US4906062A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated optical waveguide bend
Assignee: The General Electric Company PLC
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Filing: 1988-10-31
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Granted: 1990-03-06
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Expires: 2008-10-31
Abstract
Abstract An integrated optic device comprises a strip-like waveguide having a Z-bend to provide a lateral offset. Weak lateral guiding in the waveguide is provided by giving the waveguide a higher effective refractive index than that of the remaining material in that layer. In accordance with the invention, an edge guide region is formed in the same layer just outside each bend, and has an even greater effective refractive index. The edge guide regions minimize power loss at the bends.
Inventors
- 👤 Terence P. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:35
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An integrated optic device comprising an integrated optic waveguide of a first effective refractive index greater than that of a material or materials in which it is embedded to provide for the guiding of light along the waveguide, the waveguide having a bend in a principal plane, and an edge guide region of a second effective refractive index also greater than that of the surrounding material or materials positioned in the principal plane adjacent to the outside of the bend such as to decrease the light loss from the waveguide which would otherwise occur at the bend without the edge guide region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An integrated optic device comprising an integrated optic waveguide of a first effective refractive index greater than that of a material or materials in which it is embedded to provide for the guiding of light along the waveguide, the waveguide having a bend in a principal plane, and an edge guide region of a second effective refractive index also greater than that of the surrounding material or materials positioned in the principal plane adjacent to the outside of the bend such as to decrease the light loss from the waveguide which would otherwise occur at the bend without the edge guide region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide defined as a strip of a layer of material formed in the principal plane on a substrate, the refractive index of the layer being greater than that of the substrate, the said strip being overlain by a corresponding strip of a confining medium which gives the waveguide its said effective refractive index greater than that of the remainder of the layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 2, wherein the edge guide region is defined as a portion of the said layer overlain by a corresponding portion of a confining medium which gives the edge guide region its said second effective refractive index greater than that of the remainder of the layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 3, wherein the said confining media overlying the edge guide region and the waveguide are part of a 2-tier pattern formed on the said layer, the edge guide region being overlain by portions of both tiers and the waveguide being overlain by a portion of only the lower tier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 4 comprising at least one further structure on the same substrate, the structure comprising a channel overlain by a portion of only the lower tier pattern and an associated channel overlain by a portion of both tiers of the pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 5, wherein the further structure is a 2-mode interferometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 2, comprising a space in the said layer between the waveguide and the edge guide region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 7, wherein the width of the space is of the order of the width of the edge guide region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of manufacturing an integrated optic device in accordance with claim 2 in which the waveguide is defined by the selective removal of portions of the layer or layers formed on the substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 1 wherein the second effective refractive index is greater than the first effective refractive index.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 1, wherein the said bend is chamfered on the outside.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 11, wherein the edge guide region extends lengthwise of the waveguide over a distance of the order of the length of the chamfer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 1, comprising a series of two bends in opposite directions, each with a corresponding edge guide region positioned on the outside.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 1, wherein the or each edge guide region generally follows the contour of the outside edge of the bend of the waveguide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 1, wherein the or each edge guide region is generally strip-like.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 1, wherein the or each edge guide region is sufficiently narrow that it cannot support multimode light transmission.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 1, wherein the or each edge guide region is narrower than the waveguide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An integrated optic device according to claim 1, wherein the or each edge guide region is of the order of the width of the waveguide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4810049A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-09-04 | 1994-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-05 | 1997-09-04 | 1998-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-09-04 | 2002-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |