US6026205A — Compound optical waveguide and filter application…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 146 words

A compound waveguide, comprising: a substrate for holding at least a portion of a first, elongate waveguide propagating an optical signal along a propagation axis thereof; and a second, channel waveguide positioned in optical proximity to the portion of the first waveguide, said second waveguide having a first, propagation axis aligned with the propagation axis of the portion of the first waveguide, said second waveguide further having a coupling surface through which optical energy is coupled to or from the optical signal propagating in the first waveguide; wherein the optical energy is coupled to or from said first waveguide by said second waveguide along an interaction area between said second waveguide and said first waveguide, the optical energy being coupled according to an oscillating energy transfer function, an interaction length of the interaction area being formed as a predetermined function of the oscillating energy transfer function.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 146 words

A compound waveguide, comprising: a substrate for holding at least a portion of a first, elongate waveguide propagating an optical signal along a propagation axis thereof; and a second, channel waveguide positioned in optical proximity to the portion of the first waveguide, said second waveguide having a first, propagation axis aligned with the propagation axis of the portion of the first waveguide, said second waveguide further having a coupling surface through which optical energy is coupled to or from the optical signal propagating in the first waveguide; wherein the optical energy is coupled to or from said first waveguide by said second waveguide along an interaction area between said second waveguide and said first waveguide, the optical energy being coupled according to an oscillating energy transfer function, an interaction length of the interaction area being formed as a predetermined function of the oscillating energy transfer function.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

The compound waveguide of claim 1, wherein said second waveguide is shaped to confine distribution of the optical energy therein along a second axis perpendicular to both its first axis and a third axis normal to its coupling surface.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 60 words

The compound waveguide of claim 2, wherein said second waveguide is elongated along its first axis and has a generally rectangular cross-section and therefore a first pair of opposing optical boundaries disposed generally perpendicular to its coupling surface, the first pair of opposing optical boundaries confining the distribution of the optical energy in said second waveguide along its second axis.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 53 words

The compound waveguide of claim 3, wherein said second waveguide includes a second pair of opposing optical boundaries a first of which comprises the coupling surface, the second optical boundary of the second pair of opposing optical boundaries confining the distribution of the optical energy in said second waveguide along its third axis.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 55 words

The compound waveguide of claim 4, further comprising: a pair of electrodes each being disposed along a respective boundary of the first pair of opposing optical boundaries of said second waveguide, the pair of electrodes for applying an electric field between the first pair of opposing optical boundaries to thereby electrically control said second waveguide.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The compound waveguide of claim 1, wherein said second waveguide is shaped to confine distribution of the optical energy therein along axes of said second waveguide transverse to its first, propagation axis.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 79 words

The compound waveguide of claim 6, wherein said second waveguide comprises an optically bounded first region within a layer disposed over the substrate, the first region having an index of refraction different than that of other regions of said layer, wherein optical boundaries formed by the intersections of the first region and the other regions confine the distribution of the optical energy within said second waveguide along the axes of said second waveguide transverse to its first, propagation axis.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 36 words

The compound waveguide of claim 6, wherein said second waveguide comprises an optically bounded region within a layer disposed over the substrate, the optically bounded region being formed by a surface relief structure on said layer.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 54 words

The compound waveguide of claim 1, wherein the first, elongate waveguide comprises a fiber waveguide, and wherein the portion of the first waveguide comprises a side-polished portion of the fiber waveguide, the coupling surface of the second, channel waveguide evanescently coupling the optical energy to or from the side-polished portion of the fiber waveguide.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 42 words

The compound waveguide of claim 1, wherein said second waveguide is formed from an electro-optically active material, the compound waveguide further comprising: at least one electrode positioned to apply an electric field to said second waveguide to electrically control said second waveguide.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 61 words

The compound waveguide of claim 1, wherein the interaction length of the interaction area is substantially equal to an odd multiple of one half of the period of the oscillating energy transfer function, such that the optical energy coupled from the optical signal by said second waveguide rises from a near minimum to a near maximum value along the interaction length.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 148 words

An optical device for coupling optical energy to or from an optical signal propagating along a propagation axis of a side-polished fiber optic, comprising: a multimode channel waveguide having a propagation axis alignable with the propagation axis of the side-polished fiber optic, said multimode channel waveguide including a coupling surface through which the optical energy is coupled to or from the optical signal propagating in the side-polished fiber optic, the multimode channel waveguide confining distribution of the optical energy therein along axes transverse to its propagation axis; wherein the optical energy is coupled to or from the side-polished fiber optic by the channel waveguide along an interaction area between the multimode channel waveguide and the fiber optic, the optical energy being coupled according to an oscillating energy transfer function, an interaction length of the interaction area being formed as a predetermined function of the oscillating energy transfer function.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 148 words

An optical device for coupling optical energy to or from an optical signal propagating along a propagation axis of a side-polished fiber optic, comprising: a multimode channel waveguide having a propagation axis alignable with the propagation axis of the side-polished fiber optic, said multimode channel waveguide including a coupling surface through which the optical energy is coupled to or from the optical signal propagating in the side-polished fiber optic, the multimode channel waveguide confining distribution of the optical energy therein along axes transverse to its propagation axis; wherein the optical energy is coupled to or from the side-polished fiber optic by the channel waveguide along an interaction area between the multimode channel waveguide and the fiber optic, the optical energy being coupled according to an oscillating energy transfer function, an interaction length of the interaction area being formed as a predetermined function of the oscillating energy transfer function.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 61 words

The optical device of claim 12, wherein the interaction length of the interaction area is substantially equal to an odd multiple of one half of the period of the oscillating energy transfer function, such that the optical energy coupled from the optical signal by the channel waveguide rises from a near minimum to a near maximum value along the interaction length.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 77 words

The optical device of claim 12, wherein said multimode channel waveguide comprises an optically bounded first region within a layer, the first region having an index of refraction different than that of other regions of said layer, wherein optical boundaries formed by the intersections of the first region and the other regions confine the distribution of the optical energy within said multimode channel waveguide along the axes of said multimode channel waveguide transverse to its propagation axis.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 33 words

The optical device of claim 12, wherein said multimode channel waveguide comprises an optically bounded region within a layer, the optically bounded region being formed by a surface relief structure on said layer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 44 words

The optical device of claim 12, wherein said multimode channel waveguide is formed from an electro-optically active material, the device further comprising: at least one electrode positioned to apply an electric field to said multimode channel waveguide to electrically control said multimode channel waveguide.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 95 words

A method for coupling optical energy to or from an optical signal propagating along a first propagation axis of a first, elongate waveguide, comprising: (a) placing a second, multimode channel waveguide in optical proximity to a portion of said first waveguide; and (b) evanescently coupling the optical energy to or from the optical signal through a coupling surface of said second waveguide; wherein said evanescently coupling (b) comprises coupling the optical energy according to a predetermined oscillating energy transfer function along an interaction area between the portion of said first waveguide and said second waveguide.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 95 words

A method for coupling optical energy to or from an optical signal propagating along a first propagation axis of a first, elongate waveguide, comprising: (a) placing a second, multimode channel waveguide in optical proximity to a portion of said first waveguide; and (b) evanescently coupling the optical energy to or from the optical signal through a coupling surface of said second waveguide; wherein said evanescently coupling (b) comprises coupling the optical energy according to a predetermined oscillating energy transfer function along an interaction area between the portion of said first waveguide and said second waveguide.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 74 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said evanescently coupling (b) comprises coupling the optical energy along an interaction length of said interaction area, the interaction length being substantially equal to an odd multiple of one half of the period of the oscillating energy transfer function, such that the optical energy coupled from the optical signal by said second waveguide rises from a near minimum value to a near maximum value along the interaction length.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said evanescently coupling (b) includes electrically controlling coupling characteristics of said second waveguide by applying an electric field thereto.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 19, wherein the coupling characteristics controlled by said electrically controlling include a wavelength at which the optical energy is coupled to or from the optical signal.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 142 words

An optical filter, comprising: a substrate for holding at least a portion of a first, elongate waveguide propagating an optical signal along a propagation axis thereof; and a second, channel waveguide positioned in optical proximity to the portion of the first waveguide, said second waveguide having a first, propagation axis aligned with the propagation axis of the portion of the first waveguide, said second waveguide further having a coupling surface through which optical energy is filtered from the optical signal propagating in the first waveguide; wherein the optical energy is filtered from said first waveguide by said second waveguide along an interaction area between said second waveguide and said first waveguide, the optical energy being filtered according to an oscillating energy transfer function, an interaction length of the interaction area being formed as a predetermined function of the oscillating energy transfer function.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 142 words

An optical filter, comprising: a substrate for holding at least a portion of a first, elongate waveguide propagating an optical signal along a propagation axis thereof; and a second, channel waveguide positioned in optical proximity to the portion of the first waveguide, said second waveguide having a first, propagation axis aligned with the propagation axis of the portion of the first waveguide, said second waveguide further having a coupling surface through which optical energy is filtered from the optical signal propagating in the first waveguide; wherein the optical energy is filtered from said first waveguide by said second waveguide along an interaction area between said second waveguide and said first waveguide, the optical energy being filtered according to an oscillating energy transfer function, an interaction length of the interaction area being formed as a predetermined function of the oscillating energy transfer function.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 39 words

The optical filter of claim 21, wherein said second waveguide is shaped to confine distribution of the optical energy therein along a second axis perpendicular to both its first axis and a third axis normal to its coupling surface.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 60 words

The optical filter of claim 22, wherein said second waveguide is elongated along its first axis and has a generally rectangular cross-section and therefore a first pair of opposing optical boundaries disposed generally perpendicular to its coupling surface, the first pair of opposing optical boundaries confining the distribution of the optical energy in said second waveguide along its second axis.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 53 words

The optical filter of claim 23, wherein said second waveguide includes a second pair of opposing optical boundaries a first of which comprises the coupling surface, the second optical boundary of the second pair of opposing optical boundaries confining the distribution of the optical energy in said second waveguide along its third axis.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 55 words

The optical filter of claim 24, further comprising: a pair of electrodes each being disposed along a respective boundary of the first pair of opposing optical boundaries of said second waveguide, the pair of electrodes for applying an electric field between the first pair of opposing optical boundaries to thereby electrically control said second waveguide.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 32 words

The optical filter of claim 21, wherein said second waveguide is shaped to confine distribution of the optical energy therein along axes of said second waveguide transverse to its first, propagation axis.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 79 words

The optical filter of claim 26, wherein said second waveguide comprises an optically bounded first region within a layer disposed over the substrate, the first region having an index of refraction different than that of other regions of said layer, wherein optical boundaries formed by the intersections of the first region and the other regions confine the distribution of the optical energy within said second waveguide along the axes of said second waveguide transverse to its first, propagation axis.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 36 words

The optical filter of claim 26, wherein said second waveguide comprises an optically bounded region within a layer disposed over the substrate, the optically bounded region being formed by a surface relief structure on said layer.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 52 words

The optical filter of claim 21, wherein said first, elongate waveguide comprises a fiber waveguide, and wherein the portion of the first waveguide comprises a side-polished portion of the fiber waveguide, the coupling surface of the second, channel waveguide evanescently filtering the optical energy from the side-polished portion of the fiber waveguide.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 45 words

The optical filter of claim 21, wherein said second waveguide is formed from an electro-optically active material, the optical filter further comprising: at least one electrode positioned to apply an electric field to said second waveguide to electrically control filtering characteristics of said second waveguide.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 61 words

The optical filter of claim 21, wherein the interaction length of the interaction area is substantially equal to an odd multiple of one half of the period of the oscillating energy transfer function, such that the optical energy filtered from the optical signal by the second waveguide rises from a near minimum to a near maximum value along the interaction length.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 20 words

The optical filter of claim 21, further comprising: a coupler for carrying the filtered optical energy from said second waveguide.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 30 words

The optical filter of claim 32, wherein said coupler comprises: a prism placed in optical proximity to said second waveguide; and a gradient-index collimator for collimating the filtered optical energy.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

The optical filter of claim 32, wherein said coupler comprises: a side-polished fiber optic.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 142 words

An optical filter for filtering optical energy from an optical signal propagating along a propagation axis of a side-polished fiber optic, comprising: a multimode channel waveguide having a propagation axis alignable with the propagation axis of the side-polished fiber optic, said multimode channel waveguide including a coupling surface through which the optical energy is filtered from the optical signal propagating in the side-polished fiber optic, the multimode channel waveguide confining distribution of the optical energy therein along axes transverse to its propagation axis; wherein the optical energy is filtered from the side-polished fiber optic by the channel waveguide along an interaction area between the multimode channel waveguide and the fiber optic, the optical energy being filtered according to an oscillating energy transfer function, an interaction length of the interaction area being formed as a predetermined function of the oscillating energy transfer function.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 142 words

An optical filter for filtering optical energy from an optical signal propagating along a propagation axis of a side-polished fiber optic, comprising: a multimode channel waveguide having a propagation axis alignable with the propagation axis of the side-polished fiber optic, said multimode channel waveguide including a coupling surface through which the optical energy is filtered from the optical signal propagating in the side-polished fiber optic, the multimode channel waveguide confining distribution of the optical energy therein along axes transverse to its propagation axis; wherein the optical energy is filtered from the side-polished fiber optic by the channel waveguide along an interaction area between the multimode channel waveguide and the fiber optic, the optical energy being filtered according to an oscillating energy transfer function, an interaction length of the interaction area being formed as a predetermined function of the oscillating energy transfer function.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 61 words

The optical filter of claim 35, wherein the interaction length of the interaction area is substantially equal to an odd multiple of one half of the period of the oscillating energy transfer function, such that the optical energy filtered from the optical signal by the channel waveguide rises from a near minimum to a near maximum value along the interaction length.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 77 words

The optical filter of claim 35, wherein said multimode channel waveguide comprises an optically bounded first region within a layer, the first region having an index of refraction different than that of other regions of said layer, wherein optical boundaries formed by the intersections of the first region and the other regions confine the distribution of the optical energy within said multimode channel waveguide along the axes of said multimode channel waveguide transverse to its propagation axis.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 33 words

The optical filter of claim 35, wherein said multimode channel waveguide comprises an optically bounded region within a layer, the optically bounded region being formed by a surface relief structure on said layer.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 47 words

The optical filter of claim 35, wherein said multimode channel waveguide is formed from an electro-optically active material, the device further comprising: at least one electrode positioned to apply an electric field to said multimode channel waveguide to electrically control filtering characteristics of said multimode channel waveguide.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 21 words

The optical filter of claim 35, further comprising: a coupler for carrying the filtered optical energy from said multimode channel waveguide.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 31 words

The optical filter of claim 40, wherein said coupler comprises: a prism placed in optical proximity to said multimode channel waveguide; and a gradient-index collimator for collimating the filtered optical energy.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 14 words

The optical filter of claim 40, wherein said coupler comprises: another side-polished fiber optic.

Claim 48

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for filtering optical energy from an optical signal propagating along a first propagation axis of a first, elongate waveguide, comprising: (a) placing a second, multimode channel waveguide in optical proximity to a portion of said first waveguide; and (b) evanescently filtering the optical energy from the optical signal through a coupling surface of said second waveguide; wherein said evanescently filtering (b) comprises filtering the optical energy according to a predetermined oscillating energy transfer function along an interaction area between the portion of said first waveguide and said second waveguide.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for filtering optical energy from an optical signal propagating along a first propagation axis of a first, elongate waveguide, comprising: (a) placing a second, multimode channel waveguide in optical proximity to a portion of said first waveguide; and (b) evanescently filtering the optical energy from the optical signal through a coupling surface of said second waveguide; wherein said evanescently filtering (b) comprises filtering the optical energy according to a predetermined oscillating energy transfer function along an interaction area between the portion of said first waveguide and said second waveguide.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 74 words

The method of claim 43, wherein said evanescently filtering (b) comprises filtering the optical energy along an interaction length of said interaction area, the interaction length being substantially equal to an odd multiple of one half of the period of the oscillating energy transfer function, such that the optical energy filtered from the optical signal by said second waveguide rises from a near minimum value to a near maximum value along the interaction length.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 43, wherein said evanescently filtering (b) includes electrically controlling filtering characteristics of said second waveguide by applying an electric field thereto.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 45, wherein the filtering characteristics controlled by said electrically controlling include a wavelength at which the optical energy is filtered from the optical signal.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 43, further comprising: (c) coupling the filtered optical energy away from the second, multimode channel waveguide using a coupler placed in optical proximity thereto.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-02-14	2003-08-16	2004-02-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-02-14	2007-08-16	2008-02-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-02-14	2011-08-16	2012-02-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Compound optical waveguide and filter applications thereof

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