US4886332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical systems with thin film polarization rotators and method for fabricating such rotators
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1987-10-19
•
Granted: 1989-12-12
•
Expires: 2007-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A method for fabricating a polarization rotator which includes a thin film waveguide exhibiting essentially zero linear birefringence in the absence of an externally applied stress, as well as an optical system incorporating said rotator, is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Wolfe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:20
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/12; G11B7/135; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/126; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/09; G02F1/095; G02F1/0955
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An optical system, comprising: a source of electromagnetic radiation; a component of said system, capable of optical communication with said source, serving to transmit or reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by said source; and a polarization rotator including a thin film optical waveguide, capable of optical communication with said source and said component, characterized in that said thin film waveguide exhibits essentially zero linear birefringence in the absence of an extremely applied stress in relation to at least one wavelength of incident, linearly polarized light of any polarization orientation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical system, comprising: a source of electromagnetic radiation; a component of said system, capable of optical communication with said source, serving to transmit or reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by said source; and a polarization rotator including a thin film optical waveguide, capable of optical communication with said source and said component, characterized in that said thin film waveguide exhibits essentially zero linear birefringence in the absence of an extremely applied stress in relation to at least one wavelength of incident, linearly polarized light of any polarization orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said optical system includes an optical isolator, said isolator including said polarization rotator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said optical system includes an optical circulator, said circulator including said polarization rotator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said optical system includes an optical switch, said switch including said polarization rotator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said thin film optica; waveguide includes material having a composition which includes iron and oxygen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The optical system of claim 5 wherein said composition further includes yttrium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical system of claim 5 wherein said composition further includes a rear earth element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The optical system of claim 5 wherein said composition further includes bismuth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical system, comprising: a source of electromagnetic radiation; and a thin film waveguide capable of optical communication with said source, characterized in that said thin film waveguide exhibits essentially zero linear birefringence in the absence of an externally applied stress in relation to at least one wavelength of incident, linearly polarized light of any polarization orientation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical system, comprising: a source of electromagnetic radiation; and a thin film waveguide capable of optical communication with said source, characterized in that said thin film waveguide exhibits essentially zero linear birefringence in the absence of an externally applied stress in relation to at least one wavelength of incident, linearly polarized light of any polarization orientation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical system of claim 9, further comprising a detector of electromagnetic radiation, capable of optical communication with said waveguide.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for fabricating a device, comprising the steps of: forming a thin film waveguide on a substrate, said waveguide exhibiting at least first and second components of linear birefringence, said first component being shape linear birefringence and said second component being of opposite sign to said first component, characterized in that said forming step includes the step of altering said first component until the algebraic sum of said at least first and second components in relation to at least one wavelength of light is essentially zero in the absence of an externally applied stress.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for fabricating a device, comprising the steps of: forming a thin film waveguide on a substrate, said waveguide exhibiting at least first and second components of linear birefringence, said first component being shape linear birefringence and said second component being of opposite sign to said first component, characterized in that said forming step includes the step of altering said first component until the algebraic sum of said at least first and second components in relation to at least one wavelength of light is essentially zero in the absence of an externally applied stress.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said second component of linear birefringence includes stress-induced linear birefringence.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said second component of linear birefringence includes growth-induced linear birefringence.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4220395A
Cited
JPS58190904A
Cited
US4737005A
Cited
US4691983A
Cited
US4671621A
Cited
US4762384A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |