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US4865407A
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Optical waveguide element, method of making the same and optical coupler employing optical waveguide element
Assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1988-10-26
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Granted: 1989-09-12
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Expires: 2008-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An optical waveguide element includes an optical waveguide formed on a light-transmissive dielectric substrate and having a higher refractive index than the refraction index of the substrate, the optical waveguide including a region having an effective refractive index which varies nonlinearly in a direction in which a light wave is propagated through the optical waveguide. The light wave guided through the optical waveguide enters the region, in which the angles of incidence and reflection of the guided wave at the boundary between the region and the substrate is gradually reduced due to the variation in the effective refractive index. When the angles of incidence and reflection of the guided wave becomes smaller than a critical angle, the guided wave is emitted out of the waveguide. Since the effective refractive index changes nonlinearly with respect to the distance the guided wave is propagated, the light emitted into the substrate tends to converge at a point, and the beam pattern of the emitted light is spread less.
Inventors
- 👤 Akihiro Suzuki
- 👤 Makoto Suzuki
- 👤 Yutaka Hattori
- 👤 Kazuyuki Miyaki
- 👤 Masayuki Yoshida
- 👤 Kazunari Taki
- 👤 Yoshinori Bessho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:48
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/1228; G02B6/124; G02B6/1245; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/30; G02B6/305; G02B6/36; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3632; G02B6/3636; G02B2006/12166; G02B2006/12183; G02B2006/12195; G02B6/3616; G02B6/3624; G02B6/3648; G02B6/3652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
An optical waveguide element comprising a light-transmissive dielectric substrate, and an optical waveguide formed on said substrate and having a higher refractive index than the refractive index of said substrate, said optical waveguide having an effective refractive index which varies nonlinearly in a direction in which a light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical waveguide element comprising a light-transmissive dielectric substrate, and an optical waveguide formed on said substrate and having a higher refractive index than the refractive index of said substrate, said optical waveguide having an effective refractive index which varies nonlinearly in a direction in which a light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical waveguide element according to claim 1, wherein said optical waveguide has an effective refractive index which is increased nonlinearly in the direction in which the light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical waveguide element according to claim 1, wherein said optical waveguide had an effective refractive index which is reduced nonlinearly in the direction in which the light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical waveguide comprising a first linear optical material and a second optical material disposed around said first optical material and having a lower refractive index than the refractive index of said first optical material, said second optical material having a flat end, said first optical material having an end on the same side as said flat end of the second optical material, said end of said first optical material being embedded in said second optical material and having a convexly curved surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical waveguide comprising a first linear optical material and a second optical material disposed around said first optical material and having a lower refractive index than the refractive index of said first optical material, said second optical material having a flat end, said first optical material having an end on the same side as said flat end of the second optical material, said end of said first optical material being embedded in said second optical material and having a convexly curved surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
An optical coupler comprising an optical waveguide element including a light-transmissive dielectric substrate, and an optical waveguide formed on said substrate and having a higher refractive index than the refractive index of said substrate, said optical waveguide having an effective refractive index which varies nonlinearly in a direction in which a light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide, for emitting light from and introducing light into said optical waveguide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
An optical coupler comprising an optical waveguide element including a light-transmissive dielectric substrate, and an optical waveguide formed on said substrate and having a higher refractive index than the refractive index of said substrate, said optical waveguide having an effective refractive index which varies nonlinearly in a direction in which a light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide, for emitting light from and introducing light into said optical waveguide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
An optical coupler comprising an optical waveguide element including a light-transmissive dielectric substrate, and an optical waveguide formed on said substrate and having a higher refractive index than the refractive index of said substrate, said optical waveguide being formed on each of opposite ends of said substrate, said optical waveguide having an effective refractive index which varies nonlinearly in a direction in which a light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
An optical coupler comprising an optical waveguide element including a light-transmissive dielectric substrate, and an optical waveguide formed on said substrate and having a higher refractive index than the refractive index of said substrate, said optical waveguide being formed on each of opposite ends of said substrate, said optical waveguide having an effective refractive index which varies nonlinearly in a direction in which a light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical coupler comprising an optical waveguide element including a light-transmissive dielectric substrate, and an optical waveguide formed on said substrate and having a higher refractive index than the refractive index of said substrate, said optical waveguide having an effective refractive index which varies nonlinearly in a direction in which a light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide, for emitting light from and introducing light into said optical waveguide, said optical waveguide having an inclined surface through which the light is emitted from and introduced into the optical waveguide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical coupler comprising an optical waveguide element including a light-transmissive dielectric substrate, and an optical waveguide formed on said substrate and having a higher refractive index than the refractive index of said substrate, said optical waveguide having an effective refractive index which varies nonlinearly in a direction in which a light wave is propagated through said optical waveguide, for emitting light from and introducing light into said optical waveguide, said optical waveguide having an inclined surface through which the light is emitted from and introduced into the optical waveguide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical coupler according to claim 7, wherein said surface is inclined to cause the light to travel parallel to said substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical coupler according to claim 7, wherein said optical waveguide has a groove for positioning therein an optical fiber with respect to said optical waveguide.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-11 | 1993-03-13 | 1993-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-11 | 1997-03-13 | 1997-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-11 | 2001-03-13 | 2001-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |