Patents Assigned to Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9244266
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter is formed in the structure of an etalon. A thin electro-optic ceramic substrate is fixed between two end substrates. Each end substrate has an inner parallel surface toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer. An adhesive which attaches the electro-optic ceramic substrate to each first and second end substrates has a consistency so as to avoid stress on the electro-optic ceramic substrate. A voltage imposed on the electro-optic ceramic substrate by the electrode layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between the reflective coating layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates of the etalon structure. The electro-optic ceramic substrate is preferably PMN-PT ((1?x)Pb (Mg? Nb?) O3-x—Pb Ti O3) and no more than 160 ?m thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing-Jong Pan
  • Patent number: 8934164
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter is formed in the structure of an etalon. A thin electro-optic ceramic substrate is fixed between two end substrates. Each end substrate has an inner parallel surface toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer. An adhesive which attaches the electro-optic ceramic substrate to each first and second end substrates has a consistency so as to avoid stress on the electro-optic ceramic substrate. A voltage imposed on the electro-optic ceramic substrate by the electrode layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between the reflective coating layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates of the etalon structure. The electro-optic ceramic substrate is preferably PMN-PT ((1-x)Pb(Mg?Nb?)O3-x—PbTiO3) and no more than 160 ?m thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing-Jong Pan
  • Publication number: 20140204443
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter is formed in the structure of an etalon. A thin electro-optic ceramic substrate is fixed between two end substrates. Each end substrate has an inner parallel surface toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer. An adhesive which attaches the electro-optic ceramic substrate to each first and second end substrates has a consistency so as to avoid stress on the electro-optic ceramic substrate. A voltage imposed on the electro-optic ceramic substrate by the electrode layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between the reflective coating layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates of the etalon structure. The electro-optic ceramic substrate is preferably PMN-PT ((1-x)Pb(Mg?Nb?)O3-x—PbTiO3) and no more than 160 ?m thick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing-Jong Pan
  • Patent number: 8559090
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter is formed in the structure of an etalon. A thin electro-optic ceramic substrate is fixed between two end substrates. Each end substrate has an inner parallel surface toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer. An adhesive which attaches the electro-optic ceramic substrate to each first and second end substrates has a consistency so as to avoid stress on the electro-optic ceramic substrate. A voltage imposed on the electro-optic ceramic substrate by the electrode layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between the reflective coating layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates of the etalon structure. The electro-optic ceramic substrate is preferably PMN-PT ((1-x)Pb(Mg?Nb?)O3-x—PbTiO3) and no more than 160 ?m thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing Jong Pan
  • Patent number: 8049894
    Abstract: A device and method of operation for analyzing signal features over multiple optical wavelengths is presented. A plurality of rotating thin film filters is arranged with respect to a collimated beam of light so that each thin film filter transmits light of a particular wavelength to a detector unit responsive to an angle of incidence of light upon the thin film filter when the thin film filter optically interposes the collimated light beam. Each of the plurality of thin film filters is optically interposed periodically and rotated so that the angle of incidence of light from the first input unit upon the thin film filter varies when the thin film filter is optically interposed to scan the light by wavelength within a selected wavelength band into a detector unit for measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Jong Pan, Zhengda Pang, Yonghong Guo
  • Patent number: 8036506
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter is formed by the longitudinal alignment of two opposing end sections of single-mode optical fibers. On at least one of the end sections is a collimator fiber section which is formed from a section of a graded-index, multimode optical fiber which is an odd number of quarter pitches long. The collimator fiber section has an angled end surface which joined to the reciprocally angled end surface of the at least one single-mode optical fiber end section. Piezoelectric material controls the separation between the first and second single-mode optical fiber end sections and sets the wavelengths of optical signals carried through the first and second single-mode optical fiber end sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing Jong Pan
  • Patent number: 7362504
    Abstract: Miniature optical devices, including circulator array devices, are fabricated using thin film coating technology. A typical optical device includes two refraction elements arranged opposite each other along a propagation axis and coupled on opposite ends to first and second polarization orientation elements with first and second PBS elements are coupled to the first and second polarization orientation elements, respectively. The refraction elements include complementary Wollaston Prism elements or Rochon Prism elements. Each polarization orientation element includes a Faraday rotator element, and in some embodiments, a half-wave plate formed using thin film coating techniques. The Faraday rotator elements are periodically poled in some embodiments using selective poling techniques to create oppositely oriented magnetic domains so that polarization rotations of 45 degrees in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions can be simultaneously achieved on the same magnetic garnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Lightwave 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Ming Zhou, Hong-Xi Zhang, Feng-Qing Zhou
  • Patent number: 7130121
    Abstract: An EDFA with integrated input and output modules is presented. The integrated input module has a packaged pump laser diode mounted to the metal EDFA package to provide a heat sink for the pump laser diode which sends the pump laser light over a optical fiber section connected to the amplifying erbium-doped optical fiber section. The fiber section is formed from an optical fiber which better matches the transmission modes in the erbium-doped optical fiber section and has an end subsection of the single mode fiber for a larger numerical aperture. Collimating lenses also increase the coupling efficiency of the laser diode to the erbium-doped fiber section. The integrated output module has a photodiode with a tap filter to monitor the output power of the EDFA, an optical isolator to prevent interference in the erbium-doped optical fiber section. With a twin optical isolator, the integrated input and output modules can be arranged in different ways and combinations with the erbium-doped optical fiber section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Xiangdong Qiu, Kejian Guan, Mingjie Zhang
  • Publication number: 20060158718
    Abstract: An EDFA with integrated input and output modules is presented. The integrated input module has a packaged pump laser diode mounted to the metal EDFA package to provide a heat sink for the pump laser diode which sends the pump laser light over a optical fiber section connected to the amplifying erbium-doped optical fiber section. The fiber section is formed from an optical fiber which better matches the transmission modes in the erbium-doped optical fiber section and has an end subsection of the single mode fiber for a larger numerical aperture. Collimating lenses also increase the coupling efficiency of the laser diode to the erbium-doped fiber section. The integrated output module has a photodiode with a tap filter to monitor the output power of the EDFA, an optical isolator to prevent interference in the erbium-doped optical fiber section. With a twin optical isolator, the integrated input and output modules can be arranged in different ways and combinations with the erbium-doped optical fiber section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Xiangdong Qiu, Kejian Guan, Mingjie Zhang
  • Patent number: 7058257
    Abstract: A miniature WDM add/drop multiplexer and its manufacture is described. The device has a plurality of wavelength-dependent filters in the form of thin-film filters mounted to a core frame with the end sections of the input/output optical fiber and other optical fibers associated with each of the filters. The stresses associated with the filters are accounted for. The core frame is sealed, together with the overall package assembly, to provide for long-term reliability of the device. The described device and method of manufacture is also generally applicable to WDM multiplexers and demultiplexers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Yousheng (Eugene) Wu
  • Patent number: 7044660
    Abstract: An EDFA with integrated input and output modules is presented. The integrated input module has a packaged pump laser diode mounted to the metal EDFA package to provide a heat sink for the pump laser diode which sends the pump laser light over a optical fiber section connected to the amplifying erbium-doped optical fiber section. The fiber section is formed from an optical fiber which better matches the transmission modes in the erbium-doped optical fiber section and has an end subsection of the single mode fiber for a larger numerical aperture. Collimating lenses also increase the coupling efficiency of the laser diode to the erbium-doped fiber section. The integrated output module has a photodiode with a tap filter to monitor the output power of the EDFA, an optical isolator to prevent interference in the erbium-doped optical fiber section. With a twin optical isolator, the integrated input and output modules can be arranged in different ways and combinations with the erbium-doped optical fiber section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Xiangdong Qiu, Kejian Guan, Mingjie Zhang
  • Patent number: 7035501
    Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal cell units are used for reflecting or transmitting incident light responsive to control signals. A cholesteric liquid crystal cell unit has a first cholesteric liquid crystal cell and a second cholesteric liquid crystal cell. The second cholesteric liquid crystal cell respectively reflects or transmit lights from the first cholesteric liquid crystal cell responsive to a control signal when the first cholesteric liquid crystal cell reflects circularly polarized light of one state or transmits the incident light. In one embodiment of the cell unit, a ?-phase waveplate element is located between the first and second cholesteric liquid crystal cells. With the cholesteric liquid crystal cell units, devices such as optical switches, and WDM add/drop multiplexers, and optical switch systems with arrays of input and output optical fibers between a switching matrix formed by the cholesteric liquid crystal cell units, may be constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Hai-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 6987611
    Abstract: Miniature optical devices, including circulator array devices, are fabricated using thin film coating technology. A typical optical device includes two refraction elements arranged opposite each other along a propagation axis and coupled on opposite ends to first and second polarization orientation elements with first and second PBS elements are coupled to the first and second polarization orientation elements, respectively. The refraction elements include complementary Wollaston Prism elements or Rochon Prism elements. Each polarization orientation element includes a Faraday rotator element, and in some embodiments, a half-wave plate formed using thin film coating techniques. The Faraday rotator elements are periodically poled in some embodiments using selective poling techniques to create oppositely oriented magnetic domains so that polarization rotations of 45° in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions can be simultaneously achieved on the same magnetic garnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Ming Zhou, Hong-Xi Zhang, Feng-Qing Zhou
  • Patent number: 6922281
    Abstract: An EDFA with integrated input and output modules is presented. The integrated input module has a packaged pump laser diode mounted to the metal EDFA package to provide a heat sink for the pump laser diode which sends the pump laser light over a optical fiber section connected to the amplifying erbium-doped optical fiber section. The fiber section is formed from an optical fiber which better matches the transmission modes in the erbium-doped optical fiber section and has an end subsection of the single mode fiber for a larger numerical aperture. Collimating lenses also increase the coupling efficiency of the laser diode to the erbium-doped fiber section. The integrated output module has a photodiode with a tap filter to monitor the output power of the EDFA, an optical isolator to prevent interference in the erbium-doped optical fiber section. With a twin optical isolator, the integrated input and output modules can be arranged in different ways and combinations with the erbium-doped optical fiber section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Xiangdong Qiu, Kejian Guan, Mingjie Zhang
  • Publication number: 20040263972
    Abstract: Miniature optical devices, including circulator array devices, are fabricated using thin film coating technology. A typical optical device includes two refraction elements arranged opposite each other along a propagation axis and coupled on opposite ends to first and second polarization orientation elements with first and second PBS elements are coupled to the first and second polarization orientation elements, respectively. The refraction elements include complementary Wollaston Prism elements or Rochon Prism elements. Each polarization orientation element includes a Faraday rotator element, and in some embodiments, a half-wave plate formed using thin film coating techniques. The Faraday rotator elements are periodically poled in some embodiments using selective poling techniques to create oppositely oriented magnetic domains so that polarization rotations of 45° in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions can be simultaneously achieved on the same magnetic garnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Ming Zhou, Hong-Xi Zhang, Feng-Qing Zhou
  • Patent number: 6834137
    Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal cell units are used for reflecting or transmitting incident light responsive to control signals. A cholesteric liquid crystal cell unit has a first cholesteric liquid crystal cell and a second cholesteric liquid crystal cell. The second cholesteric liquid crystal cell respectively reflects or transmit lights from the first cholesteric liquid crystal cell responsive to a control signal when the first cholesteric liquid crystal cell reflects circularly polarized light of one state or transmits the incident light. In one embodiment of the cell unit, a &pgr;-phase waveplate element is located between the first and second cholesteric liquid crystal cells. With the cholesteric liquid crystal cell units, devices such as optical switches, and WDM add/drop multiplexers, and optical switch systems with arrays of input and output optical fibers between a switching matrix formed by the cholesteric liquid crystal cell units, may be constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Hai-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 6813416
    Abstract: A miniature fiberoptic filter and manufacturing method is disclosed. Two aligned optical fibers, each with a step index multimode optical fiber segment and a graded index multimode optical fiber segment attached to the corresponding optical fiber, form the filter. The lengths of the step index and graded index multimode optical fiber segments define a collimation and focusing function for light from and to the optical fibers, and dielectric coatings covering the free end surface of the graded index multimode optical fiber segment of one optical fiber define a wavelength-dependent optical filter. The optical fibers are arranged and oriented so that light from the core of the first optical fiber passing through the plurality of dielectric coatings enters the core of the second optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing-Jong Pan
  • Patent number: 6801183
    Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit arrangement for liquid crystal cells in optical devices is presented. In an optical device, a liquid crystal cell typically manipulates the optical signals according to an output optical property, such as attenuation, responsive to an AC voltage source electrical signal. A feedback circuit arrangement is connected to the liquid crystal cell and controls the current through the liquid crystal cell with respect to temperature by a predetermined control equations for the output optical property so that the device manipulates the optical signals independently of temperature. The current follows the control equations, which are empirically determined with respect to temperature for one equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Xiangdong Qiu, Hai-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 6795242
    Abstract: Miniature optical devices, including circulator array devices, are fabricated using thin film coating technology. A typical optical device includes two refraction elements arranged opposite each other along a propagation axis and coupled on opposite ends to first and second polarization orientation elements with first and second PBS elements are coupled to the first and second polarization orientation elements, respectively. The refraction elements include complementary Wollaston Prism elements or Rochon Prism elements. Each polarization orientation element includes a Faraday rotator element, and in some embodiments, a half-wave plate formed using thin film coating techniques. The Faraday rotator elements are periodically poled in some embodiments using selective poling techniques to create oppositely oriented magnetic domains so that polarization rotations of 45° in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions can be simultaneously achieved on the same magnetic garnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Ming Zhou, Hong-Xi Zhang, Feng-Qing Zhou
  • Patent number: 6785431
    Abstract: Miniature optical devices, including circulator array devices, are fabricated using thin film coating technology. A typical optical device according to the present invention includes a spatial walkoff plate (SWP) coupled on opposite ends to first and second polarization orientation elements. First and second polarization beam splitter (PBS) elements are coupled to the first and second polarization orientation elements, respectively. The PBS elements are formed using thin film coating techniques and each includes an array of port coupling regions for coupling to an array of input/output fiber port assemblies. The SWP may be formed using thin film coating techniques or cut from a birefringent single crystal. Each polarization orientation element includes a Faraday rotator element, and in some embodiments, each also includes a wave plate formed using thin film coating techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Jong Pan, Ming Zhou, Hong-Xi Zhang, Feng-Qing Zhou