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US4878728A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multilayer integrated optical device

Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
•
Filing: 1988-05-23
•
Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2008-05-23
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Abstract

Abstract An integrated optical device comprises stacked substrates provided with optical waveguides in different planes. The waveguides in different planes are interconnected by external optical elements.

Inventors

  • 👤 Lothar P. Mannschke

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 21:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/12007; G02B6/12002; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/30; G02B6/42; G02B6/43; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29346; G02B6/29361; G02B6/2937

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 124 words
A multilayer integrated optical device comprising: a substrate; a first optical waveguide arranged on or in the substrate, said first waveguide extending in at least two directions substantially in a first plane, said first waveguide having an end face; a second optical waveguide arranged on or in the substrate, said second waveguide extending substantially in a second plane, said second plane being spaced from but substantially parallel to the first plane, said second waveguide having an end face arranged substantially above or below the end face of the first waveguide; and means for imaging the end face of the first optical waveguide and the end face of the second optical waveguide onto each other, said means being arranged at least partly outside the substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 124 words
A multilayer integrated optical device comprising: a substrate; a first optical waveguide arranged on or in the substrate, said first waveguide extending in at least two directions substantially in a first plane, said first waveguide having an end face; a second optical waveguide arranged on or in the substrate, said second waveguide extending substantially in a second plane, said second plane being spaced from but substantially parallel to the first plane, said second waveguide having an end face arranged substantially above or below the end face of the first waveguide; and means for imaging the end face of the first optical waveguide and the end face of the second optical waveguide onto each other, said means being arranged at least partly outside the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 36 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the imaging means comprises a graded index lens having an optical axis, said optical axis being parallel to the first and second planes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 55 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: the graded index lens has a length, a pitch, and a side arranged remote from the waveguides; the remote side is provided with a reflective coating; and the length of the lens is equal to one-quarter of the pitch of the lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 41 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: the reflective coating transmits a preselected wavelength; and the device further comprises a second graded index lens arranged on the reflective coating opposite the first graded index lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the reflective coating is semireflective for all wavelengths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the waveguides are strip waveguides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the optical coupling means comprises a coupling optical fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the coupling fiber comprises two optical fibers, said two fibers being combined to form an optical coupler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 46 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: the first and second optical waveguides have end faces; the substrate has recesses at the ends faces of the waveguides; and the optical coupling means is secured in the recesses in the substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the waveguides are strip waveguides.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the waveguides are planar waveguides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
A multilayer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises a plurality of stacked substrates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 108 words
A multilayer integrated optical device comprising: a substrate having a substantially planar surface; a plurality of first optical waveguides arranged on or in the substrate, said first waveguides extending substantially in a first plane coplanar with or substantially parallel to the plane of said surface; a second optical waveguide arranged on or in the substrate, said second waveguide extending substantially in a second plane, said second plane being spaced from but substantially parallel to both said first plane and the plane of said surface; and means for optically coupling one first optical waveguide to the second optical waveguide, said means being arranged at least partly outside the substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 108 words
A multilayer integrated optical device comprising: a substrate having a substantially planar surface; a plurality of first optical waveguides arranged on or in the substrate, said first waveguides extending substantially in a first plane coplanar with or substantially parallel to the plane of said surface; a second optical waveguide arranged on or in the substrate, said second waveguide extending substantially in a second plane, said second plane being spaced from but substantially parallel to both said first plane and the plane of said surface; and means for optically coupling one first optical waveguide to the second optical waveguide, said means being arranged at least partly outside the substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 21 words
A multilayer integrated optical waveguide as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the device comprises a plurality of stacked substrates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 57 words
A multi-layer integrated optical device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that a plurality of second optical waveguides are arranged on or in the substrate and extending substantially in said second plane, and said optical coupling means optically couples at least one of said first optical waveguides to at least one of said second optical waveguides.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPS56102817A Cited
JPS56155907A Cited
US4468085A Cited
EP0052901A1 Cited
JPS58209710A Cited
JPS5929210A Cited
US4575180A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-11-06 1993-05-08 1993-11-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-11-06 1997-05-08 1997-11-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-11-06 2001-05-08 2001-11-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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