US6285813B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Diffractive grating coupler and method
Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corp
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Filing: 1998-10-02
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Granted: 2001-09-04
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Expires: 2018-10-02
Abstract
Abstract The present invention entails a volume grating for use as an optical coupler and method for creating the same which comprises a predetermined surface grating pattern having a decreasing surface grating period along a waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating with a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction to focus coupled light in a first dimension with a predetermined light intensity profile along a grating-cover interface plane of the volume grating. In addition, the predetermined surface grating pattern further includes an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction to focus the light in a second dimension. The present invention further comprises a system and method for designing the volume grating, as well as a system and method for designing an apparatus for fabricating the volume grating.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen M. Schultz
- 👤 Thomas K. Gaylord
- 👤 Elias N. Glytsis
- 👤 Nile F. Hartman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/124; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/30; G02B6/34; G02B6/12004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a predetermined surface grating pattern having a surface grating period decreasing along a waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating; and a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a predetermined surface grating pattern having a surface grating period decreasing along a waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating; and a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The volume grating of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern further includes an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The volume grating of claim 2 , wherein a light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume grating corresponds to the predetermined variable slant angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The volume grating of claim 3 , further comprising a preferential-order.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The volume grating of claim 3 , wherein the predetermined preferential light intensity profile is a Gaussian profile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The volume grating of claim 1 , wherein said volume grating is formed from a photorefractive crystal material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The volume grating of claim 1 , wherein said volume grating is formed from an organic volume holographic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The volume grating of claim 1 , wherein a light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume grating corresponds to the predetermined variable slant angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The volume grating of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined light intensity profile propagates in a preferential order.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The volume grating of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined light intensity profile is a Guassian profile.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The volume grating of claim 1 , wherein a light intensity profile corresponds to predetermined slant angles which vary along the waveguide light propagation direction of the volume grating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The volume grating of claim 1 , wherein the resultant light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume grating corresponds to a predetermined variable slant angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The volume grating of claim 1 , wherein the orientation of each one of the plurality of slanted grating fringes within the volume grating is defined by a slant angle, said slant angles varying in degree along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The volume grating of claim 13 , wherein the slant angle of each one of the plurality of grating fringes decreases along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The volume grating of claim 13 , wherein the slant angle of each one of the plurality of grating fringes increase along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The volume grating of claim 13 , wherein the slant angle of each one of the plurality of grating fringes is variably differentiated with respect to other slant angles along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The volume grating of claim 1 , wherein the orientation of each one of the plurality of slanted grating fringes within the volume grating is defined by a slant angle, said slant angles varying between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the volume grating.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The volume grating of claim 17 , wherein the slant angle of each one of the plurality of grating fringes decreases between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the volume grating.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The volume grating of claim 17 , wherein the slant angle of each one of a plurality of grating fringes increases between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the volume grating.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The volume grating of claim 17 , wherein the slant angle of each one of the plurality of grating fringes is variably differentiated with respect to other slant angles along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: first means for variably altering the propagation of a guided wave according to a preferential order; second means for focusing light in a first dimension; third means for focusing light in a second dimension; and fourth means for causing a predetermined light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume grating.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: first means for variably altering the propagation of a guided wave according to a preferential order; second means for focusing light in a first dimension; third means for focusing light in a second dimension; and fourth means for causing a predetermined light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume grating.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The volume grating of claim 21 , wherein the first means further comprises a plurality of slanted grated fringes in the volume grating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The volume grating of claim 21 , wherein the second means further comprises a predetermined surface grating pattern having a decreasing surface grating period along a waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The volume grating of claim 21 , wherein the third means further comprises a predetermined surface grating pattern having an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The volume grating of claim 21 , wherein said fourth means further comprises a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for coupling light from a waveguide to a focused point, comprising the steps of: directing a laser light beam into a waveguide having a volume grating; coupling the laser light with a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along a waveguide light propagation direction; and focusing the laser light with a predetermined surface grating pattern having a decreasing surface grating period along the waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for coupling light from a waveguide to a focused point, comprising the steps of: directing a laser light beam into a waveguide having a volume grating; coupling the laser light with a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along a waveguide light propagation direction; and focusing the laser light with a predetermined surface grating pattern having a decreasing surface grating period along the waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method claim 26 , further comprising the step of focusing the laser light with fringes having an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction in the predetermined surface grating pattern.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising the step of configuring the variable slant angle to provide a predetermined light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume grating.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
A collimating volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a predetermined surface grating pattern having an even surface grating period; and a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
A collimating volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a predetermined surface grating pattern having an even surface grating period; and a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
62 words
A surface relief grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a waveguide; a predetermined number of separated grating ridges disposed in the waveguide, the separated grating ridges forming a predetermined surface grating pattern having a decreasing surface grating period along a waveguide light propagation direction; and the separated grating ridges having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
62 words
A surface relief grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a waveguide; a predetermined number of separated grating ridges disposed in the waveguide, the separated grating ridges forming a predetermined surface grating pattern having a decreasing surface grating period along a waveguide light propagation direction; and the separated grating ridges having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surface relief grating of claim 30 , wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern further includes an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
66 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a first means for focusing a laser light with a plurality of slanted grating fringes, with each one of said plurality of slanted grating fringes having a predefined variable slant angle along a waveguide light propagation direction; and a second means for configuring a predetermined light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume grating.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
66 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a first means for focusing a laser light with a plurality of slanted grating fringes, with each one of said plurality of slanted grating fringes having a predefined variable slant angle along a waveguide light propagation direction; and a second means for configuring a predetermined light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume grating.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The volume grating of claim 32 , wherein the first means further comprises a predetermined surface grating pattern having a decreasing surface grating period along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The volume grating of claim 32 , wherein the first means comprises a predetermined surface grating pattern having an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical coupler for use in optical communications systems which comprises: a volume grating having a predetermined surface grating pattern; and a plurality of variably slanted grating fringes along said volume grating.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical coupler for use in optical communications systems which comprises: a volume grating having a predetermined surface grating pattern; and a plurality of variably slanted grating fringes along said volume grating.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical coupler of claim 35 , wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern of the volume grating has a surface grating period that decreases along a waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical coupler of claim 35 , wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern of the volume grating has an increasing radius of curvature along a waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical coupler of claim 35 , wherein the variably slanted grating fringes of the volume grating have a corresponding variable slant angle along a waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
41 words
An optical communication system, comprising: an optical fiber; an optical circuit; a transmitter; a receiver; and an optical coupler; said optical coupler further comprising a volume grating having a plurality of variably slanted grating fringes along a waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
41 words
An optical communication system, comprising: an optical fiber; an optical circuit; a transmitter; a receiver; and an optical coupler; said optical coupler further comprising a volume grating having a plurality of variably slanted grating fringes along a waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The volume grating of claim 39 , wherein the volume grating has a predetermined surface grating pattern.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
The volume grating of claim 40 , wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern has a surface grating period that decreases along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The volume grating of claim 40 , wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern has a surface grating period that increases along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The volume grating of claim 40 , wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern of the volume grating has an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
The volume grating of claim 39 , wherein the variably slanted grating fringes of the volume grating have a corresponding variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
68 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a predetermined surface grating pattern having a surface grating period decreasing along a waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating; a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction; and wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern further includes an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
68 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a predetermined surface grating pattern having a surface grating period decreasing along a waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating; a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction; and wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern further includes an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
The volume grating of claim 45 , wherein a light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume grating corresponds to the predetermined variable slant angle.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
The volume grating of claim 46 , further comprising a preferential order.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The volume grating of claim 46 , wherein the predetermined preferential light intensity profile is a Guassian profile.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
81 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a predetermined surface grating pattern having a surface grating period decreasing along a waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating; a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction; wherein the variable slant angle is configured to provide a predetermined light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume; and wherein the predetermined light intensity profile propagates into a preferential order.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
81 words
A volume grating for use in an optical coupler, comprising: a predetermined surface grating pattern having a surface grating period decreasing along a waveguide light propagation direction in the volume grating; a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along the waveguide light propagation direction; wherein the variable slant angle is configured to provide a predetermined light intensity profile at an output plane of the volume; and wherein the predetermined light intensity profile propagates into a preferential order.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for coupling light from a waveguide to a focused point, comprising the steps of: directing a laser light beam into a waveguide having a volume grating; coupling the laser light with a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along a waveguide light propagation direction; focusing the laser light with a predetermined surface grating pattern having a decreasing surface grating period along the waveguide light propagation direction; and focusing the laser light with fringes having an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction in the predetermined surface grating pattern.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for coupling light from a waveguide to a focused point, comprising the steps of: directing a laser light beam into a waveguide having a volume grating; coupling the laser light with a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a variable slant angle along a waveguide light propagation direction; focusing the laser light with a predetermined surface grating pattern having a decreasing surface grating period along the waveguide light propagation direction; and focusing the laser light with fringes having an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction in the predetermined surface grating pattern.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical coupler for use in optical communications systems which comprises: a volume grating having a predetermined surface grating pattern; a plurality of variably slanted grating fringes along said volume grating; and wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern of the volume grating has an increasing radius of curvature along a waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical coupler for use in optical communications systems which comprises: a volume grating having a predetermined surface grating pattern; a plurality of variably slanted grating fringes along said volume grating; and wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern of the volume grating has an increasing radius of curvature along a waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical communication system, comprising: an optical fiber; an optical circuit; a transmitter; a receiver; an optical coupler, said optical coupler further comprising a volume grating having a plurality of variably slanted grating fringes along a waveguide light propagation direction; wherein the volume grating has a predetermined surface grating pattern; and wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern of the volume grating has an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical communication system, comprising: an optical fiber; an optical circuit; a transmitter; a receiver; an optical coupler, said optical coupler further comprising a volume grating having a plurality of variably slanted grating fringes along a waveguide light propagation direction; wherein the volume grating has a predetermined surface grating pattern; and wherein the predetermined surface grating pattern of the volume grating has an increasing radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
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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) | 2004-09-03 | 2005-03-05 | 2005-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-03 | 2009-03-05 | 2009-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-03 | 2013-03-05 | 2013-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |