Patents by Inventor Neil David Whitbread
Neil David Whitbread 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: 11556042Abstract: A waveguide structure for use in a balanced push-pull Mach Zehnder modulator. The waveguide structure comprises a plurality of layers. The layers comprise, in order: an insulating or semi-insulating substrate; an lower cladding layer; an waveguide core layer; and an upper cladding layer. The lower cladding layer, waveguide core layer, and upper cladding layer are etched to form: a signal waveguide and a ground waveguide, which are connected via the lower cladding layer; and a signal line and a ground line, each located adjacent to the respective waveguide, and each connected to the respective waveguide via one or more respective resistive structures connected in the plane of the lower cladding layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Lumentum Technology UK LimitedInventors: Neil David Whitbread, Stephen Jones
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Publication number: 20220299835Abstract: A waveguide structure for use in a balanced push-pull Mach Zehnder modulator. The waveguide structure comprises a plurality of layers. The layers comprise, in order: an insulating or semi-insulating substrate; an lower cladding layer; an waveguide core layer; and an upper cladding layer. The lower cladding layer, waveguide core layer, and upper cladding layer are etched to form: a signal waveguide and a ground waveguide, which are connected via the lower cladding layer; and a signal line and a ground line, each located adjacent to the respective waveguide, and each connected to the respective waveguide via one or more respective resistive structures connected in the plane of the lower cladding layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Neil David WHITBREAD, Stephen JONES
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Patent number: 11009659Abstract: The invention relates to optical modulation devices and, in particular, monolithically integrated optical modulation devices. Disclosed herein is a monolithically integrated optical modulation device (200) that comprises: an input optical port (210); an output optical port (215); and an optical waveguide for guiding light from the input optical port to the output optical port. A portion of the optical waveguide is split into at least two branches. The waveguide is configured to cause a net 180° change in direction of the light while guiding said light from the input optical port to the output optical port such that the input optical port and the output optical port are positioned on a first edge of the device. At least some of the net 180° change in direction is achieved within the branches of the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Lumentum Technology UK LimitedInventors: Andrew John Ward, Neil David Whitbread, Stephen Jones, Andrew Cannon Carter
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Patent number: 10942380Abstract: A method of providing electrical isolation between subsections in a waveguide structure for a photonic integrated device, the structure comprising a substrate, a buffer layer and a core layer, the buffer layer being located between the substrate and the core and comprising a dopant of a first type, the first type being either n-type or p- type, the method comprising the steps of prior to adding any layer to a side of the core layer opposite to the buffer layer: selecting at least one area to be an electrical isolation region, applying a dielectric mask to a surface of the core layer opposite to the buffer layer, with a window in the mask exposing an area of the surface corresponding to the selected electrical isolation region, implementing diffusion of a dopant of a second type, the second type being of opposite polarity to the first type, and allowing the dopant of the second type to penetrate to the substrate to form a blocking junction.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Lumentum Technology UK LimitedInventors: Neil David Whitbread, Stephen Jones
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Publication number: 20190324300Abstract: A method of providing electrical isolation between subsections in a waveguide structure for a photonic integrated device, the structure comprising a substrate, a buffer layer and a core layer, the buffer layer being located between the substrate and the core and comprising a dopant of a first type, the first type being either n-type or p- type, the method comprising the steps of prior to adding any layer to a side of the core layer opposite to the buffer layer: selecting at least one area to be an electrical isolation region, applying a dielectric mask to a surface of the core layer opposite to the buffer layer, with a window in the mask exposing an area of the surface corresponding to the selected electrical isolation region, implementing diffusion of a dopant of a second type, the second type being of opposite polarity to the first type, and allowing the dopant of the second type to penetrate to the substrate to form a blocking junction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Neil David WHITBREAD, Stephen JONES
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Publication number: 20180329269Abstract: The invention relates to optical modulation devices and, in particular, monolithically integrated optical modulation devices. Disclosed herein is a monolithically integrated optical modulation device (200) that comprises: an input optical port (210); an output optical port (215); and an optical waveguide for guiding light from the input optical port to the output optical port. A portion of the optical waveguide is split into at least two branches. The waveguide is configured to cause a net 180° change in direction of the light while guiding said light from the input optical port to the output optical port such that the input optical port and the output optical port are positioned on a first edge of the device. At least some of the net 180° change in direction is achieved within the branches of the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2016Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Andrew John Ward, Neil David Whitbread, Stephen Jones, Andrew Cannon Carter
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Patent number: 9395488Abstract: Sacrificial optical test structures are constructed upon a wafer of pre-cleaved optical chips for testing the optical functions of the pre-cleaved optical chips. The sacrificial optical structures are disabled upon the cleaving the optical chips from the wafer and the cleaved optical chips can be used for their desired end functions. The test structures may remain on the cleaved optical chips or they may be discarded.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: OCLARO TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: Neil David Whitbread, Lloyd Nicholas Langley, Andrew Cannon Carter
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Patent number: 9209602Abstract: A monolithically integrated, tunable semiconductor laser with an optical waveguide, comprising epitaxial layers on a substrate and having first and second reflectors bounding an optical gain section and a non-driven region, wherein at least one of the reflectors is a distributed Bragg reflector section configured to have a tunable reflection spectrum, wherein control electrodes are provided to at least the optical gain section, and the distributed Bragg reflector section, and wherein the non-driven region has a length of at least 100 ?m, is without an electrical contact directly contacting onto the epitaxially grown side of the non-driven region, and the non-driven region is without a reflective Bragg grating within the epitaxial layers of the non-driven region.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: OCLARO TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: Sam Davies, Neil David Whitbread, Andrew Ward
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Patent number: 9209601Abstract: A monolithically integrated, tunable semiconductor laser with an optical waveguide, comprising a laser chip having epitaxial layers on a substrate and having first and second reflectors bounding an optical gain section and a passive section, wherein at least one of the reflectors is a distributed Bragg reflector section comprising a grating and configured to have a tunable reflection spectrum, wherein the laser is provided with a common earth electrode, wherein control electrodes are provided on the optical waveguide in at least the optical gain section and the at least one distributed Bragg reflector section, wherein the passive section is provided with an electrode or electrical tracking on the optical waveguide, the passive section is configured not to be drivable by an electrical control signal, and no grating is present within the passive section.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: OCLARO TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Sam Davies, Neil David Whitbread, Andrew John Ward, Robert Griffin
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Publication number: 20150147024Abstract: Sacrificial optical test structures are constructed upon a wafer of pre-cleaved optical chips for testing the optical functions of the pre-cleaved optical chips. The sacrificial optical structures are disabled upon the cleaving the optical chips from the wafer and the cleaved optical chips can be used for their desired end functions. The test structures may remain on the cleaved optical chips or they may be discarded.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: OCLARO TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Neil David Whitbread, Lloyd Nicholas Langley, Andrew Cannon Carter
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Patent number: 9013785Abstract: A widely tunable multi-mode semiconductor laser containing only two electrically active sections, being an optical gain section and a tunable distributed Bragg reflector section adapted to reflect at a plurality of wavelengths, wherein the gain section is bounded by the tunable distributed Bragg reflector section and a broadband facet reflector, and wherein the tunable distributed Bragg reflector section comprises a plurality of discrete segments capable of being selectively tuned, wherein the reflection spectra of one or more segments of the tunable distributed Bragg reflector section can be tuned lower in wavelength to reflect with the reflection spectrum of a further segment of the tunable distributed Bragg reflector section to provide a wavelength range of enhanced reflectivity. An optical transmitter comprising a light source that is such a widely tunable multi-mode semiconductor laser.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Oclaro Technology LimitedInventors: Neil David Whitbread, Andrew Cannon Carter
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Publication number: 20150010033Abstract: A monolithically integrated, tunable semiconductor laser with an optical waveguide, comprising a laser chip having epitaxial layers on a substrate and having first and second reflectors bounding an optical gain section and a passive section, wherein at least one of the reflectors is a distributed Bragg reflector section comprising a grating and configured to have a tunable reflection spectrum, wherein the laser is provided with a common earth electrode, wherein control electrodes are provided on the optical waveguide in at least the optical gain section and the at least one distributed Bragg reflector section, wherein the passive section is provided with an electrode or electrical tracking on the optical waveguide, the passive section is configured not to be drivable by an electrical control signal, and no grating is present within the passive section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Sam Davies, Neil David Whitbread, Andrew John Ward, Robert Griffin
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Patent number: 8916874Abstract: Sacrificial optical test structures are constructed upon a wafer of pre-cleaved optical chips for testing the optical functions of the pre-cleaved optical chips. The sacrificial optical structures are disabled upon the cleaving the optical chips from the wafer and the cleaved optical chips can be used for their desired end functions. The test structures may remain on the cleaved optical chips or they may be discarded.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Oclaro Technology LimitedInventors: Neil David Whitbread, Lloyd Nicholas Langley, Andrew Cannon Carter
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Publication number: 20140300953Abstract: A widely tunable multi-mode semiconductor laser containing only two electrically active sections, being an optical gain section and a tunable distributed Bragg reflector section adapted to reflect at a plurality of wavelengths, wherein the gain section is bounded by the tunable distributed Bragg reflector section and a broadband facet reflector, and wherein the tunable distributed Bragg reflector section comprises a plurality of discrete segments capable of being selectively tuned, wherein the reflection spectra of one or more segments of the tunable distributed Bragg reflector section can be tuned lower in wavelength to reflect with the reflection spectrum of a further segment of the tunable distributed Bragg reflector section to provide a wavelength range of enhanced reflectivity. An optical transmitter comprising a light source that is such a widely tunable multi-mode semiconductor laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: OCLARO TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Neil David Whitbread, Andrew Cannon Carter
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Publication number: 20140301416Abstract: A monolithically integrated, tunable semiconductor laser with an optical waveguide, comprising epitaxial layers on a substrate and having first and second reflectors bounding an optical gain section and a non-driven region, wherein at least one of the reflectors is a distributed Bragg reflector section configured to have a tunable reflection spectrum, wherein control electrodes are provided to at least the optical gain section, and the distributed Bragg reflector section, and wherein the non-driven region has a length of at least 100 ?m, is without an electrical contact directly contacting onto the epitaxially grown side of the non-driven region, and the non-driven region is without a reflective Bragg grating within the epitaxial layers of the non-driven region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: OCLARO TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Sam Davies, Neil David Whitbread, Andrew Ward
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Patent number: 8749772Abstract: An optical wavelength monitor photodiode integrated on a wafer and/or an optical device and coupled to optical components thereof provides wavelength measurement. The optical wavelength monitor includes a photodiode configured to output a signal that is representative of a wavelength of the light. An additional photodiode may be included in the optical wavelength monitor, each photodiode differing from the other in operating characteristics. The monitor may be used in testing the optical device while in wafer form and when the optical device has been cleaved from the wafer at the bar level. Testing/monitoring of the optical device may also be performed during use, for example, to control the wavelength of a laser such as a tunable laser.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Oclaro Technology LimitedInventors: Giacinto Busico, Neil David Whitbread, Andrew John Ward, Andrew Moseley
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Publication number: 20130182731Abstract: There is described a laser assembly for providing light at a switchable output wavelength. The assembly comprises first and second tuneable lasers, each configurable to emit light at a laser wavelength chosen from a range of wavelengths. Light is transmitted from the first laser while the second laser is retuned to change the chosen laser wavelength thereof. Each laser comprises one or more thermally sensitive control components for controlling the operation of the laser and an additional component electrode located adjacent to at least one of the one or more control components. The laser is configured so that the sum of electrical currents supplied to each control component and its corresponding additional component remains substantially constant in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: OCLARO TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: Neil David Whitbread, Andrew Cannon Carter
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Publication number: 20120162648Abstract: An optical wavelength monitor photodiode integrated on a wafer and/or an optical device and coupled to optical components thereof provides wavelength measurement. The optical wavelength monitor includes a photodiode configured to output a signal that is representative of a wavelength of the light. An additional photodiode may be included in the optical wavelength monitor, each photodiode differing from the other in operating characteristics. The monitor may be used in testing the optical device while in wafer form and when the optical device has been cleaved from the wafer at the bar level. Testing/monitoring of the optical device may also be performed during use, for example, to control the wavelength of a laser such as a tunable laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Inventors: Giacinto Busico, Neil David Whitbread, Andrew John Ward, Andrew Moseley
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Publication number: 20120104389Abstract: Sacrificial optical test structures are constructed upon a wafer (100) of pre-cleaved optical chips (10) for testing the optical functions of the pre-cleaved optical chips (10). The sacrificial optical structures are disabled upon the cleaving the optical chips (10) from the wafer (100) and the cleaved optical chips (10) can be used for their desired end functions. The test structures may remain on the cleaved optical chips (10) or they may be discarded.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Neil David Whitbread, Lloyd Nicholas Langley, Andrew Cannon Carter
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Patent number: 6956652Abstract: An optical autocorrelator comprises an optical waveguide (40) of semiconductor material which exhibits two photon absorption at a wavelength at which the autocorrelator is intended to operate. Reflecting means (46) are provided at a part of the waveguide which is remote to an end (42) in which an optical pulse (44) is input for reflecting the optical pulse such as to generate counter-propagating optical pulses in the waveguide. A plurality of electrodes (481-48N) are disposed along the waveguide for measuring a two photon absorption photocurrent (i1-in) generated in the waveguide by the counter-propagating optical pulses.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Bookham Technology, plcInventors: Neil David Whitbread, Andrew Cannon Carter