US5493624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polarization state converter
Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC
•
Filing: 1994-11-23
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Granted: 1996-02-20
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Expires: 2014-11-23
Abstract
Abstract An integrated optics polarization state converter comprises optically in series a first TM 0 to TM 1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TE 0 , a concatenation of total internal reflectors and a second TM 0 to TM 1 converter, similarly substantially transparent to TE 0 , which is connected the way round so as to operate as a TM 1 to TM 0 converter. Each TM 0 to TM 1 converter may comprise a tandem arrangement of a 2×2 TE 0 /TM 0 polarization beam splitting coupler and a mismatched, 3 dB maximum, 2×2 beam splitting coupler. The place of the TM 0 to TM 1 converters substantially transparent to TE 0 may be taken by TE 0 to TE 1 converters substantially transparent to TM 0 .
Inventors
- 👤 George H. B. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 00:45
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/14; G02B6/12; G02B6/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An integrated optics polarisation state converter that includes optically in series a zero-to-first order mode converter and a concatenation of total internal reflectors, wherein the zero-to-first order mode converter is selected from the group comprising a TE 0 to TE 1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TM 0 and a TM 0 to TM 1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TE 0 , which mode converter is oriented such that zero order optical power converted by it into first order is launched into the concatenation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An integrated optics polarisation state converter that includes optically in series a zero-to-first order mode converter and a concatenation of total internal reflectors, wherein the zero-to-first order mode converter is selected from the group comprising a TE 0 to TE 1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TM 0 and a TM 0 to TM 1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TE 0 , which mode converter is oriented such that zero order optical power converted by it into first order is launched into the concatenation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
An integrated optics state converter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the series combination of the zero-to-first order mode converter and the concatenation of total internal reflectors is optically in series with a second zero-to-first order mode converter such that the concatenation lies optically between the two zero-to-first order mode converters, and wherein both of said zero-to-first order mode converters are selected from the same element of the group comprising a TE 0 to TE 1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TM 0 and a TM 0 to TM 1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TE 0 , and each of which mode converters is oriented such that zero order optical power converted by it into first order is launched into the concatenation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An integrated optics polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electrically controllable variable birefringence element is included in the optical path between each pair of optically consecutive total internal reflectors of the concatenation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An integrated optics polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 2, wherein an electrically controllable variable birefringence element is included in the optical path between each pair of optically consecutive total internal reflectors of the concatenation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An integrated optic polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the zero-to-first order mode converter comprises a tandem arrangement of a TE 0 /TM 0 polarisation beam splitter and a mismatched, 3 dB maximum, beam splitting coupler.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An integrated optic polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the zero-to-first order mode converters comprises a tandem arrangement of a TE 0 /TM 0 polarisation beam splitter and a mismatched, 3 dB maximum, beam splitting coupler.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An integrated optic polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the zero-to-first order mode converter comprises a tandem arrangement of a TE 0 /TM 0 polarisation beam splitter and a mismatched, 3 dB maximum, beam splitting coupler.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An integrated optic polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the zero-to-first order mode converters comprises a tandem arrangement of a TE 0 /TM 0 polarisation beam splitter and a mismatched, 3 dB maximum, beam splitting coupler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A coherent light optical transmission system incorporating at least one integrated optics polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A coherent light optical transmission system incorporating at least one integrated optics polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 2.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical transmission system having an optical transmission path that includes a plurality of optical amplifiers optically in series, which system incorporates at least one integrated optics polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical transmission system having an optical transmission path that includes a plurality of optical amplifiers optically in series, which system incorporates at least one integrated optics polarisation state converter as claimed in claim 2.
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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) | 1999-02-19 | 1999-08-21 | 2000-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-19 | 2003-08-21 | 2004-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-19 | 2007-08-21 | 2008-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |