.
Inventors
- 👤 Julian Stone
- 👤 Lawrence W. Stulz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/50; H04B10/572; G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/12; G01J3/26; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29346; G02B6/29358; G02B6/29359; G02B6/29379; G02B6/29395; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; H04B10/501; H04B10/506; G01J2003/1226; G01J2003/1247; G01J2003/1252; G01J9/00; G01J9/02; G01J2009/0226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
An optical communication system comprising: (a) means for wavelength multiplexing at least two optical signals (b) means for transmitting the multiplexed signals to a receiver, the receiver comprising a Fabry-Perot cavity bounded by reflecting surfaces the invention characterized in that the cavity region includes a waveguiding portion and a non-waveguiding portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
An optical communication system comprising: (a) means for wavelength multiplexing at least two optical signals (b) means for transmitting the multiplexed signals to a receiver, the receiver comprising a Fabry-Perot cavity bounded by reflecting surfaces the invention characterized in that the cavity region includes a waveguiding portion and a non-waveguiding portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further including means for varying the optical length of the cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the means for varying the optical lenth of the cavity comprise means for varying the physical length of the cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the means for varying the physical length of the cavity comprise a piezo-electric cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the means for varying the optical length of the cavity comprise means for varying the dielectric properties of the cavity medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising fiber connecting means to align waveguiding portions of the cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the cavity length is between 1 and 10 millimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the cavity lengths is between 2 and 7 millimeters.
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) | 1992-08-28 | 1993-02-27 | 1993-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-28 | 1997-02-27 | 1997-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-02-27 | 2001-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |