US5276746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polarization independent optical tap
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1992-06-24
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Granted: 1994-01-04
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Expires: 2012-06-24
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the invention an integrated optic device useful as a low level polarization independent optical tap comprises a pair of optical waveguides intersecting at an angle of 10°-25° to provide a tap signal in the range minus 20 dB to minus 60 dB. In a preferred embodiment for use in a passive repeater for undersea cable, the device comprises fiber-matching waveguides of phosphorus silicate glass on an oxide covered silicon substrate with a boron and phosphorus silicate cladding. The waveguides preferably intersect at an angle of 13°-16°. The preferred repeater further comprises a 3 dB coupler for averaging the power provided by two external pumping sources and a pair of wavelength division multiplexers for applying the pumping power to the outputs of the tap.
Inventors
- 👤 Renen Adar
- 👤 Charles H. Henry
- 👤 Rudolf F. Kazarinov
- 👤 Michele A. Milbrodt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/07; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/125; H04B10/03; H04B10/035; H04B10/25; H04B10/2507; H04B10/2572; H04B10/29; H04B10/291; H04B10/2912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An optical tap for providing to each of two optical waveguides a low level signal from the other comprising: a pair of optical waveguides for carrying respective optical signals S 1 and S 2 ; a region of intersection of said waveguides wherein said waveguides intersect at an angle of 10°-25° for providing output signals S 1 +εS 2 and S 2 +εS 1 wherein εS 1 and εS 2 are substantially independent of the polarization of S 1 and S 2 and are reduced by minus 20 dB to minus 60 dB from S 1 and S 2 respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical tap for providing to each of two optical waveguides a low level signal from the other comprising: a pair of optical waveguides for carrying respective optical signals S 1 and S 2 ; a region of intersection of said waveguides wherein said waveguides intersect at an angle of 10°-25° for providing output signals S 1 +εS 2 and S 2 +εS 1 wherein εS 1 and εS 2 are substantially independent of the polarization of S 1 and S 2 and are reduced by minus 20 dB to minus 60 dB from S 1 and S 2 respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical tap of claim 1 wherein said waveguides intersect at an angle of 13°-16°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical device of claim 1 wherein said waveguides comprise phosphorus silicate glass overlying a silicon substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
In an integrated optic passive repeater for a two way optical communications system of the type comprising tap means for receiving signals S 1 and S 2 and providing low level loop back signals εS 2 to S 1 εS 1 to S 2 and coupler means for providing pumping power signals for amplification of S 1 and S 2 , the improvement wherein said tap means comprises a pair of optical waveguides for receiving S 1 and S 2 respectively, said waveguides intersecting at an angle 10°≦θ≦25° in order to provide output signals S 2 +εS 1 and S 1 +εS 2 containing loop back signals εS 2 and εS 1 respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
In an integrated optic passive repeater for a two way optical communications system of the type comprising tap means for receiving signals S 1 and S 2 and providing low level loop back signals εS 2 to S 1 εS 1 to S 2 and coupler means for providing pumping power signals for amplification of S 1 and S 2 , the improvement wherein said tap means comprises a pair of optical waveguides for receiving S 1 and S 2 respectively, said waveguides intersecting at an angle 10°≦θ≦25° in order to provide output signals S 2 +εS 1 and S 1 +εS 2 containing loop back signals εS 2 and εS 1 respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said loop back signals εS 1 and εS 2 are minus 20 dB to minus 60 dB down from signals S 1 and S 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said loop back signals εS 1 and εS 2 are independent of the polarization of S 1 and S 2 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said coupler means comprises a 3 dB directional coupler for receiving a pair of pumping signals P 1 and P 2 and providing a pair of output signals P each equal to the average of P 1 and P 2 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 4 further comprising: a first wavelength division multiplexer means for receiving S 2 +εS 1 and P and for applying P to the S 2 +εS 1 signal; a second wavelength division multiplexer means for receiving S 1 +εS 2 and P and for applying P to the S 1 +εS 1 signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said wavelength division multiplexers are Mach-Zehnder interferometers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said integrated optic passive repeater comprises a silicon substrate, a layer of silicon oxide on said substrate, and a plurality of phosphorus silicate waveguides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
7 words
The device of claim 4 wherein 13°≦θ≦16°.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-03 | 1997-07-05 | 1998-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-03 | 2001-07-05 | 2002-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-03 | 2005-07-05 | 2006-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |