US5339157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapidly tunable integrated optical filter
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1993-02-19
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Granted: 1994-08-16
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Expires: 2013-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A monolithically integrated optical filter which is rapidly tunable over a wide optical frequency range comprises an input frequency router connected to an output frequency router by means of controllably transmissive waveguides. A control circuit applies electrical energy to predetermined controllably transmissive waveguides to tune the optical filter to a desired one or more of a plurality of multiplexed input optical frequencies. This filter is economical to construct and is useful in high capacity, high speed optical communications networks.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Glance
- 👤 Robert W. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/12007; G02B6/12009; G02B6/12019; G02B6/12021; H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/0001; H04Q11/0003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A tunable integrated optical filter, comprising: an input frequency routing device for receiving a plurality of multiplexed optical frequencies; and an output frequency routing device responsive to the input frequency routing device for producing an optical output representing a selected one or more of the multiplexed optical frequencies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tunable integrated optical filter, comprising: an input frequency routing device for receiving a plurality of multiplexed optical frequencies; and an output frequency routing device responsive to the input frequency routing device for producing an optical output representing a selected one or more of the multiplexed optical frequencies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical filter of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of waveguides connecting a plurality of outputs from the input frequency routing device to a plurality of inputs of the output frequency routing device; each of the plurality of waveguides comprising a controllably transmissive section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The optical filter of claim 2, further comprising: a control circuit for selectively applying electrical energy to a predetermined one or more of the controllably transmissive sections for tuning the optical filter to a predetermined one or more of the plurality of multiplexed optical frequencies received by the input frequency routing device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
The optical filter of claim 1, in which the input frequency routing device comprises: at least one input waveguide; a first free space region connected to the at least one input waveguide; a plurality of output waveguides connected to the first free space region; an optical grating connected to the plurality of output waveguides comprising a plurality of unequal length waveguides; a plurality of input waveguides connected to the optical grating; a second free space region connected to the plurality of input waveguides connected to the optical grating; and a plurality of output waveguides connected to the second free space region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
The optical filter of claim 1, in which the output frequency routing device comprises: a plurality of input waveguides; a first free space region connected to the plurality of input waveguides; a plurality of output waveguides connected to the first free space region; an optical grating connected to the plurality of output waveguides comprising a plurality of unequal length waveguides; a plurality of input waveguides connected to the optical grating; a second free space region connected to the plurality of input waveguides connected to the optical grating; and at least one output waveguide connected to the second free space region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
The optical filter of claim 4, in which the output frequency routing device comprises: a plurality of input waveguides; a first free space region connected to the plurality of input waveguides; a plurality of output waveguides connected to the first free space region; an optical grating connected to the plurality of output waveguides comprising a plurality of unequal length waveguides; a plurality of input waveguides connected to the optical grating; a second free space region connected to the plurality of input waveguides connected to the optical grating; and at least one output waveguide connected to the second free space region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The optical filter of claim 6, in which each of the plurality of output waveguides of the input frequency routing device are connected to a respective one of the plurality of input waveguides of the output frequency routing device by means of one of the controllably transmissive sections.
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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) | 1997-08-15 | 1998-02-14 | 1998-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-15 | 2002-02-14 | 2002-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-15 | 2006-02-14 | 2006-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |