Diffraction Grating (e.g., Bragg) Patents (Class 385/10)
  • Patent number: 7792402
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an optical waveguide, a grating for coupling light into the waveguide, and an optical element for splitting a light beam into a plurality of beams that strike the grating at different angles of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Chubing Peng
  • Patent number: 7783151
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a distributed Bragg reflector waveguide is disclosed, which includes forming a first distributed Bragg reflector on a substrate; forming a sacrificial pattern on the first distributed Bragg reflector; forming a second distributed Bragg reflector on the sacrificial pattern and the first distributed Bragg reflector; and removing the sacrificial pattern. A distributed Bragg reflector waveguide is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Chii-Chang Chen, Hua-Kung Chiu
  • Publication number: 20100202725
    Abstract: An Electrically Switchable Bragg Grating (ESBG) despeckler device comprising at least one ESBG element recorded in a hPDLC sandwiched between transparent substrates to which transparent conductive coatings have been applied. At least one of said coatings is patterned to provide a two-dimensional array of independently switchable ESBG pixels. Each ESBG pixel has a first unique speckle state under said first applied voltage and a second unique speckle state under said second applied voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: SBG LABS INC.
    Inventors: Milan Momcilo Popovich, Jonathan David Waldern, John James Storey
  • Patent number: 7760970
    Abstract: A single-photon absorption all-optical modulator, systems employing the same, and methods of making and using the same. An illustrative example is provided based on silicon semiconductor technology that employs rectangular waveguides. In some embodiments, it is observed that the waveguides operate with an absorption density of less than 1017 cm?1s?1mW?1 to provide a single-photon absorption operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Tom Baehr-Jones, Michael J. Hochberg, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20100166356
    Abstract: In an optical modulator, a first electrode portion having a plurality of first electrodes is provided on the upper surface of a base part having a periodically-poled structure and a second electrode portion is provided on the lower surface thereof, and voltage is applied in one direction between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, to thereby cause a periodic change of the refractive index in a polarization-part array direction in the periodically-poled structure and diffract light which enters the base part. This allows reduction in the voltage applied between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, and it is thereby possible to form a desired electric field inside the periodically-poled structure while achieving a high-density channel arrangement. By reducing the voltage, the rate of the optical modulation performed by the optical modulator can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Masahide OKAZAKI, Toshiaki SUHARA
  • Patent number: 7736006
    Abstract: An image-guiding substrate including an image output portion including a plurality of mirrors configured to receive propagated rays and launch the propagated rays toward a viewing region, each mirror having a partial reflectivity of substantially (1/Y)*[1/(X+1)], where X is the number of mirrors remaining to be traversed by a portion of a ray not launched by the mirror and 1/Y is an occlusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark O. Freeman, Karlton D. Powell
  • Publication number: 20100104235
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a distributed Bragg reflector waveguide is disclosed, which includes forming a first distributed Bragg reflector on a substrate; forming a sacrificial pattern on the first distributed Bragg reflector; forming a second distributed Bragg reflector on the sacrificial pattern and the first distributed Bragg reflector; and removing the sacrificial pattern. A distributed Bragg reflector waveguide is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chii-Chang Chen, Hua-Kung Chiu
  • Patent number: 7700936
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of producing an optoelectronic nanostructure includes preparing a substrate; providing a quantum well layer on the substrate; etching a volume of the substrate to produce a photonic crystal. The quantum dots are produced at multiple intersections of the quantum well layer within the photonic crystal. Multiple quantum well layers may also be provided so as to form multiple vertically aligned quantum dots. In another embodiment, an optoelectronic nanostructure includes a photonic crystal having a plurality of voids and interconnecting veins; a plurality of quantum dots arranged between the plurality of voids, wherein an electrical connection is provided to one or more of the plurality of quantum dots through an associated interconnecting vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Janusz Murakowski, Garrett Schneider, Dennis W. Prather
  • Patent number: 7702190
    Abstract: An optical fiber strain sensor, a method of fabricating the same, and a method of sensing strain (1200). The method of strain sensing comprises providing an optical fiber having at least a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and a second FBG formed therein (1202); subjecting the optical fiber to a strain inducing force such that a grating period in the first FBG compresses and a grating period in the second FBG extends (1204); and optically interrogating the first and second FBG to determine peak reflection wavelengths of the first and second FBGs respectively (1206), whereby a separation between the peak reflection wavelengths of the first and second FBGs is representative of the strain induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jianzhong Hao, Jun Hong Ng, Shiro Takahasi
  • Patent number: 7693371
    Abstract: A chirp optical waveguide includes a chirp grating formed in a ferroelectric substrate, and a waveguide part orthogonal to the chirp grating. The chirp grating has a plurality of grating segments and has a normalized grating period ?x/?0 that increases exponentially in each grating segment and decreases stepwise from each grating segment to a following one of the grating segments, where ?0 is an initial grating period at the wave propagation distance of zero, and ?x is a grating period at the wave propagation distance of x. The chirp grating provides high wave conversion efficiency for short pulse widths and effectively compensates for a reduction in conversion efficiency due to chromatic dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: I Shou University
    Inventors: Shih-Chiang Lin, Nai-Hsiang Sun
  • Patent number: 7689087
    Abstract: A method of inducing birefringence in an optical waveguide is disclosed wherein the waveguide cladding is irradiated with energy of a sufficient intensity so as to induce a stress in the optical waveguide so as to cause a multitude of spaced stress induced regions within the cladding of the optical waveguide such that there are 10 to 5000 spaced regions per mm and wherein the stress induced regions are proximate the core greater than 2 microns distance from the core-cladding interface. This waveguide has numerous uses, for example a fiber sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, Through the Communications Research Centre Canada
    Inventors: Stephen J. Mihailov, Dan Grobnic, Christopher W. Smelser, Robert B. Walker, Ping Lu, Xiaoli Dai, Huimin Ding, Gino Cuglietta
  • Patent number: 7680374
    Abstract: An apodised Bragg grating comprises a base grating section formed by a base order 5 periodic pattern of marks and spaces. The Bragg grating further comprises one or more apodised grating sections that are formed by a periodic pattern of marks and spaces, each defined by the base order pattern from which at least some of the marks are missing. The determination of which marks are missing may be performed by combining the base order pattern with a higher order modulation envelope function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Oclaro Technology plc
    Inventors: Douglas Charles John Reid, Andrew John Ward
  • Publication number: 20100054656
    Abstract: An optical modulator is provided. The optical modulator includes a ridge-shaped active region comprising a plurality of alternating high and low index layers. The ridge-shaped active region is used to confine a selective optical mode for optical modulation. A plurality of oxidized layers positioned so as to confine the selective optical mode in the middle region of the ridge-shaped active region. The oxidized layers enable the optical modulator to withstand high operating voltages both in reverse and forward bias without concern of breakdown or carrier loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Leslie A. Kolodziejski, Gale S. Petrich, Orit Shamir
  • Patent number: 7657132
    Abstract: An optoelectronic-RF device has at least one optical modulator/sensor comprising at least two cascaded optical-waveguide gratings and at least one non-grating optical waveguide segment interconnecting the at least two cascaded optical-waveguide gratings, with at least one optical waveguide segment interconnecting the at least two cascaded optical-waveguide gratings via the at least one non-grating optical waveguide segment. An RF waveguide is provided for propagating an RF electric field, the at least one optical modulator/sensor being disposed in and forming a portion of the RF waveguide with light propagating through the cascaded optical-waveguide gratings in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the RF electric field in the RF waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Yap, David L. Persechini, Kevin Geary
  • Patent number: 7643712
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device which can increase the spread of a beam diameter in the depthwise direction by a simple configuration in comparison with that by prior art devices. The optical device includes a substrate, an optical path formed on the substrate, and a diffraction propagation region, provided between the optical path and an end face of the substrate, for propagating light emitted from the optical path with diffraction. The diffraction propagation region includes a first groove, formed therein, adapted to block part of components of the propagated light in a depthwise direction of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masaharu Doi, Tetsu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7639911
    Abstract: Provided is an optical device having an optical waveguide including an organic Bragg grating sheet. The optical device includes a cladding layer, and an optical waveguide. The cladding layer is formed on a substrate, and the optical waveguide is formed within the cladding layer. The optical waveguide includes a core layer and an organic Bragg grating sheet located within the core layer. The organic Bragg grating sheet has a refractive index higher than that of the core layer to reflect or transmit light having a predetermined wavelength. Accordingly, light propagates through the optical waveguide with high reflectance and low loss. Besides, a high performance tunable wavelength filter or tunable dispersion compensator may be constructed by forming a thermal electrode on the optical waveguide, forming a tapered optical waveguide, or forming a chirped organic Bragg grating sheet in the middle of the core layer of the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Myung Hyun Lee, Min Su Kim, Jung Jin Ju, Seung Koo Park
  • Publication number: 20090274409
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for deflecting light beams comprises an input deflector and one or more Bragg gratings. The input deflector receives light beams from input channels, and deflects each light beam to an initial deflection angle. A Bragg grating deflects at least one light beam from the initial deflection angle to an increased deflection angle, where the increased deflection angle is at least closer to an output channel than the initial deflection angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Alexei L. Glebov, Vadim I. Smirnov
  • Patent number: 7593609
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for modulating refractive indices of optical fiber gratings, wherein the UV exposure on a least one assigned location of an optical fiber grating is divided into to two UV shots, and the intensities or phases of the two UV shots, which expose the location sequentially, are controlled to make the total exposure intensity of one assigned location maintained at a fixed value, whereby the interference fringes, which are created by a superposition of the two UV shots, have fixed phases and adjustable intensities, and whereby the dc index of the optical fiber grating maintains fixed and the ac index independently adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Kuei Chu Hsu, Yin Chieh Lai
  • Patent number: 7580184
    Abstract: A Gires-Tournois etalon (GTE) (10) comprising an optical fiber (12) in which a primary chirped fiber Bragg grating (FBG) (16) is provided, an RF signal generator (20), a piezoelectric transducer (22), and a glass horn (24), for coupling an acoustic wave (26) into the fiber (12). The acoustic wave (26) causes a periodic compression within the fiber (12), which induces a low frequency periodic refractive index modulation within the grating section (14) of the fiber (12). This causes two side frequency components to be generated for each high-frequency component of the FBG (16). Two secondary grating are thus excited, having the same spectral bandwidth as the FBG (16), but a lower reflectivity and different central wavelengths. The free spectral range of the GTE (10) can be adjusted by varying the frequency of the acoustic wave (26). The reflectivity of the excited secondary gratings can be adjusted by adjusting the amplitude of the acoustic wave (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Aston University
    Inventors: Xuewen Shu, Catherine Anne Sugden, Ian Bennion
  • Patent number: 7567734
    Abstract: An optical sensor for sensing information relating to an analyte liquid or gas, has a a planar substrate having a refractive index nc. The planar substrate supports a ridge waveguide having an unclad top portion having a refractive index nr. The substrate serves as cladding layer for the ridge waveguide at a location where the ridge waveguide contacts the substrate. A Bragg grating inscribed in the ridge waveguide has two modes for providing information relating to both temperature and refractive index of the surrounding analyte liquid or gas. A cladding mode has a different response to the analyte when compared to a Bragg resonance response. Both modes have a same reaction to temperature, wherein said Bragg grating is formed within the unclad region of ridge waveguide, wherein nc.<nr. Advantageously multiple parameters can be sensed using only a single Bragg grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, through the Communications Research Centre Canada
    Inventors: Xiaoli Dai, Stephen J. Mihailov, Robert B. Walker, Chantal Blanchetiere, Claire Callender, Huimin Ding, Ping Lu, Dan Grobnic, Christopher W. Smelser, Gino Cuglietta
  • Patent number: 7565039
    Abstract: Resistive heaters formed in two mask counts on a surface of a grating of a thermo optic device thereby eliminating one mask count from prior art manufacturing methods. The resistive heater is comprised of a heater region and a conductive path region formed together in a first mask count from a relatively high resistance material. A conductor formed from a relatively low resistance material is formed directly on the conductive path region in a second mask count. Thermo optic devices formed by these two mask count methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Singh Sandhu, Guy T. Blalock
  • Publication number: 20090154869
    Abstract: A tunable filter device (2) comprising a waveguide containing a Bragg grating (4), and a planar substrate (6), the planar substrate (6) comprising a core (8), a first cladding (10) on a first side (12) of the core (8), and a second cladding (14) on a second side (16) of the core (8), the waveguide containing the Bragg grating (4) being positioned in the core (8), the planar substrate (6) being such that a part of the first cladding (10) is replaced with a liquid crystal (18), and the tunable filter device (2) being characterized in that the waveguide containing the Bragg grating (4) is ultraviolet light written, the first cladding (10) has a surface which is smooth, flat and uniform due to the waveguide containing the Bragg grating (10) being ultraviolet light written, and the liquid crystal (18) is in contact with the smooth, flat and uniform surface of the first cladding (10) whereby director orientation of the liquid crystal (18) is uniform, controlled and controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: University of Southampton
    Inventors: Ian James Grayston Sparrow, Peter George Robin Smith, Gregory Daniel Emerson, Malgorzata Kaczmarek, Andriy Heorhiyovych Dyadyusha
  • Patent number: 7532776
    Abstract: A core layer of an optical waveguide is grown as a film comprised of an electro-optic material with a rhombohedral structure and grown above a substrate with (100) crystal orientation on a major face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Keisuke Sato, Masao Kondo, Masatoshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 7512291
    Abstract: The invention discloses multi-channel fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogation systems and manufacture thereof. The multi-channel fiber Bragg-grating sensor interrogation unit comprises at least one integrated optic sensor microchip and a signal processing IC-electronics unit in a miniaturized, telecommunications standard, hermetically sealed 2-cm×5-cm SFF single fiber package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Edgar A. Mendoza
  • Patent number: 7509005
    Abstract: Resistive heaters formed in two mask counts on a surface of a grating of a thermo optic device thereby eliminating one mask count from prior art manufacturing methods. The resistive heater is comprised of a heater region and a conductive path region formed together in a first mask count from a relatively high resistance material. A conductor formed from a relatively low resistance material is formed directly on the conductive path region in a second mask count. Thermo optic devices formed by these two mask count methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Singh Sandhu, Guy T. Blalock
  • Patent number: 7507891
    Abstract: The present invention relates an instrument tuner possessing a fiber optic with a prewritten fiber Bragg grating. The tuner is suitable for providing more accurate instrument tuning, capable of not being subject to a tuner's subjectivity or distortions or electromagnetic interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Kin Tak Lau, Pou Man Lam
  • Publication number: 20090067774
    Abstract: Mechanically tunable electromagnetic and photonic devices featuring enhanced spectral tunability with minimal mechanical movement are provided. These nano/micro-electromechanically (N/MEMS) tunable elements, including filters and pixels, rely on leaky-mode resonance effects in subwavelength photonic lattices that constitute periodic wavelengths. Such elements can operate in reflection (bandstop) or transmission (bandpass) modes, and can be arranged in one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrays, or operated as single units, and their spectral regions are controlled by the element design. Input electromagnetic radiation illuminates the element and is then filtered, modulated, analyzed or tuned by the element. Mechanical motion alters the structural symmetry, and therefore, the tuning properties, of the nanostructured subwavelength resonance elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20090060412
    Abstract: A photodetector includes an optical distribution device having an optical input that receives an input optical signal and an optical waveguide grating coupler that converts the input optical signal from a longitudinal direction radiation mode to a surface-emitted radiation mode and that distributes the optical signal along a length of the optical waveguide grating coupler and emits the distributed optical signal from the surface. An optical detector includes an optical input that is positioned to receive the distributed optical signal emitted from the optical distribution device along a length the optical waveguide grating coupler. The optical detector generates a traveling wave RF signal. The optical distribution device reduces the optical power density of the input optical signal, thereby avoiding local saturation and damage to the optical detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: PHOTONIC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jianxiao Chen, Charles Cox
  • Patent number: 7499612
    Abstract: A spectral filter comprises a planar optical waveguide having at least one set of diffractive elements. The waveguide confines in one transverse dimension an optical signal propagating in two other dimensions therein. The waveguide supports multiple transverse modes. Each diffractive element set routes, between input and output ports, a diffracted portion of the optical signal propagating in the planar waveguide and diffracted by the diffractive elements. The diffracted portion of the optical signal reaches the output port as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode optical source may launch the optical signal into the planar waveguide, through the corresponding input optical port, as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode output waveguide may receive, through the output port, the diffracted portion of the optical signal. Multiple diffractive element sets may route corresponding diffracted portions of optical signal between one or more corresponding input and output ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas W. Mossberg, Christoph M. Greiner, Dmitri Iazikov
  • Publication number: 20090052828
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber Bragg grating element which is simply configured and capable of obtaining a high cut-off amount exceeding 40 dB in a wide range. A fiber Bragg grating element of the present invention has a plurality of gratings formed in an optical waveguide having a core and a cladding around the core thereby to perform high rejection filtering on an input optical signal over a desired bandwidth, the gratings being formed with a grating pitch between adjacent two of the gratings increasing toward a center in a longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Uemura, Kazuhiko Kashima, Toshiyuki Inukai
  • Publication number: 20090034900
    Abstract: A band-pass filter includes a photonic crystal having a local mode that generates a pass band in a stop band formed by Bragg reflection, a transmission channel that limits electromagnetic waves propagating in the photonic crystal to a mode in which an amplitude direction of an electrical field is a particular direction; and a magnetic field-applying unit for applying to the photonic crystal a DC magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a propagation direction of the electromagnetic waves. The photonic crystal includes a periodic structure including a low permittivity dielectric member and a plurality of high permittivity dielectric members periodically arranged in the low permittivity dielectric member so that the Bragg reflection occurs in the periodic structure, and a magnetic member disposed in the periodic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takuji Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20090034899
    Abstract: An optical modulator and related methods are described. In accordance with one embodiment, the optical modulator comprises a horizontal waveguide grating structure (WGS) receiving an incident radiation beam propagating in a non-horizontal direction. The WGS includes a horizontal waveguiding layer along which a lateral propagation mode is guided, the lateral propagation mode having a vertically extending mode profile. The optical modulator further comprises a multiple quantum well (MQW) layer sufficiently proximal to the horizontal waveguiding layer to be within a vertical extent of the mode profile of the lateral propagation mode. The optical modulator further comprises an electric field source applying a time-varying electric field to the MQW layer. The optical modulator modulates the incident radiation beam according to the time-varying electric field to generate a modulated radiation beam propagating in one of a transmitted direction and a reflected direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: David Fattal, Michael M. Sigalas, Shih-Yuan Wang
  • Publication number: 20090022448
    Abstract: Optical devices including waveguide grating structures are described. In accordance with one embodiment, an optical device is provided comprising a horizontal waveguide grating structure having at least one waveguiding layer and at least one subwavelength periodic grating layer. The optical device further comprises upper and lower cladding layers immediately adjoining respective upper and lower surfaces of the waveguide grating structure and having refractive indices lower than a lowest-index one of the waveguiding layers, incident radiation propagating through one of the upper and lower cladding layers toward the waveguide grating structure. The waveguide grating structure is configured for peak reflection of the incident radiation at a peak reflection frequency. A cumulative thickness of the waveguiding layers is less than one tenth of a free space wavelength of the incident radiation at the peak reflection frequency divided by an average refractive index of the waveguiding layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Wei Wu, David Fattal, Charles Santori, Robert N. Bicknell, Shih-Yuan Wang, R. Stanley Williams, Nathaniel J. Quitoriano
  • Patent number: 7471854
    Abstract: Provided are a laser module allowing direct light modulation and a laser display employing the laser module. The laser module may include a semiconductor chip, a Volume Bragg Grating (VBG), a pump laser and a non-linear optical element. The semiconductor chip includes an active layer generating light of primary wavelength and a reflective layer providing the generated light to a cavity and reflecting the light within the cavity. The VBG may output light repeatedly reflected between the reflective layer and the VBG. The non-linear optical element disposed outside a cavity between the semiconductor chip and the VBG may convert the light of a first wavelength emitted from the active layer into light of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The laser module having the above-mentioned construction uses an external cavity laser and a non-linear optical element to achieve direct light modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-haeng Cho, Gi-bum Kim, Taek Kim
  • Publication number: 20080316485
    Abstract: Waveguide gratings, biosensors, and methods of using a waveguide grating, including as a biosensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Debra D. Wawro, Sorin Tibuleac, Robert Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20080317400
    Abstract: Area: Optics Optical element with Braggs phase grating that consists of electro-optical material or is embedded in an additional layer. The Braggs phase grating is designed as a series of periodically applied elevations and indentations of the waveguide's surface, coated with one layer of the compensating material and one layer of the electrically isolating material, along the propagation of light. The phase grating is equipped with a means of generating a spatially inhomogeneous, aperiodic, external electrical field. Area of the Invention The invention belongs to the physical area of optics and, in fact, to the optics methods and facilities for spectral filtering of optical radiation. This is based on electro-optical crystals and is to be used to produce narrow-band filters with a broad wave spectrum of changeover to wavelength, and for production of selective optical attenuators and modulators of light and optical equalisers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Victor Petrov
  • Publication number: 20080310789
    Abstract: A method of inducing birefringence in an optical waveguide is disclosed wherein the waveguide cladding is irradiated with energy of a sufficient intensity so as to induce a stress in the optical waveguide so as to cause a multitude of spaced stress induced regions within the cladding of the optical waveguide such that there are 10 to 5000 spaced regions per mm and wherein the stress induced regions are proximate the core greater than 2 microns distance from the core-cladding interface. This waveguide has numerous uses, for example a fiber sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen J. Mihailov, Dan Grobnic, Christopher W. Smelser, Robert B. Walker, Ping Lu, Xiaoli Dai, Huimin Ding, Gino Cuglietta
  • Publication number: 20080309945
    Abstract: A physical quantity measuring system according to the present invention comprises: an optical fiber having fiber Bragg gratings; a light source connected to the optical fiber; an arrayed waveguide grating connected between the light source and the optical fiber via an optical branching filter, and having output channels of which central wavelengths of at least three output channels are included in a one-tenth loss band of a reflected light by the fiber Bragg grating; light receiving devices for receiving light output from the output channels on a one-to-one basis; and a central reflected wavelength change detecting unit connected to the light receiving devices for estimating a change in a central reflected wavelength based on a physical quantity, by calculating first and second group signals from light receiving signals corresponding to the at least three output channels, and by calculating a differential signal between the first and the second group signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Seiji KOJIMA, Shinji KOMATSUZALI
  • Patent number: 7457495
    Abstract: A method of filtering optical signals (300) utilizing an optical fiber (100A-100D). The method of filtering optical signals (300) includes the steps (304) selecting an optical fiber (100A-100D) coupled to a source of optical signals, (306) disposing a core (102) in the bore (103) of the optical fiber (100A-100D) formed of a core material (105), (308) selecting a core material (105) to provide a waveguide within the optical fiber (100A-100D), (310) disposing an optical grating (114-1) in a first optical cladding layer (104) disposed about the core (102), (312) propagating an optical signal within the optical fiber (100A-100D) guided substantially within the core (102), (314) modifying a propagation path of selected wavelengths comprising said optical signal with the optical grating (114-1), and (316) determining selected wavelengths for which the propagation path is modified by selectively varying an energetic stimulus to the core (102) thereby tuning the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Dimmick, Kevin H. Smith, Douglas J. Markos
  • Publication number: 20080285907
    Abstract: A technique is described for creating a localized modulation of an optical fiber's refractive index profile. A segment of optical fiber is loaded into a heating unit having a resistive heating element with a localized heating zone. A selected portion of the fiber segment is positioned within the heating zone, and the heating unit is used to create a refractive index modulation the selected fiber portion. The localized modulation is repeated along the length of the fiber segment to write a fiber grating. Also described is a resistive heating system for performing the described technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Furukawa Electric North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Gruner Nielsen, Torben Erik Veng
  • Patent number: 7434940
    Abstract: A light coupling system includes a waveguide, configured to receive light from at least two light sources and to internally reflect light therein; a diffraction grating, disposed upon the waveguide; and a switchable Bragg grating, disposed upon the waveguide. The diffraction grating is configured to couple light from at least one of the light sources into the waveguide, and the switchable Bragg grating is configured to selectively couple light out of the waveguide, such that the light from the at least two light sources is selectively directed along a common projection axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stuart Allman, Scott Lerner, Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 7415172
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a diffractive waveguide-spatial optical modulator. The diffractive waveguide-spatial optical modulator includes a substrate member, a plurality of reflecting members, and an actuation means. The reflecting members are each formed in a plate shape, are arranged on the substrate member at regular intervals to form a grating array, are configured to form openings therebetween, and are provided with reflecting surfaces formed on the opposite vertical surfaces of the reflecting members and the bottoms of the openings. The actuation means varies the interval between the reflecting members by actuating the reflecting members. The openings between the reflecting members act as wave guides when light is incident on the open sides thereof, and shift the phase of the incident light and then reflect the incident light, so that the reflected light can form diffracted light, when the interval is varied by the reflecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Do An, Anatoliy Lapchuk, Victor Yurlov
  • Patent number: 7397988
    Abstract: A grating based demultiplexer module is described. The module includes an integrally formed first section, second section, and third section. The first section includes a diffraction grating formed on the surface of the first section and directs a WDM beam onto the internal surface of the diffraction grating. The third section is positioned to receive angularly separated light from the external surface of the diffraction grating. In some embodiments, the third section can direct individualy beams of the angularly separated light onto the surface of optical detectors. The third section provides structural support and maintains the alignment between the first section and the third section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Opnext, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Vanniasinkam, Jon Meyer, Christopher Viray, Bor-Long Twu
  • Patent number: 7379640
    Abstract: A tunable dispersion compensator in which a heater portion can be easily constructed to reduce cost. A tunable dispersion compensator includes: an optical fiber having a grating portion; a heating unit for heating the grating portion to apply a temperature distribution to the grating portion; and a control unit for controlling the temperature distribution applied by the heating unit to control the group delay time characteristic of the grating portion. The heating unit includes: a heater including a single conductor having electrical resistors and which extends in a longitudinal direction of the grating portion over at least the entire length of the grating portion; and wirings electrically connected with the heater in respective positions along the longitudinal direction. The control unit supplies a voltage to each of the wirings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumoto, Yasuhisa Shimakura, Kiichi Yoshiara, Masakazu Takabayashi
  • Publication number: 20080085079
    Abstract: A method of filtering optical signals (300) utilizing an optical fiber (100A-100D). The method of filtering optical signals (300) includes the steps (304) selecting an optical fiber (100A-100D) coupled to a source of optical signals, (308) disposing a core (102) in the bore (103) of the optical fiber (100A-100D) formed of a core material (105), (308) selecting a core material (105) to provide a waveguide within the optical fiber (100A-100D), (310) disposing an optical grating (114-1) in a first optical cladding layer (104) disposed about the core (102), (312) propagating an optical signal within the optical fiber (100A-100D) guided substantially within the core (102), (314) modifying a propagation path of selected wavelengths comprising said optical signal with the optical grating (114-1), and (316) determining selected wavelengths for which the propagation path is modified by selectively varying an energetic stimulus to the core (102) thereby tuning the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy E. Dimmick, Kevin H. Smith, Douglas J. Markos
  • Publication number: 20080085087
    Abstract: An optical fiber (100A-100D) is provided with a cylindrical core (102) and a first optical cladding layer (104). The core (102) is formed of a core material (105) that is optically transmissive. The core material (105) has a core index of refraction that is continuously variable over a predetermined range of values responsive to a first energetic stimulus, such as thermal energy, photonic energy, magnetic field, and an electrical potential. The core (102) includes a bore (103) axially disposed within the first optical cladding layer (104). The bore (103) is filled with the core material (105). The first optical cladding layer (104) is disposed on the core (102). The first optical cladding layer (104) is formed of a photosensitive material. The photosensitive material has a first cladding layer index of refraction that is permanently selectively configurable responsive to an exposure to a second energetic stimulus. The first optical cladding layer (104) has gratings (114-1, 114-2) inscribed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy E. Dimmick, Kevin H. Smith, Douglas J. Markos
  • Patent number: 7349597
    Abstract: A grating based demultiplexer module is described. The module includes an integrally formed first section, second section, and third section. The first section includes a diffraction grating formed on the surface of the first section and directs a WDM beam onto the internal surface of the diffraction grating. The third section is positioned to receive angularly separated light from the external surface of the diffraction grating. In some embodiments,the third section can direct individualy beams of the angularly separated light onto the surface of optical detectors. The third section provides structural support and maintains the alignment between the first section and the third section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Opnext, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Vanniasinkam, Jon Meyer, Christopher Viray, Bor-Long Twu
  • Patent number: 7336854
    Abstract: An optical switch, an optical modulator, and a wavelength variable filter each have a simple configuration, which requires only a low driving voltage, which is independent of polarization, and which can operate at high speed. An optical switch includes a 3-dB coupler placed on an output, a 3-dB coupler placed on an output, and two optical waveguides connecting the input-side 3-dB coupler and the output-side 3-dB coupler together. The optical switch also includes a phase modulating section that applies electric fields to one or both of the two optical waveguides. At least two optical waveguides are a crystal material including KTaxNb1-xO3 (0<x<1) and KxLi1-xTayNb1-yO3 (0<x<1, 0<y<1), or KTaxNb1-xO3 or KxLi1-xTayNb1-yO3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Toyoda, Kazuo Fujiura, Masahiro Sasaura, Koji Enbutsu, Makoto Shimokozono, Tadayuki Imai, Akiyuki Tate, Touru Matsuura, Takashi Kurihara, Hiroshi Fushimi
  • Patent number: RE41204
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electro-optically active waveguide segments, and more particularly to the use of a selective voltage input to control the phase, frequency and/or amplitude of a propagating wave in the waveguide. Particular device structures and methods of manufacturing are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventors: Ravinder Jain, Balaji Srinivasan
  • Patent number: RE41613
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electro-optically active waveguide segments, and more particularly to the use of a selective voltage input to control the phase, frequency and/or amplitude of a propagating wave in the waveguide. Particular device structures and methods of manufacturing are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Ravinder Jain, Balaji Srinivasan