US4974931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wavelength selective mode couplers
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1989-11-13
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Granted: 1990-12-04
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Expires: 2009-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A mode coupler is disclosed which utilizes a circularly symmetric perturbation in an electromagnetic waveguide. Due to the circular symmetry of the perturbation, exact cross-sectional alignment of the perturbations is not needed when several of the devices are cascaded. Further, the mode coupling response is wavelength dependent, and therefore, may be employed in electromagnetic filtering applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Craig D. Poole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/02057; G02B6/02071; G02B6/10; G02B6/14; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29331; G02B6/29379; G02B6/29389; G02B6/02047; G02B6/29344
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A wavelength selective mode coupler for optical energy, the optical energy being comprised of low frequencies below a first predetermined value, high frequencies above a second predetermined value, and midrange frequencies between the first and the second predetermined values, the mode coupler comprising: a waveguide capable of supporting at least a first mode and a second mode, the waveguide including: an input, for receiving optical energy in a first mode, a substantially circularly symmetric perturbation of a predetermined period, the period being such that energy at the low frequencies and at the high frequencies remains in the first mode, energy at a predetermined frequency of the midrange frequencies is substantially coupled entirely from the first mode to the second mode, and energy at the midrange frequencies and not at the predetermined frequency is coupled to the second mode by an amount which varies with frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A wavelength selective mode coupler for optical energy, the optical energy being comprised of low frequencies below a first predetermined value, high frequencies above a second predetermined value, and midrange frequencies between the first and the second predetermined values, the mode coupler comprising: a waveguide capable of supporting at least a first mode and a second mode, the waveguide including: an input, for receiving optical energy in a first mode, a substantially circularly symmetric perturbation of a predetermined period, the period being such that energy at the low frequencies and at the high frequencies remains in the first mode, energy at a predetermined frequency of the midrange frequencies is substantially coupled entirely from the first mode to the second mode, and energy at the midrange frequencies and not at the predetermined frequency is coupled to the second mode by an amount which varies with frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wavelength selective mode coupler according to claim 1 wherein said substantially circularly symmetric perturbation is helical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A wavelength selective mode coupler according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said substantially circularly symmetric perturbation is formed by wrapping a wire of predetermined diameter around said waveguide a predetermined number of times and at a predetermined tension to form a predetermined number of spirals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A wavelength selective mode coupler according to claim 3, further comprising: a first mode stripper, arranged to receive an optical signal, to strip substantially all energy not in a predetermined mode, and to transmit energy within the predetermined mode to the waveguide, and a second mode stripper arranged to receive an optical signal from the output of the waveguide and to strip substantially all the energy not in a predetermined mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
A wavelength selective mode coupler according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising: a first mode stripper, arranged to receive an optical signal, to strip substantially all energy not in a predetermined mode, and to transmit energy within the predetermined mode to the input of the waveguide, and a second mode stripper, arranged to receive an optical signal from the output of the waveguide and to strip substantially all the energy not in a predetermined mode.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of coupling optical energy in a first mode from the first mode to a second mode the method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting the optical energy in the first mode into a waveguide; (b) passing the optical energy through a substantially circularly symmetric perturbation in the waveguide, for coupling selected wavelengths of the optical energy from the first mode to a second mode and maintaining wavelengths not selected in the first mode, and (c) outputting the optical energy obtained in step (b) from the waveguide.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of coupling optical energy in a first mode from the first mode to a second mode the method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting the optical energy in the first mode into a waveguide; (b) passing the optical energy through a substantially circularly symmetric perturbation in the waveguide, for coupling selected wavelengths of the optical energy from the first mode to a second mode and maintaining wavelengths not selected in the first mode, and (c) outputting the optical energy obtained in step (b) from the waveguide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein said substantially circularly symmetric perturbation is helical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 6 or 7 wherein step (a) includes the step of (a1) passing the optical energy through a first mode stripper for stripping substantially all energy not within the first mode, and step (c) of outputting includes the step of (c1) passing the optical energy through a second mode stripper for stripping substantially all energy not within the first mode.
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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) | 1993-12-03 | 1994-06-04 | 1994-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-03 | 1998-06-04 | 1998-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-03 | 2002-06-04 | 2002-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |