US5469520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compression-tuned fiber grating
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1994-09-30
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Granted: 1995-11-21
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Expires: 2014-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A reflective element 26, such as a Bragg grating, impressed in an optical fiber 24, has a reflection wavelength which is tuned by compressing the grating 26. Because an optical fiber is a much stronger under compression than in tension, the grating 26 is tunable over a much broader range than conventional tension/stretching techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Morey
- 👤 Arnold L. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:38
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/02057; G02B6/02076; G02B6/02195; G02B6/022; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29304; G02B6/29316; G02B6/29317; G02B6/29322; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A tunable reflective element, comprising: an optical waveguide which confines and propagates incident light; a reflective element impressed in said waveguide which reflects said incident light at a reflection wavelength; and compression means for compressing said reflective element so as to change said reflection wavelength, and for tuning said reflective element over a wavelength range greater than a predetermined range, said predetermined range being: 5 nm, 10 nm, 15 nm, 20 nm, or 30 nm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tunable reflective element, comprising: an optical waveguide which confines and propagates incident light; a reflective element impressed in said waveguide which reflects said incident light at a reflection wavelength; and compression means for compressing said reflective element so as to change said reflection wavelength, and for tuning said reflective element over a wavelength range greater than a predetermined range, said predetermined range being: 5 nm, 10 nm, 15 nm, 20 nm, or 30 nm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tunable reflective element of claim 1 wherein said reflective element comprises a Bragg grating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tunable reflective element of claim 1 wherein said waveguide comprises an optical fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tunable reflective element of claim 1 wherein said waveguide comprises silica.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for tuning the reflection wavelength of a reflective element, comprising the steps of: compressing an optical waveguide having a reflective element impressed therein, thereby changing said reflection wavelength of said reflective element and tuning said reflective element over a wavelength range greater than a predetermined range, said predetermined range being: 5 nm, 10 nm, 15 nm, 20 nm, or 30 nm.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for tuning the reflection wavelength of a reflective element, comprising the steps of: compressing an optical waveguide having a reflective element impressed therein, thereby changing said reflection wavelength of said reflective element and tuning said reflective element over a wavelength range greater than a predetermined range, said predetermined range being: 5 nm, 10 nm, 15 nm, 20 nm, or 30 nm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of compressing further comprises compressing a Bragg grating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said reflective element comprises a Bragg grating impressed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said waveguide comprises silica.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said waveguide comprises an optical fiber.
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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) | 1998-11-20 | 1999-05-22 | 1999-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-20 | 2003-05-22 | 2003-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-20 | 2007-05-22 | 2007-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |