US5694503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Article comprising a temperature compensated optical fiber refractive index grating
Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America Inc
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Filing: 1996-09-09
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Granted: 1997-12-02
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Expires: 2016-09-09
Abstract
Abstract Conventional optical gratings are relatively temperature sensitive. This sensitivity is generally undesirable but can be reduced or eliminated by attaching the grating to a support member having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion. Exemplarily the member comprises Zr-tungstate and/or Hf-tungstate. The thermal expansion can be tailored by admixture of positive expansion coefficient material (e.g., Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 ) to the negative expansion coefficient material (e.g., ZrW 2 O 8 ), or by a variety of other techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Debra Anne Fleming
- 👤 David Wilfred Johnson, Jr.
- 👤 Paul Joseph Lemaire
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/02057; G02B6/02076; G02B6/02171; G02B6/02176; G02B6/0218; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4219; G02B6/4236; G02B6/4238; G02B6/4239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
An article comprising an optical fiber with a refractive index grating having a length and a reflection wavelength λ at a given temperature within an operating temperature range; wherein the optical fiber is attached to a support member, said support member having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion selected such that λ is substantially temperature independent over said operating temperature range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
An article comprising an optical fiber with a refractive index grating having a length and a reflection wavelength λ at a given temperature within an operating temperature range; wherein the optical fiber is attached to a support member, said support member having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion selected such that λ is substantially temperature independent over said operating temperature range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An article according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion selected such that |dλ/dT| is less than 20% of dλ/dT of an otherwise identical comparison grating that is not attached to a support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An article according to claim 1, wherein the operating temperature range includes 20° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article according to claim 3, wherein the operating range includes at least a portion of the range -20° to 65° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is a silica-based optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is attached to the support member at least over the length of the refractive index grating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Article according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber is attached to the support member at bonding platforms configured such that said refractive index grating is spaced from said support member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Article according to claim 7, wherein said bonding platforms comprise a material selected to have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially matched to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
Article according to claim 8, wherein said material is INVAR®.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Article according to claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a composition selected from the group consisting of the Zr-tungstate-based compositions and the Hf-tungstate-based compositions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Article according to claim 10, wherein said support member further comprises an amount of a positive thermal expansion coefficient material, said amount selected to provide the support member with a desired negative value of the thermal coefficient of expansion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
Article according to claim 11, wherein said positive thermal expansion coefficient material is selected from the group consisting of Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , ZrO 2 , MgO, CaO and Y 2 O 3 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
Article according to claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a first negative thermal expansion coefficient member bonded to a second positive thermal expansion coefficient member, said first and second members selected to provide a support member having a desired value of the negative thermal expansion coefficient.
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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) | 2000-12-01 | 2001-06-02 | 2001-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-01 | 2005-06-02 | 2005-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-01 | 2009-06-02 | 2009-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |