Patents by Inventor Richard William Ridgway
Richard William Ridgway 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: 6931192Abstract: The present invention provides for polarization independence in electrooptic waveguides. Specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic waveguide for an optical signal is provided. The waveguide comprises a plurality of control electrodes, an optical waveguide core defining a primary axis of propagation, and an electrooptic cladding at least partially surrounding the core. The control electrodes are positioned to generate a contoured electric field across the cladding. The cladding is poled along a poling contour. The contoured electric field and/or the poling contour are asymmetric relative to a plane intersecting the waveguide core and extending along the primary axis of propagation. The electrooptic cladding defines at least two cladding regions on opposite sides of the waveguide core.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Richard William Ridgway, Van Earl Wood, David William Nippa
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Patent number: 6853758Abstract: The present invention present a means for addressing PDL, PMD, and other polarization-related performance issues in optical components and systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated optical device is provided. The device comprises: (i) first and second optical waveguide arms arranged to define an optical signal splitting region near an input side of the integrated optical device and an optical signal combining region near an output side of the integrated optical device and (ii) a functional region between the optical signal splitting and combining regions. The first and second optical waveguide arms comprise first and second waveguide cores passing through a first electrooptic portion of the functional region. First and second sets of control electrodes are positioned to generate electric fields in the first and second portions of the functional region.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Optimer Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Richard William Ridgway, David William Nippa
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Publication number: 20040234189Abstract: The present invention provides for polarization independence in electrooptic waveguides. Specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic waveguide for an optical signal is provided. The waveguide comprises a plurality of control electrodes, an optical waveguide core defining a primary axis of propagation, and an electrooptic cladding at least partially surrounding the core. The control electrodes are positioned to generate a contoured electric field across the cladding. The cladding is poled along a poling contour. The contoured electric field and/or the poling contour are asymmetric relative to a plane intersecting the waveguide core and extending along the primary axis of propagation. The electrooptic cladding defines at least two cladding regions on opposite sides of the waveguide core.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Richard William Ridgway, Van Eal Wood, David William Nippa
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Patent number: 6795597Abstract: The present invention provides for polarization independence in electrooptic waveguides. Specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic waveguide for an optical signal is provided. The waveguide comprises a plurality of control electrodes, an optical waveguide core defining a primary axis of propagation, and an electrooptic cladding at least partially surrounding the core. The control electrodes are positioned to generate a contoured electric field across the cladding. The cladding is poled along a poling contour. The contoured electric field and/or the poling contour are asymmetric relative to a plane intersecting the waveguide core and extending along the primary axis of propagation. The electrooptic cladding defines at least two cladding regions on opposite sides of the waveguide core.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Optimer Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Richard William Ridgway, David William Nippa, Richard Davis, Van Earl Wood
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Patent number: 6785435Abstract: Waveguides and integrated optical devices incorporating optically functional cladding regions are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic clad waveguide is provided with an optical waveguide core and first and second electrooptic cladding regions. The optical waveguide core is a substantially non-electrooptic material. The cladding regions are electrooptic polymers defining a refractive index that is less than that of the core. The first and second cladding regions may be configured such that their polar axes are oriented in opposite directions, different directions, or along a contour of an electric field. Additional embodiments of the present invention utilize other types of optically functional materials in the cladding regions.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Richard William Ridgway, Van Earl Wood, David William Nippa
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Patent number: 6782149Abstract: The present invention provides for polarization independence in electrooptic waveguides. Specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic waveguide for an optical signal is provided. The waveguide comprises a plurality of control electrodes, an optical waveguide core defining a primary axis of propagation, and an electrooptic cladding at least partially surrounding the core. The control electrodes are positioned to generate a contoured electric field across the cladding. The cladding is poled along a poling contour. The contoured electric field and/or the poling contour are asymmetric relative to a plane intersecting the waveguide core and extending along the primary axis of propagation. The electrooptic cladding defines at least two cladding regions on opposite sides of the waveguide core.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Richard William Ridgway, Van Earl Wood, David William Nippa
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Patent number: 6687425Abstract: Waveguides and integrated optical devices incorporating optically functional cladding regions are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic clad waveguide is provided with an optical waveguide core and first and second electrooptic cladding regions. The optical waveguide core is a substantially non-electrooptic material. The cladding regions are electrooptic polymers defining a refractive index that is less than that of the core. The first and second cladding regions may be poled in opposite or perpendicular directions or along a contour of an electric field. Additional embodiments of the present invention utilize other types of optically functional materials in the cladding regions.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Richard William Ridgway, Van Earl Wood, David William Nippa
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Publication number: 20040008916Abstract: The present invention present a means for addressing PDL, PMD, and other polarization-related performance issues in optical components and systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated optical device is provided. The device comprises: (i) first and second optical waveguide arms arranged to define an optical signal splitting region near an input side of the integrated optical device and an optical signal combining region near an output side of the integrated optical device and (ii) a functional region between the optical signal splitting and combining regions. The first and second optical waveguide arms comprise first and second waveguide cores passing through a first electrooptic portion of the functional region. First and second sets of control electrodes are positioned to generate electric fields in the first and second portions of the functional region.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2002Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventors: Richard William Ridgway, David William Nippa
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Publication number: 20030174982Abstract: The present invention provides for polarization independence in electrooptic waveguides. Specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic waveguide for an optical signal is provided. The waveguide comprises a plurality of control electrodes, an optical waveguide core defining a primary axis of propagation, and an electrooptic cladding at least partially surrounding the core. The control electrodes are positioned to generate a contoured electric field across the cladding. The cladding is poled along a poling contour. The contoured electric field and/or the poling contour are asymmetric relative to a plane intersecting the waveguide core and extending along the primary axis of propagation. The electrooptic cladding defines at least two cladding regions on opposite sides of the waveguide core.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Richard William Ridgway, David William Nippa, Richard Davis, Van Earl Wood
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Publication number: 20030169958Abstract: Waveguides and integrated optical devices incorporating optically functional cladding regions are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic clad waveguide is provided with an optical waveguide core and first and second electrooptic cladding regions. The optical waveguide core is a substantially non-electrooptic material. The cladding regions are electrooptic polymers defining a refractive index that is less than that of the core. The first and second cladding regions may be configured such that their polar axes are oriented in opposite directions, different directions, or along a contour of an electric field. Additional embodiments of the present invention utilize other types of optically functional materials in the cladding regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventors: Richard William Ridgway, Van Earl Wood, David William Nippa
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Publication number: 20030059189Abstract: Waveguides and integrated optical devices incorporating optically functional cladding regions are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic clad waveguide is provided with an optical waveguide core and first and second electrooptic cladding regions. The optical waveguide core is a substantially non-electrooptic material. The cladding regions are electrooptic polymers defining a refractive index that is less than that of the core. The first and second cladding regions may be poled in opposite or perpendicular directions or along a contour of an electric field. Additional embodiments of the present invention utilize other types of optically functional materials in the cladding regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2001Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Richard William Ridgway, Van Earl Wood, David William Nippa
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Publication number: 20030026572Abstract: The present invention provides for polarization independence in electrooptic waveguides. Specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrooptic waveguide for an optical signal is provided. The waveguide comprises a plurality of control electrodes, an optical waveguide core defining a primary axis of propagation, and an electrooptic cladding at least partially surrounding the core. The control electrodes are positioned to generate a contoured electric field across the cladding. The cladding is poled along a poling contour. The contoured electric field and/or the poling contour are asymmetric relative to a plane intersecting the waveguide core and extending along the primary axis of propagation. The electrooptic cladding defines at least two cladding regions on opposite sides of the waveguide core.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: Richard William Ridgway, Van Earl Wood, David William Nippa