US5011264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wide linear dynamic range optical modulator
Assignee: Tacan Corp
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Filing: 1989-12-28
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Granted: 1991-04-30
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Expires: 2009-12-28
Abstract
Abstract An optical modulator for generating an amplitude modulated optical signal. A signal generator generates an optical signal that is optically coupled to a tunable filter which shares a common optical axis with the signal generator. The tunable filter wavelength response varies in response to an electrical input control signal thereby providing an output amplitude modulated optical signal. An optical isolator is located between and shares a common optical axis with the signal generator and the tunable filter. The optical isolator is for preventing optical signals originating at the filter, traveling toward the signal generator, from impinging on the signal generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric M. Bradley
- 👤 Ronald F. Mathis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:14
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/035; G02F2203/00; G02F2203/05; G02F2203/055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for generating an amplitude modulated optical signal comprising: signal generation means for generating an input optical signal at a wavelength; tunable filter means, sharing a common optical axis with said signal generation means, for receiving said optical signal, said filter means responsive to an input control signal for varying the amplitude of said optical signal in a manner linear with said wavelength and for providing an output amplitude modulated optical signal; and optical isolator means, located between and sharing said common optical axis with said signal generation means and said filter means, for preventing optical signals originating at said filter means traveling towards said signal generation means from impinging on said signal generation means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for generating an amplitude modulated optical signal comprising: signal generation means for generating an input optical signal at a wavelength; tunable filter means, sharing a common optical axis with said signal generation means, for receiving said optical signal, said filter means responsive to an input control signal for varying the amplitude of said optical signal in a manner linear with said wavelength and for providing an output amplitude modulated optical signal; and optical isolator means, located between and sharing said common optical axis with said signal generation means and said filter means, for preventing optical signals originating at said filter means traveling towards said signal generation means from impinging on said signal generation means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said signal generation means, said tunable filter means, and said optical isolator means are all formed on a common semiconductor substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal generation means comprises a wavelength stabilized laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said laser is a distributed feedback laser diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said laser further comprises a distributed Bragg reflector coupled thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter means comprises: an optical waveguide formed of electro-optically active material and having a corrugated grating topology along a face parallel to the optical axis of said wave guide, wherein striations of said grating are transverse to said optical axis; and tuning means comprising first and second electrodes each disposed on an opposite side of said optical waveguide for inducing an electrical field through said waveguide transverse to said optical axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said grating has a corrugation depth variation with distance having a Fourier transform curve which has a certain wavelength band wherein the slope of said curve is constant and not equal to zero.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the corrugation depth of said grating is at a minimum at the longitudinal ends of said optical waveguide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter means comprises: an optical waveguide formed of electro-optically active material; a dielectric layer formed upon said waveguide and having a corrugated grating topology along a face parallel to the optical axis of said wave guide, wherein striations of said grating are transverse to said optical axis, together with said waveguide for, and further, wherein said grating has a corrugation depth variation with distance having a Fourier transform curve which has a certain wavelength band wherein the slope of said curve is constant and not equal to zero; and tuning means for inducing an electrical field through said waveguide transverse to said optical axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said grating has a corrugation depth variation with distance having a Fourier transform curve which has a certain wavelength band wherein the slope of said curve is constant and not equal to zero.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the corrugation depth of said grating is at a minimum at the longitudinal ends of said optical waveguide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter means exhibits a wavelength response having at least a certain wavelength band wherein optical transmissivity varies substantially linearly with change in wavelength.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the center of said certain wavelength band shifts in response to a variation of said electrical filter control signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the wavelength of said optical signal lies within said certain wavelength band.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said certain wavelength band is a region of the long wavelength roll-off of said wavelength response, and further wherein the corner wavelength of said roll-off is capable of shifting in response to the variation of said electrical filter control signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
117 words
An optical modulator comprising: a substrate; an electro-optically active layer formed upon said substrate, said active layer further defining an elongated mesa, said mesa having a corrugated grating topology along a face parallel to the elongation of said mesa, wherein the striations of said grating are transverse to said optical axis, and further, wherein said grating has a corrugation depth variation with distance having a Fourier transform curve which has a certain wavelength band wherein the slope of said curve is constant and not equal to zero; and first and second electrodes comprising elongated strips of conductive material formed on either side of said mesa on said electro-optically active layer, running the substantial length of said mesa.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
117 words
An optical modulator comprising: a substrate; an electro-optically active layer formed upon said substrate, said active layer further defining an elongated mesa, said mesa having a corrugated grating topology along a face parallel to the elongation of said mesa, wherein the striations of said grating are transverse to said optical axis, and further, wherein said grating has a corrugation depth variation with distance having a Fourier transform curve which has a certain wavelength band wherein the slope of said curve is constant and not equal to zero; and first and second electrodes comprising elongated strips of conductive material formed on either side of said mesa on said electro-optically active layer, running the substantial length of said mesa.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical modulator of claim 16 wherein said corrugated grating is formed using electron beam photolithographic techniques.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical modulator of claim 16 wherein said corrugated grating is formed using holographic photolithographic techniques.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical modulator comprising: a substrate; an electro-optically active layer formed upon said substrate, said active layer further defining an elongated mesa; a dielectric layer formed upon said mesa and having a corrugated grating topology along a face parallel to the elongation of said mesa, wherein striations of said grating are transverse to said optical axis; and first and second electrodes comprising elongated strips of conductive material formed on said electro-optically active layer on either side of said mesa, running the substantial length of said mesa.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical modulator comprising: a substrate; an electro-optically active layer formed upon said substrate, said active layer further defining an elongated mesa; a dielectric layer formed upon said mesa and having a corrugated grating topology along a face parallel to the elongation of said mesa, wherein striations of said grating are transverse to said optical axis; and first and second electrodes comprising elongated strips of conductive material formed on said electro-optically active layer on either side of said mesa, running the substantial length of said mesa.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical modulator of claim 19 wherein said corrugated grating is formed using electron beam photolithographic techniques.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical modulator of claim 19 wherein said corrugated grating is formed using holographic photolithographic techniques.
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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) | 1994-04-29 | 1994-10-29 | 1995-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-29 | 1998-10-29 | 1999-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-29 | 2002-10-29 | 2003-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |