US6606432B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Phase mask consisting of an array of multiple diffractive elements for simultaneous accurate fabrication of large arrays of optical couplers and method for making same
Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corp
•
Filing: 2001-05-03
•
Granted: 2003-08-12
•
Expires: 2021-05-03
Abstract
Abstract The present invention entails a phase mask for producing a plurality of volume gratings for use as optical couplers and method for creating the phase mask. The phase mask is produced by creating a plurality of volume gratings having predetermined characteristics which allow the phase mask, when excited by a coherent light wave, to produce a plurality of volume gratings in a recording material.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas K. Gaylord
- 👤 Elias N. Glytsis
- 👤 James D. Meindl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:16
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/18; G02B5/1847; G02B5/1857
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising: a phase mask; recording material; and a grating pair of the phase mask including a first grating for diffracting light towards a focus region on the recording material; and a second grating for diffracting light towards said focus region on the recording material; the grating pair having a period that continuously varies over the surface of the gratings; and the diffracting light from the grating pair intersecting and interfering such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising: a phase mask; recording material; and a grating pair of the phase mask including a first grating for diffracting light towards a focus region on the recording material; and a second grating for diffracting light towards said focus region on the recording material; the grating pair having a period that continuously varies over the surface of the gratings; and the diffracting light from the grating pair intersecting and interfering such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first and second gratings are selected from volume gratings and surface-relief gratings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first grating has a first predetermined surface grating pattern comprising a varying radius of curvature along a surface direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first grating is formed from a photo-refractive material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first grating is formed from an organic volume holographic material.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising: a phase mask; a recording material; and a grating pair of the phase mask including a first grating for diffracting light at a first predetermined angle of diffraction, the first grating having a non-constant period; and a second grating for diffracting light at a second predetermined angle of diffraction; and wherein said light diffracted by said first grating and said light diffracted by said second grating are directed to intersect at a predetermined intersection region of the recording material to form a recorded grating such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler; and wherein the grating pair has a general non-constant-period.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising: a phase mask; a recording material; and a grating pair of the phase mask including a first grating for diffracting light at a first predetermined angle of diffraction, the first grating having a non-constant period; and a second grating for diffracting light at a second predetermined angle of diffraction; and wherein said light diffracted by said first grating and said light diffracted by said second grating are directed to intersect at a predetermined intersection region of the recording material to form a recorded grating such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler; and wherein the grating pair has a general non-constant-period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said gratings are selected from volume gratings and surface-relief gratings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising diffracting means that diffracts said light to a line in the intersection region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising diffracting means that diffracts said light to a diffraction limited spot in the intersection region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said gratings are volume gratings for diffracting light at predetermined angles of diffraction, and further comprising diffracting means that diffracts said light in a predetermined pattern in the intersection region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein at least one of said volume gratings comprises a first predetermined surface grating pattern having a first surface grating period varying along the length of said first volume grating, and a plurality of slanted grating fringes having a first variable slant angle along the length of said volume grating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said predetermined surface grating pattern further includes a varying radius of curvature along said length of said volume grating.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for creating a grating for use as an optical coupler, comprising: a light source for generating a light wave; phase mask having a first grating configured to optically couple said light wave to a recording material, the first grating having a non-constant period, and a second grating configured to optically couple said light wave to said recording material, the second grating having a non-constant period; and wherein said first and second gratings are configured to focus said light wave to create an interference pattern in said recording material, the interference pattern forming an optical coupler.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for creating a grating for use as an optical coupler, comprising: a light source for generating a light wave; phase mask having a first grating configured to optically couple said light wave to a recording material, the first grating having a non-constant period, and a second grating configured to optically couple said light wave to said recording material, the second grating having a non-constant period; and wherein said first and second gratings are configured to focus said light wave to create an interference pattern in said recording material, the interference pattern forming an optical coupler.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein said gratings are selected from volume gratings and surface-relief gratings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein said interference pattern is characterized by a cross-section having a varying period along a waveguide light propagation direction, and a plurality of slanted fringes having a variable slant angle along said waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said interference pattern is further characterized by a varying radius of curvature along said waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for creating a grating for use as an optical coupler, the method comprising the steps of: generating a coherent light beam; directing said coherent light beam into a phase mask having at least two gratings, at least one of said gratings of the phase mask having a non-constant period, said phase mask configured to optically couple a pair of coherent light beams to a recording material; and focusing said coherent light beams to create an interference pattern in said recording material to form an optical coupler.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for creating a grating for use as an optical coupler, the method comprising the steps of: generating a coherent light beam; directing said coherent light beam into a phase mask having at least two gratings, at least one of said gratings of the phase mask having a non-constant period, said phase mask configured to optically couple a pair of coherent light beams to a recording material; and focusing said coherent light beams to create an interference pattern in said recording material to form an optical coupler.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the interference pattern produces a plurality of gratings.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of gratings are produced substantially simultaneously.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said interference pattern is characterized by a cross-section having a varying surface period along a waveguide light propagation direction, and a plurality of slanted fringes having a variable slant angle along said waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of focusing the coherent light beam creating the interference pattern, wherein the cross-section of the interference pattern is further characterized by a varying radius of curvature along the waveguide light propagation direction.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising: a phase mask having a continuously varying period and a continuously varying periodicity direction over the entire surface of the phase mask; a recording material; and a grating pair of the phase mask including a first grating for diffracting light towards a focus region on the recording material; and a second grating for diffracting light towards the focus region on the recording material; the diffracting light from the grating pair intersecting and interfering to form a recorded grating such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising: a phase mask having a continuously varying period and a continuously varying periodicity direction over the entire surface of the phase mask; a recording material; and a grating pair of the phase mask including a first grating for diffracting light towards a focus region on the recording material; and a second grating for diffracting light towards the focus region on the recording material; the diffracting light from the grating pair intersecting and interfering to form a recorded grating such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the plurality of gratings are produced substantially simultaneously.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , further comprising diffracting means that diffracts said light to a line in the intersection region.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , further comprising diffracting means that diffracts said light to a diffraction limited spot in the intersection region.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said gratings are volume gratings for diffracting light at predetermined angles of diffraction, and further comprising diffracting means that diffracts said light in a predetermined pattern in the intersection region.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising: a phase mask; a recording material; and a grating pair of the phase mask including a first grating for diffracting light towards a focus region on the recording material, the first grating having a non-constant period; and a second grating for diffracting light towards the focus region on the recording material, the second grating having a non-constant period; the grating pair diffracting light into a general arbitrary-profile light beam; and the diffracting light from the grating pair intersecting and interfering such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising: a phase mask; a recording material; and a grating pair of the phase mask including a first grating for diffracting light towards a focus region on the recording material, the first grating having a non-constant period; and a second grating for diffracting light towards the focus region on the recording material, the second grating having a non-constant period; the grating pair diffracting light into a general arbitrary-profile light beam; and the diffracting light from the grating pair intersecting and interfering such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the plurality of gratings are produced substantially simultaneously.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS57142608A
Cited
JPS6410203A
Cited
US4942112A
Cited
US5029154A
Cited
US5313538A
Cited
US5377288A
Cited
US5363226A
Cited
US5714750A
Cited
US5760960A
Cited
US6285813B1
Cited
US5982545A
Cited
US20010022880A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-08-11 | 2007-02-10 | 2007-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-11 | 2011-02-10 | 2011-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-11 | 2015-02-10 | 2015-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |