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US6137939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for reducing temperature-related spectrum shifts in optical devices
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1997-10-01
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Granted: 2000-10-24
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Expires: 2017-10-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention teaches a novel technique for reducing the temperature-related spectrum shifts in optical devices, particularly waveguide grating routers (WGR). In general, the present invention modifies a portion of the length of at least one waveguide within an optical device in a manner that stabilizes the wavelength spectrum passing therethough even when exposed to temperature variations. More specifically, by knowing how the refractive index of a certain material changes with temperature variations as compared to that of common waveguide materials, such a silica, one may employ the teachings of the present invention to precisely modify the nature of the optical path through which a signal travels to fully compensate for any temperature-related wavelength spectrum shift. In other words, be able to produce an optical device with a plurality of waveguides each of which is appropriately modified so that any optical signal passing therethrough has the same wavelength at any two given temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Howard Henry
- 👤 Yuan P. Li
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/12007; G02B6/12009; G02B6/12011; G02B6/12026; G02B6/12028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An optical device having a plurality of optical waveguides and comprising at least one waveguide, which is defined by a core region having first and second sections that are series connected and are capable of transmitting light energy, the core region being surrounded by a cladding that essentially confines the light energy within the core region, the first section of the core region comprising a first length of material whose refractive index increases as temperature increases; wherein the at least one waveguide is temperature-compensating in that; the second section of the core region comprises a second length of material whose refractive index decreases as temperature increases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An optical device having a plurality of optical waveguides and comprising at least one waveguide, which is defined by a core region having first and second sections that are series connected and are capable of transmitting light energy, the core region being surrounded by a cladding that essentially confines the light energy within the core region, the first section of the core region comprising a first length of material whose refractive index increases as temperature increases; wherein the at least one waveguide is temperature-compensating in that; the second section of the core region comprises a second length of material whose refractive index decreases as temperature increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first section of the core region is made of silica.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second section of the core region is made of an elastomeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical apparatus of claim 3 wherein the length of the second section is proportional to the length of the first section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
An optical apparatus comprising: a first free space region having at least one input waveguide; a second free space region having at least one output waveguide; a plurality of unequal length waveguides connecting the first free space region to the second free space region, wherein at least one of the unequal length waveguides is defined by a core region having first and second sections that are series connected and are capable of transmitting light energy, the core region being surrounded by a cladding that essentially confines the light energy within the core region, the first section of the core region comprising a first length of material whose refractive index increases as temperature increases; wherein the at least one of the unequal length waveguides is temperature-compensating in that; the second section comprises a second length of material whose refractive index decreases as temperature increases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
An optical apparatus comprising: a first free space region having at least one input waveguide; a second free space region having at least one output waveguide; a plurality of unequal length waveguides connecting the first free space region to the second free space region, wherein at least one of the unequal length waveguides is defined by a core region having first and second sections that are series connected and are capable of transmitting light energy, the core region being surrounded by a cladding that essentially confines the light energy within the core region, the first section of the core region comprising a first length of material whose refractive index increases as temperature increases; wherein the at least one of the unequal length waveguides is temperature-compensating in that; the second section comprises a second length of material whose refractive index decreases as temperature increases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first section of the core region is made of silica.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second section of the core region is made of an elastomeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical apparatus of claim 7 wherein the length of the second section is proportional to the length of the first section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical apparatus of claim 5 wherein the refractive index of the material of the first section of the core region changes with temperature variations in a direction opposite than that of the second section of the core region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical apparatus of claim 8 wherein the refractive index of the elastomeric material changes with temperature variations at a rate of between about -10 and about -40 times that of silica.
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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) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-04-24 | 2004-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-24 | 2012-04-24 | 2012-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |