Multiple Pole Multiple Throw Patents (Class 385/20)
  • Patent number: 7639910
    Abstract: An optical module is configured with a combination of a single-mode oscillating light source and an optical filter. In this optical module, the single-mode oscillating light source outputs a single-mode, frequency-modulated signal. Further, the optical filter converts the frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation. And, the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter are packaged without active alignment on the same substrate. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an optical module in a simple and low-cost configuration by packaging the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter by passive alignment, without active alignment, on the same substrate, and by using a simple optical filter such as a waveguide ring resonator, which converts a frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamazaki, Takaaki Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 7639900
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a photonic band-gap assembly comprising at least one input wave guide and at least one output wave guides, and at least one routing element responsive to signals to selectively route a signal from the input wave guide to one or more of the output wave guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventors: Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 7626754
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for steering a beam of light using an array of tunable optical phase delay elements is presented. The sidelobes of an angular spectrum of light reflected from the array are causing an optical crosstalk. The selected sidelobes are suppressed by perturbing the phase delay pattern of the array elements. The pattern of perturbations is found by linearizing a system of equations describing dependence of the angular spectrum of the reflected light on the phase delays introduced into the wavefront of light by the elements of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Reimer
  • Publication number: 20090257709
    Abstract: An optical switch comprises a plurality of input ports and a plurality of out port ports; a plurality of displaceable optical elements for directing beams from a selected input to a selected output; wherein the number of displaceable elements substantially corresponds to either the number of input ports or the number of output ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Polatis Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew Nicholas Dames
  • Patent number: 7590312
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an interferometer optical switch that can carry out switching over a broad band and has a high extinction ratio and large fabrication tolerance. The interferometer optical switch employs a phase generating coupler, the phase difference of the output of which has wavelength dependence, as at least one of the optical multi/demultiplexing device included in the interferometer optical switch. A wavelength insensitive interferometer optical switch is implemented by making the sum 2?{?1(?)+??L(?)+?2(?)} constant regardless of the wavelength, where ?1(?) is the phase produced by the first optical multi/demultiplexing device, 2???L(?) is the phase difference of the optical delay line with an optical path length difference of ?L, and 2??2(?) is the phase produced by the second optical multi/demultiplexing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Mizuno, Hiroshi Takahashi, Tsutomu Kitoh, Manabu Oguma, Shunichi Souma
  • Patent number: 7561766
    Abstract: A thin film interleaver device is disclosed. The thin film interleaver includes thin film optics. The thin film(s) are formed such that they reflect one group of wavelengths while allowing a second group of wavelengths to pass through the thin film(s). The thin film(s) exhibit a flat top frequency response across the channel bandwidths of the multiplexed signal for which the thin film filter is designed such that the thin film interleaver is less sensitive to wavelength drift and temperature variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Johhny Zhong, Yin Zhang, Steve Wang, Ping Xie, Kevin Zhang
  • Patent number: 7529454
    Abstract: A photonic crystal may be configured to support a surface state for logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold
  • Patent number: 7483602
    Abstract: An optical switch device includes a first array (20) of reflectors (22), each associated with a separate optical fiber input (12), and a second array (30) of reflectors (32), each associated with a separate fiber output (14). The reflectors (22 and 32) are positionable to direct an optical signal from any one of the fiber inputs (12) to any one of the fiber outputs (14). The optical signal is directed along an optical pathway between the desired fiber output (14) and its associated reflector that is substantially aligned with an axis extending centrally from the fiber output. Preferably, symmetrical fiber beam forming units for forming the optical signal into a focused beam are included between the fiber inputs (12) and the first array as well as between the second array (20) and the fiber outputs (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: AFN, LLC
    Inventors: Herzel Laor, Leo A. Plouffe, David A. Krozier
  • Patent number: 7477813
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-beam light source including a light guide array by which the yield can be improved. An array pitch P2 of entrance surfaces of light guide pattern is 1/N as wide as an array pitch P1 of exit surfaces of optical fiber arrays. The number of the light guide patterns is N or more times as large as the number of optical fibers. The exit surfaces of a plurality of the optical fibers are coupled with the entrance surfaces of a plurality of the light guide patterns opposed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Monma, Takeshi Mochizuki, Keiji Kataoka
  • Publication number: 20080273834
    Abstract: A packaged stack of optical devices includes two or more WDM optical devices, the stack having a reduced per-channel manufacturing cost and an improved mean time between failure relative to individual optical devices. WDM optical devices, which may be contained in a packaged stack, include wavelength selective switches, optical add-drop multiplexers, and dynamic gain equalizers. The optical switching devices in the stack may be configured so that one or more optical elements are shared by multiple switching devices. Optical components that may be shared between the switching devices contained in the stack include cylindrical lenses, diffraction gratings, mirrors, and beam steering units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Giovanni Barbarossa
  • Patent number: 7437029
    Abstract: A monolithic photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip where the active waveguide cores of the modulated sources of the PIC are multiple quantum wells (MQWs) and the passive waveguide cores of an optical combiner are a bulk layer or material. The cores of the waveguide cores may be a quaternary such as InGaAsP or InAlGaAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Joyner, Fred A. Kish, Jr., Frank H. Peters, Atul Mathur, David F. Welch, Andrew G. Dentai, Damien Lambert, Richard P. Schneider, Mark J. Missey
  • Patent number: 7428362
    Abstract: A photonic crystal may be configured to support a surface state for logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold
  • Patent number: 7412124
    Abstract: Techniques for designing optical devices with high reflection isolation are disclosed. According to one aspect of the devices, a pair of conjugate optical filters is used. To preserve the performance of the filters and minimize insertion loss, a lens has a first side and a second side, the first side being preferably perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens, and the second side being nearly perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens. Thus one of the conjugate optical filters is deposed towards the first side of the lens and the other one of the conjugate optical filters is deposed towards the second side of the lens. When a reflected light from one filter, presumably carrying residuals of a transmitted signal, hits another filter, the residuals are blocked, resulting in great isolation for the R-channel from the T-channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Chun He
  • Patent number: 7403678
    Abstract: An optical switching element comprising: a multimode waveguide having an electro-optical effect; one or a plurality of first single mode waveguides; a plurality of second single mode waveguides; a first electrode arranged in the vicinity of one edge on one side of the multimode waveguide; a second electrode arranged in the vicinity of the other edge on the same side of the multimode waveguide; and a third electrode arranged on the other side of the multimode waveguide, over the first electrode and the second electrode being arranged so as to be positioned on bright spots formed by multimode interference in an optical mode field generated by the light propagating through the multimode waveguide, and an optical path being switched between the first single mode waveguide and the second single mode waveguide by applying voltage between the first electrode and the third electrode and between the second electrode and the third electrode, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Roshan Thapliya, Shigetoshi Nakamura, Takashi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7403690
    Abstract: A photonic crystal may be configured to support a surface state for logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold
  • Patent number: 7373049
    Abstract: An optical deflection matrix including at least two optical deflection modules each for providing, from an incoming beam having a given direction of propagation, an output beam having a direction of propagation taken in a set of potential directions. The modules each include a single deflection element of the incoming beam capable of assuming plural potential positions in relation to the potential directions of the set and two fixed return elements, on either side of the deflection element, a main potential position of the deflection element leading to a principal direction of the set, this principal direction being colinear with the given direction of propagation of the incoming beam, the principal directions of the deflection modules being located in the same plane. The matrix may find particular application to routing of beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Christophe Martinez, Serge Valette
  • Patent number: 7362929
    Abstract: An optical switch changes over transmission paths of an optical signal by a refractive index change. The optical switch has an optical waveguide layer having an optical waveguide whose output path of an optical signal branches into two, and reflection diffusing ditches which are provided in a portion outside the optical waveguide in the optical waveguide layer, wherein the portion is closed to a branch portion of the optical waveguides. The reflection diffusing ditches extend in a direction crossing a traveling direction of the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Iio, Masayuki Suehiro, Shinichi Nakajima, Yoshiyuki Asano, Chie Sato, Morio Wada, Akira Miura, Tsuyoshi Yakihara, Shinji Kobayashi, Sadaharu Oka, Mamoru Hihara, Katsuya Ikezawa
  • Patent number: 7356222
    Abstract: The invention provides a wavelength selective optical device in which a light emitted from an end surface of a first optical fiber that propagates optical signals with a plurality of multiplexed wavelengths is incident on a first end surface of a first graded index rod lens, then a parallel light beam emitted from a second end surface of the first graded index rod lens is incident on an optical filter arranged to face to the second end surface of the first graded index rod lens, and then a light reflected by the optical filter is incident again on the second end surface of the first graded index rod lens so as to couple to a second optical fiber arranged on a first end surface side of the first graded index rod lens, wherein a refractive index distribution constant of the first graded index rod lens is set such that a center wavelength of the light reflected by the optical filter is positioned within a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Hashizume, Haiguang Lu
  • Publication number: 20080056638
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a passive element including one or more first waveguides and one or more second waveguides. The apparatus also includes an active element integrated into the passive element. The active element includes one or more third waveguides that actively guide light from the first waveguides to the second waveguides. The third waveguides include polarization-independent electro-optical (EO) thin film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Alexei L. Glebov, Takeo Hamada
  • Patent number: 7315670
    Abstract: An optical switch includes a plurality of light inputting members, a plurality of light outputting members, an optical coupling member which couples light to the light inputting members and the light outputting members, an optical path changing member which changes an optical path from the light inputting members up to the light outputting members, an optical path shielding member which can take a first position which shields collectively all optical paths from the light inputting members up to the light outputting members and a second position which allows light to pass through the optical path, a first driving circuit which drives the optical path changing member, and a second driving circuit which drives the optical path shielding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei Kobayashi, Junichi Nakano, Kenzi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7310461
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for routing optical signals in which at least one demultiplexer receives and demultiplexes an incoming wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signal into n individual channels. At least two multiplexers are used for assembling respective multiplexed output signals and are connected by an array of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), each channel having correspondingly at least two SOAs connecting it respectively to each of the multiplexers. The SOAs are operated in a co-ordinated switching mode to route the corresponding channel selectively to at least one of the multiplexers, and may also contribute gain. A proportionate signal may be split off from each channel and taken to a photodetector to enable the gain of the associated SOAs to be adjusted to equalize or otherwise balance the signal levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Pascal Maigné
  • Patent number: 7260286
    Abstract: An optical fiber coupling, for example, an optical switch, for coupling a light source with a light-receiving end face of an optical waveguide comprises a lens for focusing a light beam emitted from the light source at a focal point on the light-receiving end face of the optical waveguide. An adaptive coupler positioned in the optical path is responsive to a beam steering control signal for steering and aligning the focal point relative to the light-receiving end face of the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Teledyne Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Dong-Feng Gu, Donald B. Taber, Bruce K. Winker
  • Patent number: 7245798
    Abstract: Apparatus for redirecting a plurality of optical beams emanating from a respective plurality of optical transmitters arranged in a pattern along a first dimension and a second dimension. The apparatus comprises a plurality of refractive regions. Each refractive region intercepts the optical beams emanating from an associated group of optical transmitters occupying a common position in the first dimension. In addition, each particular refractive region imparts to the intercepted optical beams an angular deflection in the first dimension, the angular deflection in the first dimension being a function of the common position in the first dimension occupied by the optical transmitters from which emanate the optical beams intercepted by the particular refractive region. Use of the refractive regions reduces the amount of available deflection area left unused when a parallel set of port cards is employed for switching optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: Alan Graves
  • Patent number: 7239770
    Abstract: An optical device enabling reducing device scale is constituted by M circulators (11a, 11b), (M being a natural number), a waveguide-type diffraction grating (12) including M first input/output waveguides (121a, 121b) formed at its one end and M×N second input/output waveguides (125a-1 to 125a-N and 125b-1 to 125b-N) formed at the other end, (N being a natural number), and paths from the M circulators being connected to the M first input/output waveguides; and N reflection-type optical switches (13-1 to 13-N) each for reflecting the optical paths for M adjacent waveguides out of the M×N second input/output waveguides (125a-1 to 125a-N and 125b-1 to 125b-N) and for switching over the returning-destination waveguide respectively, wherein the M circulators, the waveguide-type diffraction grating and N reflection-type optical switches are arranged in cascade. Consequently, the optical device can function preferably also as a wavelength selective optical switch available in a WDM transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Koji Terada, Haruhiko Tabuchi, Kohei Shibata, Terukazu Naruse
  • Patent number: 7228025
    Abstract: A thin film interleaver device is disclosed. The thin film interleaver includes thin film optics. The thin film(s) are formed such that they reflect one group of wavelengths while allowing a second group of wavelengths to pass through the thin film(s). The thin film(s) exhibit a flat top frequency response across the channel bandwidths of the multiplexed signal for which the thin film filter is designed such that the thin film interleaver is less sensitive to wavelength drift and temperature variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny Zhong, Yin Zhang, Steve Wang, Ping Xie, Kevin Zhang
  • Patent number: 7218815
    Abstract: An athermal arrayed-waveguide grating is disclosed and includes an input waveguide for inputting two or more optical signals from one exterior side, a grating array for separating the optical signals into different wavelengths of light, a first slab, formed with two layers and having different refractive indices from each other, for connecting the input waveguide with the grating array, a second slab for causing the different light wavelengths separated at the grating array to be imaged on an egress surface thereof, and an output waveguide array for outputting each light wavelength imaged on the egress surface of the second slab to the other exterior side in the form of a separated channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Hwan Song, Kyong-Shik Lee, Oh-Dal Kwon, Sun-Tae Jung, Myong-Won Kim, Joon-Yong Cho, In-Jae Lee, Bang-Weon Lee, Seung-Wan Lee
  • Patent number: 7215853
    Abstract: A collimator 111 for an input light, a collimator 112 for an output light, a collimator 113 for a branched light, a collimator 114 for an inserted light and a wavelength selecting filter 115 are provided on a common substrate 130, and mirrors 121 to 124 for correcting an optical path or prisms XXXX to XXXX capable of producing the same advantages are provided on the optical paths between the collimators 111 to 114 and the wavelength selecting filter 115 respectively. By adjusting the mirrors or prisms, the shift of the optical axis between the collimators is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Morita, Tetsuo Takano, Yoshiatsu Yokoo
  • Patent number: 7167609
    Abstract: An optical switch has an input port, output ports, optical waveguides whose output path of an optical signal branch into two. A first stage optical switch section is provided in a branching portion of the optical waveguide, which switches a propagating path of an optical signal to a path leading to the desired output port. A subsequent stage optical switch section is provided in a branching portion of the optical waveguide subsequent to the first stage optical switch section, which switches a propagating path of a leakage light, which is leaked from the first stage optical switch section, to a path which does not propagates the leakage light to any of the output ports. The first stage optical switch section and the subsequent stage optical switch section switch a path of an optical signal according to a refractive index change caused by a carrier injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Suehiro, Shinji Iio, Shinichi Nakajima, Yoshiyuki Asano, Morio Wada, Akira Miura, Katsuya Ikezawa
  • Patent number: 7164817
    Abstract: As a wavelength selection filter, a filter in which dielectric multilayered films are formed on a substrate, an optical fiber grating in which diffraction grating is formed in an optical fiber, and so on, can be used. As another optical demultiplexer 33, as described in Japanese Patent No. 2599876, an arrayed optical waveguide diffraction grating which forms plural optical waveguides having different length of optical paths on the substrate to demultiplex the multiple wavelength light to the respective wavelengths can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Kagami, Hidekuni Asai, Yoshiatsu Yokoo
  • Patent number: 7162115
    Abstract: An multiport, multi-wavelength optical switch having and array of angular beam-directing devices employs an anamorphic optical system that transforms a beam corresponding to a given wavelength of a given multi-wavelength input channel into a beam, at a plane of the angular beam-directing device array, having an elliptical Gaussian-beam waist in the angular-directing direction of the beam-directing device and in the orthogonal direction, with the waist in the angular-direction being larger than the waist in the orthogonal direction. Planar and non-planar emitter/receivers for use with the switch are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher P Brophy, Dale Buralli, Steve Chakmakjian, Eliseo R Ranalli
  • Patent number: 7113662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method using a node, a system comprising a node and a node for filtering signals in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical communications system, especially for re-configurably adding and dropping signals to and from an optical fibre path. The node comprising a drop filter, an add filter, a signal channel receiver, and a signal channel transmitter each being connected to a switch for signal channel relaying between said network, and signal channel dropping and adding from and to said network. The node provides low loss for relayed signals by allowing the drop filter to have a low crosstalk isolation, and provides high crosstalk isolation for dropped signal channels by connecting said receiver to the switch through an additional filter with high filtering characteristics for at least one predetermined signal channel of said signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Lumentis AB
    Inventor: Ulf Persson
  • Patent number: 7106921
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical waveguide interconnection board, including: optical input and output ports; at least one optical waveguide corresponding to an optical circuit pattern; and at least one light direction-changing element each of which is disposed between one of the optical input port and the optical output port and one of the at least one optical waveguide or, when the optical waveguide interconnection board has two or more optical waveguides, between two of the optical waveguides, and which comprises at least one of at least one light direction-changing element A that changes the direction of light in a plane parallel to a plane of the optical waveguide interconnection board and at least one light direction-changing element B that changes the direction of light to a direction having an angle with respect to a plane parallel to the plane of the optical waveguide interconnection board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Iwamori, Takayuki Takeuchi, Toshihisa Hamano
  • Patent number: 7103244
    Abstract: A DWDM add/drop system for use in optical communication system is disclosed. Using semiconductor fabrication techniques, a plurality of waveguide arrays and signal carriers are substantially symmetrically arranged about an optical axis of the system. Electrode heaters are provided proximate junctions created at the intersections of selected waveguides. Using the heaters, portions of optical signals may be redirected to other waveguides. In addition, the heaters may be used to attenuate or otherwise modify signals in the waveguides. The waveguide arrays are arranged such that a plurality of signal processing operations may be performed substantially simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, the switches and waveguide arrays are coupled with a light focusing device and a dispersion apparatus to form a switched, combined multiplexer/demultiplexer having signal attenuation and modification capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Ray T. Chen, William W. Morey
  • Patent number: 7099528
    Abstract: Diffractive optical elements are used in methods and devices for coupling or distributing electromagnetic radiation. The diffractive optical. elements may be adapted to split one or more streams of radiation into multiple streams of radiation or to combine multiple streams of radiation to produce single streams. A plurality of diffractive optical elements may be fabricated on substrates by lithographic or molding methods. Diffractive optical elements that split one or more streams of radiation can be combined with diffractive optical elements that combine multiple streams of radiation to provide a coupling device, for example, a star coupler. The star coupler may be used in networked optical communication systems to provide multiple coupling between a plurality of optical drivers and a plurality of optical receivers. Aspects can be applied to any type of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength that can be used as a medium for transferring information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Oluwafemi O. Ogunsola
  • Patent number: 7085445
    Abstract: As the traffic volume carried by telecommunication networks has been rapidly increased as a result of the bandwidth-intensive applications such as Internet access, electronic commerce, multimedia applications, and distributed computing, it is imperative to utilize the optical network for backbone, metropolitan, and local area networks. The optical networks employing optical fibers as the transmission medium have exhibited a superior performance/cost ratio for both long-haul and short-haul routes and the emerging dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM)/all-optical networks have shown a promising potential to improve speed, capacity and connectivity of optical telecommunication networks. The present invention provides Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Waveguide Switch (MOEM-WS) by integrating MEMS actuators and micromachined PLCs on the same substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventors: Seungug Koh, Danjin Wu
  • Patent number: 7082233
    Abstract: An optical switch includes a film consisting of a polymer, a keep plate having a switching through hole and a driver. The film has a core linearly extending therein and a notch extending across a switching portion located halfway in the core. The keep plate holds the film to expose the switching portion at the through hole. The driver is employed for narrowing and separating a gap of the notch, thereby selecting a route of light. The notch is formed by precedently forming a starting groove on the surface of the film and pressing the switching portion with a pressing member from the backside of the starting groove while holding the film with the keep plate thereby causing cleavage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Saito, Seiichiro Tabata, Tatsuo Hatta
  • Patent number: 7072537
    Abstract: An optical switch of the present invention is for deflecting a light given to an input channel waveguide by first and second optical deflecting sections arranged respectively on the former and latter stages of a slab type optical waveguide section, so that a deflection angle by the first optical deflecting section is symmetrical to that by the second optical deflecting section, to guide the light to a desired output channel waveguide. The first and second optical deflecting sections each includes a half-wave plate between input side upper electrode portions and output side upper electrode portions each of which is formed with prism type electrodes, and the slab type optical waveguide also includes a half-wave plate on the center thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7054519
    Abstract: Described are various optical, opto-electrical and electrical components and subsystems. Some embodiments include input and output waveguides supporting opposing facets separated by a gap. The degree to which the opposing facets are aligned with respect to one another controls the light intensity in the output waveguide. An active closed-loop control mechanism dynamically controls the extent of waveguide alignment to maintain a desired output intensity. In other embodiments, the path between opposing facets can be selectively blocked by a micro blade. Still other embodiments combine switching with optical power equalization for ease of integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Active Optical Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Vlad Novotny
  • Patent number: 7046417
    Abstract: A variable optical attenuator including: a birefringent element positioned to separate an input optical signal into two spatially separated, orthogonally polarized beams; a LC modulator positioned to receive the orthogonally polarized beams and selectively alter their polarizations; a reflective element positioned to reflect the beams back through the LC modulator and the birefringent element, wherein the birefringent element recombines orthogonally polarized components of the reflected beams to produce an output optical signal; and a controller coupled to the LC modulator to selectively cause the LC modulator to alter the polarizations of the orthogonally polarized beams, wherein during operation the controller is responsive to a request to variably attenuate the intensity of the output optical signal relative to the intensity of the input optical signal to one of multiple non-zero attenuation settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Cambridge Research and Instrumentation, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford C. Hoyt, Peter J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7039266
    Abstract: A device and method for collecting subject responses, particularly during magnetic imaging experiments and testing using a method such as functional MRI. The device comprises a non-metallic input device which is coupled via fiber optic cables to a computer or other data collection device. One or more optical switches transmit the subject's responses. The input device keeps the subject's fingers comfortably aligned with the switches by partially immobilizing the forearm, wrist, and/or hand of the subject. Also a robust nonmetallic switch, particularly for use with the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Mind Institute
    Inventor: Michael Doty
  • Patent number: 7035498
    Abstract: An all-optical switching array for switching a direction of optical signals is presented. The all-optical switching array includes a first substrate. Furthermore, the all-optical switching array includes a plurality of optical switches disposed on the first substrate, wherein each of the plurality of optical switches comprises a first state and a second state and is configured to change the direction of an optical signal, depending on whether the optical switch is in the first state or the second state. The transition of the switch between the first state and the second state is triggered by an ultra-fast laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pingfan Peter Wu, George Theodore Dalakos, Peter William Lorraine, Brian Lee Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7035500
    Abstract: The present invention relates to device for space selective switching of an optical signal from an input access waveguide to a first selected output access waveguide. Said device comprising a multi-mode interference (MMI) waveguide having at a first side a number, N, of accesses for connection of access waveguides. Said MMI waveguide having a length, in light propagating direction, so that an image at the i:th, i?N access waveguide propagating into said MMI waveguide will produce N self-images at a second side opposite to said first side, where N is an integer than 1. Said device further comprises reflective means located in said MMI waveguide close to said second side, arranged to reflect said N self-images towards said first side of said MMI waveguide, and means, arranged at said second side, for adjusting the phase of each of said self-images to create a single self-image at said selected output access waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Torsten Augustsson
  • Patent number: 7031565
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photonic switch that includes a plurality of optical-path switching means having movable light reflecting portions that guide light from each of a plurality of input ports to any output port among a plurality of output ports. Each of the optical-path switching means is made to produce a specific loss so as to reduce path-to-path variations in loss along the paths from the input to the output ports. Specifically, loss along a path is the total of loss based upon optical path length and loss produced by the optical-path switching means. A specific loss is produced by each of the optical-path switching means in such a manner that total loss is equalized from path to path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tamotsu Akashi, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7027670
    Abstract: Cascaded optical deflectors are formed from light deflecting elements of an electro-optical material that are individually controlled according to applied voltage differences across the elements. The shape of the elements are determined by the shape of the electrodes on either side of the electro-optical material, while the refractive index is controlled by the sign and magnitude of a voltage difference applied across the elements. In particular, the invention includes light deflection elements that are tilted with respect to one another and that are individually controlled to provide for the deflection of light in an improved manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shigenori Aoki
  • Patent number: 7020168
    Abstract: A high power multi-frequency laser includes a laser cavity defined by reflective elements, a frequency routing device in the cavity comprising a plurality of frequency selective pathways, a first set of optical amplifiers optically coupled to a first end of the frequency routing device, and a second set of optical amplifiers optically coupling a second end of the frequency routing device and a first one of the reflective elements. The high power multi-frequency laser further includes a power combiner. The power combiner is optically coupled to the first set of optical amplifiers and a second one of the reflective elements and combines the outputs of the first set of optical amplifiers such that a common output for the multi-frequency laser is provided. The common output of the present invention provides a single output from the multi-frequency laser having a high output coupling efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Pietro Arturo Giovanni Bernasconi, Barry Irwin Miller, Nicholas J. Sauer, Lawrence Warren Stulz, Dries Van Thourhout, Weiguo Yang, Liming Zhang
  • Patent number: 7013057
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element switching mechanism that overcomes many of the disadvantages found in the prior art. The switching mechanism uses a balanced arm, with an optical element attached at one end of the arm. The arm is suspended on a axis that allows it to rotate from a first position to a second position. The arm is balanced to provide low force disturbance during this movement. A spring is coupled to the arm that provides the rotational energy to move the arm. The spring is coupled such that its neutral position is between the first and second positions, and thus the spring provides the energy to move the arm from the first position to the second position and vice versa. A latch mechanism is also provided for selectively holding the arm in the first position or second position. Additionally, the latch mechanism can provide additional energy needed to catch and move the arm into final position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Osterberg
  • Patent number: 7003188
    Abstract: An optical switching system that switches the path of an optical signal by moving a microstructure onto which a light-guiding structure is mounted. The microstructure is formed by a MEMs and semiconductor process to be integral to the substrate. The light-guiding structure may include waveguides. The microstructure moves from one position to another position (e.g., laterally, vertically, rotationally) such that incoming optical signals align over a small air gap to different optical paths, depending on the position of the movable microstructure. As a result, the optical signal propagate along different optical paths (e.g., straight pass through or cross over) depending on the position of the movable microstructure. The optical paths have a large radii of curvature so as to change the direction of the optical signal gradually, thereby reducing insertion losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: Ying Wen Hsu, Arthur R. Telkamp
  • Patent number: 6990276
    Abstract: A planar optical waveguide has sets of diffractive elements, each routing between input and output optical ports diffracted portions of an input optical signal. The diffractive elements are arranged so that the impulse response function of the diffractive element set comprises a reference temporal waveform or its time-reverse. A planar optical waveguide has N×M sets of diffractive elements, each routing between corresponding input and output optical ports corresponding diffracted portions of an input optical signal. The N×M diffractive element sets, N×M input optical ports, and N 1×M optical switches enable routing of an input optical signal any of the N input optical sources to any of the M output optical ports based on the operational state of the corresponding 1×M optical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: LightSmyth Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Brice, Christoph M. Greiner, Thomas W. Mossberg, Dmitri Iazikov
  • Patent number: 6990267
    Abstract: A moving fiber optical switch of the type having two opposed supports carrying optical fibers with a gap between the fiber ends, with at least one of the supports being flexibly mounted for pivotal movement relative to the other support, and in which: (1) an actuator means, which provides pivotal movement of one or both supports between two orientations corresponding to first and second relative positions of the fiber supports, is connected to a connecting member or housing by means of a flexure; (2) the switch has means for adjusting the length of the gap between the fiber ends; and (3) the switch has means for adjusting the alignment of the optical fiber ends in a direction perpendicular to the movement provided by the pivotal movement of the flexibly mounted support or supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Luminos Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Murray R. Harman, Stephen G. Harman
  • Patent number: 6983087
    Abstract: The present invention is an efficient system and method for cascading optical switches in architectures that enable three dimensional multi-plane optical signal beam steering to be performed with two dimensional steering devices. A plurality of cascaded optical switches form a cascaded multi-plane optical switch fabric and direct an optical signal beam from one of the plurality of optical switches to another of the plurality of optical switches in a different plane. In addition, a multi-plane directional device directs an optical signal beam from a first optical switch stage to a second optical switch stage oriented in a different plane. Furthermore, a fixed incidence corrective device directs an optical signal beam in a shallow angle to an optical switch located in a relatively close proximity on the optical switch fabric and a optical signal beam spread correction device provides for refocusing of spreading optical signal beams and mitigation of signal loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Dinesh Maheshwari