US5228103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Monolithically integrated wavelength division multiplexing laser array
Assignee: University of Maryland, Baltimore
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Filing: 1992-08-17
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2012-08-17
Abstract
Abstract An active monolithic optical device for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) incorporating diode laser arrays, an output coupling waveguide and a curved Rowland circle based grating to produce a plurality of individual laser beams at slightly different wavelengths is integrated in a common electro-optic material. The wavelength of each laser source is determined by the geometry of the array and the diffraction grating design. The output of all the channels can be collected into a concentrator or lens to be multiplexed in a single output. Applications include a WDM optical amplifier and WDM laser source.
Inventors
- 👤 Yung J. Chen
- 👤 John Hryniewicz
- 👤 Pierre Goubet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/12; G01J3/18; G01J3/20; G01J3/02; G01J3/0256; G01J3/0259; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/124; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29304; G02B6/29316; G02B6/29325; G02B6/29326; G02B6/29328; G02B6/29379; G02B6/29395; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An active integrated and monolithic optical waveguide device used for wavelength division multiplexing of multiple wavelength optical signals using an extended laser cavity configuration in combination with diffraction grating comprising: at least one first commonly directed array of diode lasers which are an input signal means to the device whose lased light is directed at a corresponding grating, a corresponding multiple optical coupling waveguide means positioned symmetrically on the device with respect to the first array of diode lasers and a surface normal of the corresponding diffraction grating's centerline, the corresponding diffraction grating is etched in accordance with a Rowland circle designed optical properties and the first laser array placement on the optical device whereby light from the commonly directed first array of diode lasers impinges upon the grating and a selected diffraction order signal output is concentrated into a single multiplexed output signal through an output optical means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An active integrated and monolithic optical waveguide device used for wavelength division multiplexing of multiple wavelength optical signals using an extended laser cavity configuration in combination with diffraction grating comprising: at least one first commonly directed array of diode lasers which are an input signal means to the device whose lased light is directed at a corresponding grating, a corresponding multiple optical coupling waveguide means positioned symmetrically on the device with respect to the first array of diode lasers and a surface normal of the corresponding diffraction grating's centerline, the corresponding diffraction grating is etched in accordance with a Rowland circle designed optical properties and the first laser array placement on the optical device whereby light from the commonly directed first array of diode lasers impinges upon the grating and a selected diffraction order signal output is concentrated into a single multiplexed output signal through an output optical means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the diode lasers are Bragg diffraction lasers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the corresponding multiple optical coupling waveguide means is a second commonly directed array of diode lasers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the second commonly directed array of diode lasers is an output coupling means for an amplified output signal from the device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 3 wherein several corresponding first and second array of diode lasers are arranged around a common planar center of curvature whereby the multiplexed output signals from each corresponding first and second arrays of lasers forms a single concentrated signal for transmission to the output means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the grating is a planar grating construction that is etched in accordance with a rolling Rowland circle design geometry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the grating is a circular grating construction that is etched in accordance with a classical Rowland circle design geometry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the grating is an electro-optic grating for a wavelength tuning means of the input signals to the device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the first commonly directed array of diode lasers have dual gates where one of the gates is a wavelength tuning means of the device's input signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the output optical means is a concentrator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the output optical means is a lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the grating is an electro-optic grating for a wavelength tuning means of the input signals to the device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the first commonly directed array of diode lasers have dual gates where one of the gates is a wavelength tuning means of the device's input signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the output optical means is a lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
118 words
An active integrated and monolithic optical waveguide device used for wavelength division multiplexing of multiple wavelength optical signals using an extended laser cavity configuration in combination with diffraction grating comprising: at least one first commonly directed array of diode lasers which are an input signal means to the device whose lased light is directed at a corresponding grating, the corresponding diffraction grating is etched in accordance with a Rowland circle designed optical properties and the first laser array placement on the optical device whereby light from the commonly directed first array of diode lasers impinges upon the grating and a selected diffraction order signal output is concentrated into a single multiplexed output signal through an output optical means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
118 words
An active integrated and monolithic optical waveguide device used for wavelength division multiplexing of multiple wavelength optical signals using an extended laser cavity configuration in combination with diffraction grating comprising: at least one first commonly directed array of diode lasers which are an input signal means to the device whose lased light is directed at a corresponding grating, the corresponding diffraction grating is etched in accordance with a Rowland circle designed optical properties and the first laser array placement on the optical device whereby light from the commonly directed first array of diode lasers impinges upon the grating and a selected diffraction order signal output is concentrated into a single multiplexed output signal through an output optical means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the grating is a planar grating construction that is etched in accordance with a rolling Rowland circle design geometry.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the grating is a circular grating construction that is etched in accordance with a classical Rowland circle design geometry.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the grating is an electro-optic grating for a wavelength tuning means of the input signals to the device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the first commonly directed array of diode lasers have dual gates where one of the gates is a wavelength tuning means of the device's input signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the output optical means is a concentrator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the output optical means is a lens.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the diode lasers are Bragg diffraction lasers.
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |