US4946239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical power isolator
Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corp
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Filing: 1988-09-27
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2008-09-27
Abstract
Abstract An optical isolator for improving the isolation between an optical source and a transmission link in an optical communications system. The optical isolator comprises a tapered lens including a core region and surrounding cladding material. The core region can be fabricated from graded or step index glass and the cladding can be fabricated from glass or polymer material. The core region can also be fabricated from graded or step index polymer material with the cladding fabricated from polymer material. An opaque disk of carbon-filled epoxy is deposited on the large diameter end of the optical isolator to further enhance isolation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff P. Garmon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:02
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4207; G02B6/02; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/1228; G02B6/26; G02B6/262
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for improving the isolation in an optical communications system between a coherent optical source and a transmission link comprising a tapered lens and including a core region and cladding material, said tapered lens having a large diameter input end and a small diameter output end wherein said core region exhibits a higher index of refraction than said cladding material such that light coupled into said input end is transmitted at low insertion loss to said output end, and light entering said output end and which feeds back to said coherent optical source is reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for improving the isolation in an optical communications system between a coherent optical source and a transmission link comprising a tapered lens and including a core region and cladding material, said tapered lens having a large diameter input end and a small diameter output end wherein said core region exhibits a higher index of refraction than said cladding material such that light coupled into said input end is transmitted at low insertion loss to said output end, and light entering said output end and which feeds back to said coherent optical source is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising an opaque disk deposited on the center of the input surface of said large diameter input end of said tapered lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said tapered lens includes a glass core having a step refractive index distribution and it is surrounded by a glass cladding material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said tapered lens includes a glass core having a step refractive index distribution and is surrounded by a polymer cladding material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said tapered lens includes a polymer core having a step refractive index distribution and is surrounded by a polymer cladding material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said tapered lens includes a glass core having a graded refractive index distribution and is surrounded by a glass cladding material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said tapered lens includes a glass core having a graded refractive index distribution and is surrounded by a polymer cladding material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said tapered lens includes a polymer core having a graded refractive index distribution and is surrounded by a polymer cladding material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
An efficient optical communication system comprising: a coherent optical source; a transmission link; and a tapered lens disposed between said coherent optical source and said transmission link, and having a large diameter input end and small diameter output end, and further including a core region and surrounding cladding material wherein light coupled into said input end from said optical source is transmitted with low insertion loss to said output end, and light entering said output end from said transmission link is attenuated before feeding back to said optical source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
An efficient optical communication system comprising: a coherent optical source; a transmission link; and a tapered lens disposed between said coherent optical source and said transmission link, and having a large diameter input end and small diameter output end, and further including a core region and surrounding cladding material wherein light coupled into said input end from said optical source is transmitted with low insertion loss to said output end, and light entering said output end from said transmission link is attenuated before feeding back to said optical source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said coherent optical source includes at least one semiconductor laser diode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said optical source includes at least one semiconductor laser diode having an optical fiber pigtail.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said transmission link includes at least one optical fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said transmission link includes collimating optics components.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical isolator for improving the isolation between a coherent optical source and a transmission link in an optical communications systems comprising a tapered lens, said tapered lens having a large diameter input end and a small diameter output end, and including a central cladding zone, a transmission region surrounding said central cladding zone, and an outer cladding zone surrounding said transmission region wherein said transmission region exhibits a higher index of refraction than either of said central and outer cladding zones to enhance light propagation in the transmission region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical isolator for improving the isolation between a coherent optical source and a transmission link in an optical communications systems comprising a tapered lens, said tapered lens having a large diameter input end and a small diameter output end, and including a central cladding zone, a transmission region surrounding said central cladding zone, and an outer cladding zone surrounding said transmission region wherein said transmission region exhibits a higher index of refraction than either of said central and outer cladding zones to enhance light propagation in the transmission region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical isolator of claim 14 wherein said tapered lens further comprises an opaque disk centered on said central cladding zone on said large diameter input end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |