US4917451A — Waveguide structure using potassium titanyl phosp…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 111 words

In an electro-optic component having a housing with a dielectric waveguide structure disposed therein, the improvement comprising a mounting pedestal disposed between the housing and the dielectric waveguide structure, the pedestal being fabricated of a dielectric material, wherein the housing has a floor and a sidewall each of which is provided with a registered opening therein, wherein the pedestal is mounted on an L-shaped insert member having a first and a second leg, the leg of the insert having the pedestal thereon being received in the housing to close the opening in the floor thereon, with the other leg of the insert closing the opening in the sidewall of the housing.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 111 words

In an electro-optic component having a housing with a dielectric waveguide structure disposed therein, the improvement comprising a mounting pedestal disposed between the housing and the dielectric waveguide structure, the pedestal being fabricated of a dielectric material, wherein the housing has a floor and a sidewall each of which is provided with a registered opening therein, wherein the pedestal is mounted on an L-shaped insert member having a first and a second leg, the leg of the insert having the pedestal thereon being received in the housing to close the opening in the floor thereon, with the other leg of the insert closing the opening in the sidewall of the housing.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

The component of claim 1 wherein the dielectric material is dielectric microwave quartz.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 134 words

In combination with a waveguide structure having a channeled waveguide pattern thereon, a mounting clip arrangement comprising: a first and a second mounting element, each mounting element having a groove extending over a portion thereof, the first mounting element being abutted against the facet of the waveguide structure while the second mounting element overlies a portion of the waveguide structure, the first and second mounting elements being themselves overlaid such that the grooves therein cooperate to define a passage sized to receive the optical fiber therein, the optical fiber having a planar end face, the planar end face of the optical fiber lying in the passage a predetermined clearance distance from the facet of the waveguide structure, the end face of the fiber being aligned in a predetermined relationship with the channeled waveguide pattern.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 134 words

In combination with a waveguide structure having a channeled waveguide pattern thereon, a mounting clip arrangement comprising: a first and a second mounting element, each mounting element having a groove extending over a portion thereof, the first mounting element being abutted against the facet of the waveguide structure while the second mounting element overlies a portion of the waveguide structure, the first and second mounting elements being themselves overlaid such that the grooves therein cooperate to define a passage sized to receive the optical fiber therein, the optical fiber having a planar end face, the planar end face of the optical fiber lying in the passage a predetermined clearance distance from the facet of the waveguide structure, the end face of the fiber being aligned in a predetermined relationship with the channeled waveguide pattern.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 244 words

An electro-optic waveguide structure having a K 1-x Rb x TiOMO 4 single crystal substrate, wherein x is from 0 to 1 and M is P or As, having at least one smooth surface wherein sufficient cations have been replaced by ions selected from at least one of Rb(+), Cs(+) and Tl(+) ions, with the proviso that when x is at least about 0.8, the replacement ions are selected from at least one one of Cs+ and Tl+ ions, the substrate having a bulk index of refraction associated therewith, wherein the improvement comprises the region wherein the cations have been replaced defining a single mode channeled waveguide pattern in the substrate, the channeled waveguide pattern having a configuration including a first portion and a second portion contiguous to and communicating with the first, each portion having an axis therethrough, the axes defining a predetermined angle therebetween, the channeled waveguide pattern having an inferred surface index of refraction that is increased with respect to the bulk index of refraction of the starting crystal substrate by at least 0.0045, whereby an optical wave having a predetermined initial power level launched into the first portion of the channeled waveguide pattern undergoes at least one change of direction as the optical wave passes from the first portion to the second portion of the channeled waveguide pattern with at least sixty-nine percent (69%) of the initial power level of the optical wave being transmitted through the change of direction.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 244 words

An electro-optic waveguide structure having a K 1-x Rb x TiOMO 4 single crystal substrate, wherein x is from 0 to 1 and M is P or As, having at least one smooth surface wherein sufficient cations have been replaced by ions selected from at least one of Rb(+), Cs(+) and Tl(+) ions, with the proviso that when x is at least about 0.8, the replacement ions are selected from at least one one of Cs+ and Tl+ ions, the substrate having a bulk index of refraction associated therewith, wherein the improvement comprises the region wherein the cations have been replaced defining a single mode channeled waveguide pattern in the substrate, the channeled waveguide pattern having a configuration including a first portion and a second portion contiguous to and communicating with the first, each portion having an axis therethrough, the axes defining a predetermined angle therebetween, the channeled waveguide pattern having an inferred surface index of refraction that is increased with respect to the bulk index of refraction of the starting crystal substrate by at least 0.0045, whereby an optical wave having a predetermined initial power level launched into the first portion of the channeled waveguide pattern undergoes at least one change of direction as the optical wave passes from the first portion to the second portion of the channeled waveguide pattern with at least sixty-nine percent (69%) of the initial power level of the optical wave being transmitted through the change of direction.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

The waveguide structure of claim 4 wherein the channeled waveguide pattern has an inferred surface index of refraction that is increased with respect to the bulk index of refraction of the starting crystal substrate by at least 0.012.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 47 words

The waveguide structure of claim 5 wherein the channeled waveguide pattern extends into the substrate for a first predetermined distance and across the substrate for a second predetermined distance, each of the first and second distances being in the range from one-half (0.5) to ten (10) micrometers.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 88 words

The waveguide structure of claim 6 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer has a height h in micrometers and a bulk index of refraction n associated therewith, wherein the bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn, wherein the height h and the difference Δn in the bulk indices of refraction are such that the product (h•Δn) lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 112 words

The waveguide structure of claim 6 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer is itself comprised of two or more strata of material each of which has a predetermined bulk index of refraction associated therewith, such that the buffer layer has a total height h' in micrometers and an effective bulk index of refraction n' associated therewith, wherein the effective bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn', wherein the height h' and the difference Δn' are such that the product (h'•Δn') lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 6 wherein the single crystal substrate is KTiOPO 4 .

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 9 wherein the K(+) ions are replaced by Rb(+) ions.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 47 words

The waveguide structure of claim 4 wherein the channeled waveguide pattern extends into the substrate for a first predetermined distance and across the substrate for a second predetermined distance, each of the first and second distances being in the range from one-half (0.5) to ten (10) micrometers.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 88 words

The waveguide structure of claim 11 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer has a height h in micrometers and a bulk index of refraction n associated therewith, wherein the bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn, wherein the height h and the difference Δn in the bulk indices of refraction are such that the product (h•Δn) lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 112 words

The waveguide structure of claim 11 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer is itself comprised of two or more strata of material each of which has a predetermined bulk index of refraction associated therewith, such that the buffer layer has a total height h' in micrometers and an effective bulk index of refraction n' associated therewith, wherein the effective bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn', wherein the height h' and the difference Δn' are such that the product (h'•Δn') lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 11 wherein the single crystal substrate is KTiOPO 4 .

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 14 wherein the K(+) ions are replaced by Rb(+) ions.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 88 words

The waveguide structure of claim 4 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer has a height h in micrometers and a bulk index of refraction n associated therewith, wherein the bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn, wherein the height h and the difference Δn in the bulk indices of refraction are such that the product (h•Δn) lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 112 words

The waveguide structure of claim 4 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer is itself comprised of two or more strata of material each of which has a predetermined bulk index of refraction associated therewith, such that the buffer layer has a total height h' in micrometers and an effective bulk index of refraction n' associated therewith, wherein the effective bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn', wherein the height h' and the difference Δn' are such that the product (h'•Δn') lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 4 wherein the single crystal substrate is KTiOPO 4 .

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 18 wherein the K(+) ions are replaced by Rb(+) ions.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 301 words

An electro-optic waveguide structure having a K 1-x Rb x TiOMO 4 single crystal substrate, wherein x is from 0 to 1 and M is P or As, having at least one smooth surface wherein sufficient cations have been replaced by ions selected from at least one of Rb(+), Cs(+) and Tl(+) ions, with the proviso that when x is at least about 0.8, the replacement ions are selected from at least one one of Cs+ and Tl+ ions, the substrate having a bulk index of refraction associated therewith, wherein the improvement comprises: the region wherein the cations have been replaced defining a single mode channeled waveguide pattern in the substrate, the channeled waveguide pattern having a configuration of the interferometric type, the configuration of the channeled waveguide pattern being an input portion which diverges into respective first and second input transition portions, each transition portion being contiguous to and communicating with respective first and second interaction portions, the interaction portions being separated by a predetermined distance sufficient to preclude evanescent optical field coupling therebetween, the first and second interaction portions being each contiguous to and communicating with respective first and second output transition portions which converge to an output portion, the input portion and the first and second input transition portions being generally linear and each having an axis therethrough, the axis of the input portion and each of the axes of the transition portions respectively defining a predetermined angle therebetween, the channeled waveguide pattern having an inferred surface index of refraction that is increased with respect to the bulk index of refraction of the starting crystal by at least 0.0045 whereby at least twenty-two percent (22%) of the initial power of an optical wave launched into the input portion is transmitted from the input portion to the output portion.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 301 words

An electro-optic waveguide structure having a K 1-x Rb x TiOMO 4 single crystal substrate, wherein x is from 0 to 1 and M is P or As, having at least one smooth surface wherein sufficient cations have been replaced by ions selected from at least one of Rb(+), Cs(+) and Tl(+) ions, with the proviso that when x is at least about 0.8, the replacement ions are selected from at least one one of Cs+ and Tl+ ions, the substrate having a bulk index of refraction associated therewith, wherein the improvement comprises: the region wherein the cations have been replaced defining a single mode channeled waveguide pattern in the substrate, the channeled waveguide pattern having a configuration of the interferometric type, the configuration of the channeled waveguide pattern being an input portion which diverges into respective first and second input transition portions, each transition portion being contiguous to and communicating with respective first and second interaction portions, the interaction portions being separated by a predetermined distance sufficient to preclude evanescent optical field coupling therebetween, the first and second interaction portions being each contiguous to and communicating with respective first and second output transition portions which converge to an output portion, the input portion and the first and second input transition portions being generally linear and each having an axis therethrough, the axis of the input portion and each of the axes of the transition portions respectively defining a predetermined angle therebetween, the channeled waveguide pattern having an inferred surface index of refraction that is increased with respect to the bulk index of refraction of the starting crystal by at least 0.0045 whereby at least twenty-two percent (22%) of the initial power of an optical wave launched into the input portion is transmitted from the input portion to the output portion.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 61 words

The waveguide structure of claim 20 wherein the improvement further comprises the channeled waveguide pattern has an inferred surface index of refraction that is greater than the bulk index of refraction of the starting crystal by at least 0.012; and wherein at least forty-two percent (42%) of the initial power level is transmitted from the input portion to the output portion.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 47 words

The waveguide structure of claim 21 wherein the channeled waveguide pattern extends into the substrate for a first predetermined distance and across the substrate for a second predetermined distance, each of the first and second distances being in the range from one-half (0.5) to ten (10) micrometers.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 88 words

The waveguide structure of claim 22 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer has a height h in micrometers and a bulk index of refraction n associated therewith, wherein the bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn, wherein the height h and the difference Δn in the bulk indices of refraction are such that the product (h•Δn) lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 112 words

The waveguide structure of claim 22 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer is itself comprised of two or more strata of material each of which has a predetermined bulk index of refraction associated therewith, such that the buffer layer has a total height h' in micrometers and an effective bulk index of refraction n' associated therewith, wherein the effective bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn', wherein the height h' and the difference Δn' are such that the product (h'•Δn') lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 22 wherein the single crystal substrate is KTiOPO 4 .

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 25 wherein the K(+) ions are replaced by Rb(+) ions.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 47 words

The waveguide structure of claim 20 wherein the channeled waveguide pattern extends into the substrate for a first predetermined distance and across the substrate for a second predetermined distance, each of the first and second distances being in the range from one-half (0.5) to ten (10) micrometers.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 88 words

The waveguide structure of claim 27 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer has a height h in micrometers and a bulk index of refraction n associated therewith, wherein the bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn, wherein the height h and the difference Δn in the bulk indices of refraction are such that the product (h•Δn) lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 112 words

The waveguide structure of claim 27 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer is itself comprised of two or more strata of material each of which has a predetermined bulk index of refraction associated therewith, such that the buffer layer has a total height h' in micrometers and an effective bulk index of refraction n' associated therewith, wherein the effective bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn', wherein the height h' and the difference Δn' are such that the product (h'•Δn') lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 27 wherein the single crystal substrate is KTiOPO 4 .

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 30 wherein the K(+) ions are replaced by Rb(+) ions.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 88 words

The waveguide structure of claim 20 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer has a height h in micrometers and a bulk index of refraction n associated therewith, wherein the bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn, wherein the height h and the difference Δn in the bulk indices of refraction are such that the product (h•Δn) lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 100 words

The waveguide structure of claim 32 wherein the improvement further comprises a pair of electrodes arranged in a predetermined pattern with respect to the interaction portions of the channeled waveguide pattern such that the first electrode overlies the first interaction portion and the second electrode overlies the second interaction portion, the first electrode having a predetermined length dimension and a predetermined width dimension associated therewith, the width dimension varying along the length of the first electrode, the first electrode being spaced from the second electrode along the entire length of the first electrode to define a predetermined gap dimension therebetween.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 53 words

The waveguide structure of claim 33 wherein the improvement further comprises: the ratio of the width dimension of the first electrode along its length to the gap dimension along the same length being in the range 0.1 to 150, the first and second electrodes cooperating to define a traveling waveguide for microwave energy.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 39 words

The waveguide structure of claim 33 wherein the improvement further comprises: the ratio of the width dimension of the first electrode along its length to the gap dimension along the same length being in the range 0.8 to 113.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 81 words

The waveguide structure of claim 32 wherein the improvement further comprises: a pair of electrodes arranged in a predetermined pattern with respect to the interaction portion of the channeled waveguide pattern such that the first electrode overlies the first interaction portion of the waveguide pattern and the second electrode overlies the second interaction portion of the waveguide pattern, the first electrode having a predetermined width dimension associated therewith, wherein the width dimension is in the range from twenty to fifty micrometers.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 21 words

The waveguide structure of claim 36 wherein the improvement further comprises: an inductor element connecting in series with the first electrode.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 81 words

The waveguide structure of claim 32 wherein the improvement further comprises: a pair of electrodes arranged in a predetermined pattern with respect to the interaction portion of the channeled waveguide pattern such that the first electrode overlies the first interaction portion of the waveguide pattern and the second electrode overlies the second interaction portion of the waveguide pattern, the first electrode having a predetermined width dimension associated therewith, wherein the width dimension is in the range from five to twenty micrometers.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 21 words

The waveguide structure of claim 38 wherein the improvement further comprises: an inductor element connecting in series with the first electrode.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 112 words

The waveguide structure of claim 20 having a buffer layer thereon, wherein the improvement further comprises the buffer layer is itself comprised of two or more strata of material each of which has a predetermined bulk index of refraction associated therewith, such that the buffer layer has a total height h' in micrometers and an effective bulk index of refraction n' associated therewith, wherein the effective bulk index of refraction of the buffer layer is less than the bulk index of refraction of the substrate by a number Δn', wherein the height h' and the difference Δn' are such that the product (h'•Δn') lies in the range between 0.01 and 1.0 micrometers.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 100 words

The waveguide structure of claim 40 wherein the improvement further comprises a pair of electrodes arranged in a predetermined pattern with respect to the interaction portions of the channeled waveguide pattern such that the first electrode overlies the first interaction portion and the second electrode overlies the second interaction portion, the first electrode having a predetermined length dimension and a predetermined width dimension associated therewith, the width dimension varying along the length of the first electrode, the first electrode being spaced from the second electrode along the entire length of the first electrode to define a predetermined gap dimension therebetween.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 53 words

The waveguide structure of claim 41 wherein the improvement further comprises: the ratio of the width dimension of the first electrode along its length to the gap dimension along the same length being in the range 0.1 to 150, the first and second electrodes cooperating to define a traveling waveguide for microwave energy.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 39 words

The waveguide structure of claim 41 wherein the improvement further comprises: the ratio of the width dimension of the first electrode along its length to the gap dimension along the same length being in the range 0.8 to 113.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 14 words

The waveguide structure of claim 20 wherein single crystal substrate is KTiOPO 4 .

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 15 words

The waveguide structure of claim 44 wherein the K(+) ions are replaced by Rb(+) ions.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 274 words

An electro-optic waveguide structure having a K 1-x Rb x TiOMO 4 single crystal substrate, wherein x is from 0 to 1 and M is P or As, having at least one smooth surface wherein sufficient cations have been replaced by ions selected from at least one of Rb(+), Cs(+) and Tl(+) ions, with the proviso that when x is at least about 0.8, the replacement ions are selected from at least one one of Cs+ and Tl+ ions, the substrate having a bulk index of refraction associated therewith, wherein the improvement comprises: the region wherein the cations have been replaced defining a channeled waveguide pattern in the substrate, the waveguide having a configuration of the directional coupler type, the configuration of the channeled waveguide pattern having a first input portion and a second input portion which converge toward each other, each input portion being contiguous to and in communication with a respective first and second interaction portion; the interaction portions being spaced apart by a predetermined distance over some predetermined portion of their length sufficient to allow evanescent optical field coupling between the interaction portions, each input portion and its respective interaction portion being generally linear and having an axis therethrough, the axes of each input portion and its respective interaction portion defining a predetermined angle therebetween, the channeled waveguide pattern having an index of refraction that is greater than the bulk index of refraction of the starting crystal by at least 0.0045, whereby at least twenty-two percent (22%) of the predetermined initial power level of an optical wave launched into one of the input portions is transmitted into the associated interaction portion.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 274 words

An electro-optic waveguide structure having a K 1-x Rb x TiOMO 4 single crystal substrate, wherein x is from 0 to 1 and M is P or As, having at least one smooth surface wherein sufficient cations have been replaced by ions selected from at least one of Rb(+), Cs(+) and Tl(+) ions, with the proviso that when x is at least about 0.8, the replacement ions are selected from at least one one of Cs+ and Tl+ ions, the substrate having a bulk index of refraction associated therewith, wherein the improvement comprises: the region wherein the cations have been replaced defining a channeled waveguide pattern in the substrate, the waveguide having a configuration of the directional coupler type, the configuration of the channeled waveguide pattern having a first input portion and a second input portion which converge toward each other, each input portion being contiguous to and in communication with a respective first and second interaction portion; the interaction portions being spaced apart by a predetermined distance over some predetermined portion of their length sufficient to allow evanescent optical field coupling between the interaction portions, each input portion and its respective interaction portion being generally linear and having an axis therethrough, the axes of each input portion and its respective interaction portion defining a predetermined angle therebetween, the channeled waveguide pattern having an index of refraction that is greater than the bulk index of refraction of the starting crystal by at least 0.0045, whereby at least twenty-two percent (22%) of the predetermined initial power level of an optical wave launched into one of the input portions is transmitted into the associated interaction portion.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-04-16	1993-10-16	1994-04-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-04-16	1997-10-16	1998-04-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-04-16	2001-10-16	2002-04-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Waveguide structure using potassium titanyl phosphate

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