US5121453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Polarization independent narrow channel wavelength division multiplexing fiber coupler and method for producing same
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1991-06-12
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Granted: 1992-06-09
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Expires: 2011-06-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a method for fabricating a polarization independent narrow channel wavelength division multiplexing fiber optic coupler, comprising the steps of: holding two optical fibers in an abutting longitudinal relation along a predetermined length of the fibers; injecting light energy into one of the fibers; fusing the optical fibers together along the predetermined length to form a fused length of a fiber optic coupler; elongating the fused length of the fusing optical fibers; measuring the light energy output from the ends of the first and second fibers; ceasing the fusing and elongating when the measured light energy output from the ends of the first and second fibers indicates that a predetermined number, N S , of one-half power transfer cycles have occurred in the coupler, where the N S th one-half power transfer cycle occurs within a Kπ phase region of a polarization envelope associated with the coupler, where K is a positive integer.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Orazi
- 👤 Matthew N. McLandrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29331; G02B6/29332; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2821; G02B6/2835; G02B6/2843
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for fabricating a polarization independent narrow channel wavelength division multiplexing fiber optic coupler, comprising the steps of: holding two optical fibers in an abutting longitudinal relation along a predetermined length of said fibers; injecting light energy into one of said optical fibers; fusing said optical fibers together along said predetermined length to form a fused length of a fiber optic coupler; elongating said fused length of said fusing optical fibers; measuring said light energy output from the ends of said optical fibers; and ceasing said fusing and elongating when said measured light energy output from the ends of said optical fibers indicates that a predetermined number, N s , of one-half power transfer cycles have occurred in said coupler, where said N s th one-half power transfer cycle occurs within an Kπ phase region of a polarization envelope associated with said coupler, where K is a positive integer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for fabricating a polarization independent narrow channel wavelength division multiplexing fiber optic coupler, comprising the steps of: holding two optical fibers in an abutting longitudinal relation along a predetermined length of said fibers; injecting light energy into one of said optical fibers; fusing said optical fibers together along said predetermined length to form a fused length of a fiber optic coupler; elongating said fused length of said fusing optical fibers; measuring said light energy output from the ends of said optical fibers; and ceasing said fusing and elongating when said measured light energy output from the ends of said optical fibers indicates that a predetermined number, N s , of one-half power transfer cycles have occurred in said coupler, where said N s th one-half power transfer cycle occurs within an Kπ phase region of a polarization envelope associated with said coupler, where K is a positive integer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said step of injecting includes generating said light energy having predetermined wavelength;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 which further includes the step of: shifting a sequence of said power transfer cycles which fall within said Kπ phase region of said polarization envelope by fusing said first and second fibers along a length different from said predetermined length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 which further includes the step of: etching said two optical fibers before the step of fusing said optical fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
177 words
A polarization independent narrow channel wavelength division multiplexing fiber optic coupler, comprising: a first optical fiber: a second optical fiber operably coupled to said first optical fiber by: holding said first and second optical fibers in an abutting longitudinal relation along a predetermined length of said fibers; fusing said first and second optical fibers together along said predetermined length to form a fused length of a fiber optic coupler; elongating said fused length of said fusing first and second optical fibers; injecting light energy into one of said first and second optical fibers; measuring said light energy output from the ends of said first and second optical fibers; and ceasing said fusing and elongating when said measured light energy output from the ends of said first and second optical fibers indicates that a predetermined number, N s , of one-half power transfer cycles have occurred in said coupler, where said N s th one-half power transfer cycle occurs within an Kπ phase region of a polarization envelope associated with said coupler, where K is a positive integer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
177 words
A polarization independent narrow channel wavelength division multiplexing fiber optic coupler, comprising: a first optical fiber: a second optical fiber operably coupled to said first optical fiber by: holding said first and second optical fibers in an abutting longitudinal relation along a predetermined length of said fibers; fusing said first and second optical fibers together along said predetermined length to form a fused length of a fiber optic coupler; elongating said fused length of said fusing first and second optical fibers; injecting light energy into one of said first and second optical fibers; measuring said light energy output from the ends of said first and second optical fibers; and ceasing said fusing and elongating when said measured light energy output from the ends of said first and second optical fibers indicates that a predetermined number, N s , of one-half power transfer cycles have occurred in said coupler, where said N s th one-half power transfer cycle occurs within an Kπ phase region of a polarization envelope associated with said coupler, where K is a positive integer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fiber optic coupler of claim 5 wherein: said step of injecting includes generating said light energy having predetermined wavelength.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The fiber optic coupler of claim 6 wherein: said first and second optical fibers are operably coupled by shifting a sequence of said power transfer cycles which fall within said Kπ phase region of said polarization envelope by fusing said first and second fibers along a length different from said predetermined length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fiber optic coupler of claim 7 wherein: said first and second optical fibers are etched before fusing said first and second optical fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
A polarization independent narrow channel wavelength division multiplexing fiber optic coupler, comprising: a first optical fiber; and a second optical fiber operably coupled to said first optical fiber to form a fiber optic coupler having a channel cross-talk of less than -20 dB within 1 nm of a first wavelength of randomly polarized light injected into said first optical fiber, and within 1 nm of a second wavelength of randomly polarized light injected into said second optical fiber, and said fiber optic coupler having a wavelength spacing ≦35 nm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
A polarization independent narrow channel wavelength division multiplexing fiber optic coupler, comprising: a first optical fiber; and a second optical fiber operably coupled to said first optical fiber to form a fiber optic coupler having a channel cross-talk of less than -20 dB within 1 nm of a first wavelength of randomly polarized light injected into said first optical fiber, and within 1 nm of a second wavelength of randomly polarized light injected into said second optical fiber, and said fiber optic coupler having a wavelength spacing ≦35 nm.
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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) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-12-09 | 1996-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-09 | 1999-12-09 | 2000-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-12-09 | 2004-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |