Patents by Inventor Mark P. Earnshaw
Mark P. Earnshaw has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11664902Abstract: Planar assemblies for coupling a plurality of optical transceivers to the same optical fiber. For example, the optical transceivers may be PON transceivers functioning according to different data rates and/or different modulation formats. Each optical transceiver communicates using one or more different wavelength channels. At least some of the disclosed planar assemblies are scalable to couple various numbers of optical transceivers to the same end face of an optical fiber, e.g., by fixing a corresponding number of passive, slab-like optical filters to a substantially planar surface of the support substrate to which the optical transceivers are also fixed adjacent and along. Some embodiments may employ various bulk lenses fixed to said planar surface to suitably relay light-beam segments between the end face of the fiber and the optical transceivers and/or between the different slab-like optical filters.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks OyInventors: Mark P. Earnshaw, Cristian A. Bolle, David T Neilson
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Publication number: 20210058158Abstract: Planar assemblies for coupling a plurality of optical transceivers to the same optical fiber. For example, the optical transceivers may be PON transceivers functioning according to different data rates and/or different modulation formats. Each optical transceiver communicates using one or more different wavelength channels. At least some of the disclosed planar assemblies are scalable to couple various numbers of optical transceivers to the same end face of an optical fiber, e.g., by fixing a corresponding number of passive, slab-like optical filters to a substantially planar surface of the support substrate to which the optical transceivers are also fixed adjacent and along. Some embodiments may employ various bulk lenses fixed to said planar surface to suitably relay light-beam segments between the end face of the fiber and the optical transceivers and/or between the different slab-like optical filters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: Nokia Solutions and Networks OYInventors: Mark P. Earnshaw, Cristian A. Bolle, David T. Neilson
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Patent number: 10578807Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising a reflective optical modulator and an integrated planar lightwave circuit. The circuit can have one or more pairs of input and output planar waveguides thereon. The input planar waveguide is optically coupleable to a first optical fiber and the output optical waveguide is optically coupleable to a second optical fiber. End segments of the input planar waveguide and the output planar waveguide are tilted towards each other such that the input planar waveguide is able to direct an optical signal from the planar lightwave circuit to a reflective modulator. The reflective optical modulator is configured to data modulate the optical signal and transmit said data modulated optical signal to the end segment of the output planar waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Nokia of America CorporationInventor: Mark P. Earnshaw
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Publication number: 20190312642Abstract: A reflective optical data modulator includes a layer of optical material, a front partial optical reflector on a major surface of the layer of optical material, a back optical reflector, and at least two electrodes. The back optical reflector is at or near a portion of a second surface of the layer of optical material and faces the front partial optical reflector. The at least two, electrodes are located to enable application of a voltage across a portion of the layer of optical material. The layer of optical material has an optical absorption dependent on the voltage applied across the electrodes. The front partial optical reflector is an unburied layer structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: David Thomas Neilson, Mark P. Earnshaw, Ting-Chen Hu
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Patent number: 10411807Abstract: An optical data transmitter in which surface-coupled reflective electro-absorption modulators are placed into different interferometer arms and operated in a manner that enables the optical data transmitter to transmit an optical output signal modulated using PAM, QPSK, or QAM modulation. In some embodiments, the optical data transmitter is configured to generate a PDM optical output signal by using two such interferometers and a quarter-wavelength plate configured to cause the output polarizations of the two interferometers to be mutually orthogonal. The electro-absorption modulators are surface-coupled in the sense that, in operation, each of these devices receives input light and outputs modulated light along a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the main plane of the device.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OYInventors: Mark P. Earnshaw, Stefano Grillanda
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Publication number: 20180248632Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising a reflective optical modulator and an integrated planar lightwave circuit. The circuit can have one or more pairs of input and output planar waveguides thereon. The input planar waveguide is optically coupleable to a first optical fiber and the output optical waveguide is optically coupleable to a second optical fiber. End segments of the input planar waveguide and the output planar waveguide are tilted towards each other such that the input planar waveguide is able to direct an optical signal from the planar lightwave circuit to a reflective modulator. The reflective optical modulator is configured to data modulate the optical signal and transmit said data modulated optical signal to the end segment of the output planar waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventor: Mark P. Earnshaw
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Patent number: 9329345Abstract: An optical apparatus, comprising a wavelength selective switch, the wavelength selective switch including: one or more planar lightwave circuits and a plurality of optical beam steering assemblies. Each one of the planar lightwave circuits have at least one arrayed waveguide grating located thereon.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Cristian Bolle, David Neilson, Mark P Earnshaw, Roland Ryf, Flavio Pardo
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Publication number: 20150147027Abstract: An optical apparatus, comprising a wavelength selective switch, the wavelength selective switch including: one or more planar lightwave circuits and a plurality of optical beam steering assemblies. Each one of the planar lightwave circuits have at least one arrayed waveguide grating located thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.Inventors: Cristian Bolle, David Neilson, Mark P. Earnshaw, Roland Ryf, Flavio Pardo
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Patent number: 8787775Abstract: In one embodiment, the opto-electronic assembly is a hybrid integrated circuit having an array of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) that are electrically coupled to a corresponding array of transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs), with both the APDs and TIAs being mounted on a common ceramic substrate. The opto-electronic assembly further has an optical subassembly comprising an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) and an array of turning mirrors, both attached to a temperature-control unit in a side-by-side arrangement and flip-chip mounted on the substrate over the APDs. The opto-electronic assembly employs a silicon-based submount inserted between the APDs and the substrate to accommodate the height difference between the APDs and the TIAs. The submount advantageously enables the placement of APDs in relatively close proximity to the turning mirrors while providing good control of the APD's tilt and offset distance with respect to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventor: Mark P. Earnshaw
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Patent number: 8639070Abstract: An optical assembly for a wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) transmitter or receiver that lends itself to cost-effective production-line manufacturing. In one embodiment, the fiber optic assembly has a vernier-type arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) with five optical ports at one side and fourteen optical ports at another side. Ten of the fourteen ports are optically coupled to ten photo-detectors or lasers. A selected one of the five ports is optically coupled to an external optical fiber. The coupling optics and the mounting hardware for the AWG are designed to accommodate, with few relatively straightforward adjustments performed on the production line, any configuration of the AWG in which any consecutive ten of the fourteen ports are optically coupled to the ten photo-detectors or lasers.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: David T. Neilson, Nagesh R. Basavanhally, Mark P. Earnshaw
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Patent number: 8634691Abstract: Variable optical attenuator (VOA) formed by disposing upon a substrate a waveguide, a p-type region and an n-type region about the waveguide, and an epi-silicon region disposed upon the waveguide, the VOA responsive to a bias current to controllably inject carriers into the waveguide to attenuate thereby optical signal propagating through the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Mark P. Earnshaw, Mahmoud S. Rasras
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Publication number: 20130101252Abstract: An arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) whose thermal-shift characteristics can be tailored to match the corresponding characteristics of another optical device (e.g., a solid-state laser or modulator) to which the AWG is intended to be coupled. In one embodiment, the physical means that enable the match of the thermal-shift characteristics include one or more wedge-shaped structures placed into one or both of the waveguide-coupling regions of the AWG. By appropriately selecting the structure's material, shape, and orientation and also the number of structures, the AWG can be manufactured to have substantially the same thermal-shift coefficient as the other optical device. As a result, the AWG can advantageously remain in optimal spectral alignment with the optical device despite temperature fluctuations and, as such, does not require a thermostat or temperature controller for proper operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: ALCATEL-LUCENT USA INC.Inventors: Mahmoud S. Rasras, Mark P. Earnshaw
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Publication number: 20130016944Abstract: Variable optical attenuator (VOA) formed by disposing upon a substrate a waveguide, a p-type region and an n-type region about the waveguide, and an epi-silicon region disposed upon the waveguide, the VOA responsive to a bias current to controllably inject carriers into the waveguide to attenuate thereby optical signal propagating through the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Mark P. Earnshaw, Mahmoud S. Rasras
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Patent number: 8326109Abstract: Variable optical attenuator (VOA) formed by disposing upon a substrate a waveguide, a p-type region and an n-type region about the waveguide, and an epi-silicon region disposed upon the waveguide, the VOA responsive to a bias current to controllably inject carriers into the waveguide to attenuate thereby optical signal propagating through the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Mark P. Earnshaw, Mahmoud S. Rasras
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Publication number: 20120087623Abstract: An optical assembly for a wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) transmitter or receiver that lends itself to cost-effective production-line manufacturing. In one embodiment, the fiber optic assembly has a vernier-type arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) with five optical ports at one side and fourteen optical ports at another side. Ten of the fourteen ports are optically coupled to ten photo-detectors or lasers. A selected one of the five ports is optically coupled to an external optical fiber. The coupling optics and the mounting hardware for the AWG are designed to accommodate, with few relatively straightforward adjustments performed on the production line, any configuration of the AWG in which any consecutive ten of the fourteen ports are optically coupled to the ten photo-detectors or lasers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: ALCATEL-LUCENT USA INC.Inventors: David T. Neilson, Nagesh R. Basavanhally, Mark P. Earnshaw
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Publication number: 20120087678Abstract: In one embodiment, the opto-electronic assembly is a hybrid integrated circuit having an array of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) that are electrically coupled to a corresponding array of transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs), with both the APDs and TIAs being mounted on a common ceramic substrate. The opto-electronic assembly further has an optical subassembly comprising an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) and an array of turning mirrors, both attached to a temperature-control unit in a side-by-side arrangement and flip-chip mounted on the substrate over the APDs. The opto-electronic assembly employs a silicon-based submount inserted between the APDs and the substrate to accommodate the height difference between the APDs and the TIAs. The submount advantageously enables the placement of APDs in relatively close proximity to the turning mirrors while providing good control of the APD's tilt and offset distance with respect to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: ALCATEL-LUCENT USA INC.Inventor: Mark P. Earnshaw
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Publication number: 20110142393Abstract: Variable optical attenuator (VOA) formed by disposing upon a substrate a waveguide, a p-type region and an n-type region about the waveguide, and an epi-silicon region disposed upon the waveguide, the VOA responsive to a bias current to controllably inject carriers into the waveguide to attenuate thereby optical signal propagating through the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: MARK P. EARNSHAW, Mahmoud S. Rasras
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Patent number: 7565038Abstract: Apparatus including a waveguide segment having a cladding that surrounds an optically-transmissive core extending along a path; a heater in thermal communication with the waveguide segment along at least a part of the path; a thermally-conductive substrate; a thermally-conductive base in fixed alignment with the waveguide segment and the thermally-conductive substrate, the thermally-conductive base being discontinuously on the waveguide segment along the path; and a rib in fixed alignment with the waveguide segment and the thermally-conductive substrate, the rib transversely extending in a direction away from the waveguide segment at a point along the path. Process utilizing apparatus for generating a phase shift in light.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.Inventor: Mark P. Earnshaw
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Publication number: 20080181550Abstract: Apparatus including a waveguide segment having a cladding that surrounds an optically-transmissive core extending along a path; a heater in thermal communication with the waveguide segment along at least a part of the path; a thermally-conductive substrate; a thermally-conductive base in fixed alignment with the waveguide segment and the thermally-conductive substrate, the thermally-conductive base being discontinuously on the waveguide segment along the path; and a rib in fixed alignment with the waveguide segment and the thermally-conductive substrate, the rib transversely extending in a direction away from the waveguide segment at a point along the path. Process utilizing apparatus for generating a phase shift in light.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventor: Mark P. Earnshaw
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Patent number: 7391936Abstract: Microfluidic optical sensor comprising: an optical waveguide capable of propagating light from an optical input port to an optical output port, the optical waveguide comprising an optical waveguide interaction region; a fluidic channel capable of conducting a fluid from a fluid input port to a fluid output port, the fluidic channel comprising a fluidic channel region; the fluidic channel region being separated from the optical waveguide interaction region by an interposed spacing material configured to transmit an evanescent field of the light through the spacing material between the optical waveguide interaction region and the fluidic channel region. Microfluidic optical sensor comprising an optical resonator. Methods for making microfluidic optical sensors.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stanley Pau, Mark P. Earnshaw