US4896948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Simplified double-cavity tunable optical filter using voltage-dependent refractive index
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1989-02-21
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Granted: 1990-01-30
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Expires: 2009-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A tunable optical filter having a number cascaded resonator cavities with each cavity having electro-optic material in its interior. The resonator cavities will resonate at a select wavelength when the index of refraction of the electro-optic material is changed to a predetermined value in response to only a single control voltage. The index of refraction of the electro-optic material is adjusted to a predetermined value by application of the single control voltage to one of a pair of electrodes which are on opposite sides of the resonator cavities.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas R. Dono
- 👤 Paul E. Green, Jr.
- 👤 Philippe A. Perrier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:46
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/21; G02F1/03; G02F1/213; G02F1/216; G02F2203/00; G02F2203/05; G02F2203/055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A tunable optical filter, comprising: a plurality of resonator cavities, each of said resonator cavities having reflective surfaces at each of two ends of said cavities with an electro-optic material inside said each resonator cavity; a pair of electrodes at two opposite sides of said resonator cavities, with only a single control voltage being applied to one of said electrodes while the other of said electrodes is set at ground potential, the index of refraction of said electro-optic material in both of said cavities varying simultaneously with changes in said control voltage; said cavities resonating at a selected wavelength when optical signals are passed through said cavities and when the index of refraction of said electro-optic material is adjusted to a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A tunable optical filter, comprising: a plurality of resonator cavities, each of said resonator cavities having reflective surfaces at each of two ends of said cavities with an electro-optic material inside said each resonator cavity; a pair of electrodes at two opposite sides of said resonator cavities, with only a single control voltage being applied to one of said electrodes while the other of said electrodes is set at ground potential, the index of refraction of said electro-optic material in both of said cavities varying simultaneously with changes in said control voltage; said cavities resonating at a selected wavelength when optical signals are passed through said cavities and when the index of refraction of said electro-optic material is adjusted to a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tunable optical filter as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for varying the index of refraction comprises: a pair of electrodes with one of said electrodes being approximately parallel to the other of said electrodes, said electrodes being at two opposite sides of said resonator cavities, with only a single voltage being applied to one of said electrodes while the other of said electrodes is set to ground potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tunable optical filter as recited in claim 1, wherein said resonator cavities are cascaded with respect to each other with the cavities being arranged along a straight line and in between said electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
157 words
A tunable optical filter, comprising: a pair of resonator cavities, each of said resonator cavities having reflective surfaces at each of two ends of said cavities with an electro-optic material inside of said each resonator cavity, with the lengths of said cavities being in the ratio of integers; and a pair of electrodes at two opposite sides of said resonator cavities, with only a single control voltage being applied to one of said electrodes while the other of said electrodes is set at ground potential, the index of refraction of said electro-optic material in both of said cavities varying simultaneously with changes in said control voltage; said resonator cavities resonating at a selected wavelength when optical signals are passed through said cavities and when the index of refraction of said electro-optic material is adjusted to a predetermined value said cavities being arranged along a straight line cascaded with respect to each other and in between said electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
157 words
A tunable optical filter, comprising: a pair of resonator cavities, each of said resonator cavities having reflective surfaces at each of two ends of said cavities with an electro-optic material inside of said each resonator cavity, with the lengths of said cavities being in the ratio of integers; and a pair of electrodes at two opposite sides of said resonator cavities, with only a single control voltage being applied to one of said electrodes while the other of said electrodes is set at ground potential, the index of refraction of said electro-optic material in both of said cavities varying simultaneously with changes in said control voltage; said resonator cavities resonating at a selected wavelength when optical signals are passed through said cavities and when the index of refraction of said electro-optic material is adjusted to a predetermined value said cavities being arranged along a straight line cascaded with respect to each other and in between said electrodes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |