← Back to Patent Explorer
US4962985A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Protective coatings for optical devices comprising Langmuir-Blodgett films

Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
•
Filing: 1989-10-02
•
Granted: 1990-10-16
•
Expires: 2009-10-02
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A semiconductor optical device, such as a photodetector or a semiconductor laser, is sealed by a Langmuir-Blodgett film that intercepts the optical path extending from the device. The film is less than one-thirtieth of a wavelength at the operating optical frequency, which precludes interference with transmitted light waves.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jane D. LeGrange

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 22:55
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; H10H20/84; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/02; H01S5/028; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/30; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31721

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 124 words
An optical communication system comprising: a first optical device adapted to be optically coupled to a second optical device by light of a predetermined optical frequency transmitted along an optical path extending between the first and second optical devices; said first optical device being of a type that is susceptible to deterioration if exposed over a period of time to atmospheric contaminants; means comprising a Langmuir-Blodgett film convering at least part of the first optical device for sealing said first optical device, thereby preventing water vapor molecules and other atmospheric contaminants from contacting the first optical device; said Langmuir-Blodgett film extending across said optical path; said Langmuir-Blodgett film having a thickness of less than one-thirtieth the wavelength of said light at said optical frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 124 words
An optical communication system comprising: a first optical device adapted to be optically coupled to a second optical device by light of a predetermined optical frequency transmitted along an optical path extending between the first and second optical devices; said first optical device being of a type that is susceptible to deterioration if exposed over a period of time to atmospheric contaminants; means comprising a Langmuir-Blodgett film convering at least part of the first optical device for sealing said first optical device, thereby preventing water vapor molecules and other atmospheric contaminants from contacting the first optical device; said Langmuir-Blodgett film extending across said optical path; said Langmuir-Blodgett film having a thickness of less than one-thirtieth the wavelength of said light at said optical frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The optical communication system of claim 1 wherein: said first optical device is a semiconductor photodetector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The optical communication system of claim 1 wherein: said first optical device is a semiconductor laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The optical communication system of claim 1 wherein: said Langmuir-Blodgett film consists of a polyimide composition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The optical communication system of claim 4 wherein: said first optical device is a semiconductor photodetector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The optical communication system of claim 4 wherein: said first optical device is a semiconductor laser.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4536450A Cited
US4818616A Cited
US4696838A Cited
US4822853A Cited
US4659177A Cited
US4794045A Cited
US4728576A Cited
US4830952A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-10-15 1994-04-16 1994-10-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-10-15 1998-04-16 1998-10-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-10-15 2002-04-16 2002-10-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag