Electrodes On Or Near The Coupling Region Patents (Class 385/40)
  • Patent number: 7283690
    Abstract: An optical wave guide device is manufactured by bonding an optical wave guide to an optical modulator through an upper cladding layer. The optical wave guide includes a glass substrate, a lower cladding layer and cores, and the optical modulator includes elements (heaters), which are disposed on the lower surface of a glass substrate, for modulating the light propagating in the cores, and electrodes and wire bond pads which are disposed on the front surface thereof. The elements are connected to the electrodes via through-holes. With this arrangement, there can be provided an optical waveguide device, in which cores are not degraded in manufacturing processes and elements for modulating the light propagating in the cores are unlikely to be exfoliated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Komura, Kazuyuki Hayamizu, Yukari Terakawa, Hayami Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20070217733
    Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder type semiconductor device comprises electrodes for injecting carriers into first and second branch waveguides so as to change reflection indexes of the first and second branch waveguides. The device further includes electrodes which are placed above either one of the first or second branch waveguides or both of the first or second branch waveguides so as to remove the carriers. The Mach-Zehnder type semiconductor device can adjust a phase difference between first and second split lights transmitting through first and second branch waveguides, respectively, even if the lengths of the first and second branch waveguides are deviated from those designed values. The Mach-Zehnder type semiconductor device also can suppress optical loss of the first and second lights and generate an outgoing light without deterioration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventor: Hiroshi Wada
  • Patent number: 7272273
    Abstract: An improved electro-optical system has a planar waveguide coupled to a photodetector through a transparent substrate. The planar waveguide is within a planar optical structure that can be part of optical communication network. The photodetector is positioned to receive light that passes from the waveguide through the transparent substrate. The photodetector can be electrically coupled to electrical circuitry along the transparent substrate for connection to a electrical apparatus. Corresponding methods for forming the electro-optical structure are described. These improved electro-optical systems can be used for terminating an optical transmission system at an end user or a local network associated with a group of end users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: NeoPhotonics Corporation
    Inventors: Ming Yan, Ping Peter Xie, Anthony J. Ticknor
  • Patent number: 7272270
    Abstract: Laser light emitted from a vertically confined surface emitting laser (VCSEL) is incident on a side surface near an end region of an optical waveguide. The end region of the optical waveguide is processed by polishing to taper at an angle of 45 degrees, and an optical modulator is formed on the polished surface. The optical modulator is a Fabry-Perot modulator using a linear electro-optical effect. The modulator has a thick transparent electro-optical layer which is deposited by using an aerosol deposition method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Nakada, Keishi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7266269
    Abstract: A power harvesting module comprises at least one electromagnetic (EM) radiation intensity modulator configured to receive a first EM radiation from at least one source and at least one energy converter configured to at least partially convert the energy of the first EM radiation during modulation into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Glen Peter Koste, Min-Yi Shih, Todd Ryan Tolliver
  • Publication number: 20070201784
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-optic directional coupler suitable for use as a variable optical attenuator at reduced voltages compared to those known in the prior art. The present invention has found that by careful selection of an asymmetric directional coupler geometry, the transfer function of the device can be shifted so that it has an operating point between maximum and minimum transmission. Signal electrodes driven in push pull configuration advantageously use this operating point to achieve significant reduction in operating voltages for switching to maximum or minimum transmission. Asymmetry is created in the directional coupler by forming the waveguides to have different propagation constants by a difference in waveguide width, depth, index of refraction or index profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Kissa, David Glassner
  • Patent number: 7263256
    Abstract: An optical module is disclosed. The optical module includes a substrate, and at least one planar optical waveguide that includes a plurality of waveguides and at least one groove vertically penetrating the upper surface of the substrate and which is successively laminated on the substrate. The optical module also includes at least one PCB having at least one integrated photoelectric conversion device that is positioned on the planar optical waveguide facing a corresponding groove, and at least one optical connection block including a body and optical fibers embedded in the body in such a manner that both ends thereof are exposed to the lateral and upper surfaces of the body. The optical connection block is inserted into the corresponding groove of the planar optical waveguide in such a manner that both ends of the optical fibers, which have been exposed, face the waveguides and the PCBs, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Su Kim, Hyo-Hun Park, Byung-Sup Rho, Han-Seo Cho, Sun-Tae Jung
  • Patent number: 7263251
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical switch having a photonic crystal structure. An optical switch of the invention has a slab optical waveguide structure whose core (35) has a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure where two or more media (33, 34) with different refractive indices are alternately and regularly arranged in a two-dimensional manner. The photonic crystal structure comprises: a line-defect waveguide; and means for altering the refractive index of the line-defect waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Shirane, Masatoshi Tokushima
  • Patent number: 7251392
    Abstract: A switchable element is described, which comprises a fluid chamber (111) containing a polar (101) and a non-polar (102) liquid, which are immiscible. The element is further provided with two electrodes (103,104), which are arranged to control the spatial distribution of the liquids, by means of an applied voltage across two the two electrodes. By the addition of surfactant to one or both of the liquids, the actuation voltage of the element is lowered. The element can work for example as an optical device or a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Christina Adriana Renders, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Robert Andrew Hayes
  • Patent number: 7251408
    Abstract: High speed optical modulators can be made of a lateral PN diode formed in a silicon optical rib waveguide, disposed on a SOI or other silicon based substrate. A PN junction is formed at the boundary of the P and N doped regions. The depletion region at the PN junction overlaps with the center of a guided optical mode propagating through the waveguide. Electrically modulating a lateral PN diode causes a phase shift in an optical wave propagating through the waveguide. Each of the doped regions can have a stepped or gradient doping profile within it or several doped sections with different doping concentrations. Forming the doped regions of a PN diode modulator with stepped or gradient doping profiles can optimize the trade off between the series resistance of the PN diode and the optical loss in the center of the waveguide due to the presence of dopants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Luxtera, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Gunn, III, Roger Koumans, Bing Li, Guo Liang Li, Thierry J. Pinguet
  • Patent number: 7245787
    Abstract: A method of appropriately adjusting a bias signal of an optical modulator is provided. For an optical modulator provided with a first sub Mach-Zehnder waveguide, a second sub Mach-Zehnder waveguide and a main Mach-Zehnder waveguide, a predetermined signal is supplied to the main Mach-Zehnder waveguide, and bias signals supplied to the first and second Mach-Zehnder waveguides are adjusted so as to lower an amplitude of an output light of the main Mach-Zehnder waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Incorporated Administrative Agency
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawanishi, Masayuki Izutsu
  • Patent number: 7242842
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an optical attenuator, a bonding medium layer of polymer is used to bond an actuator structure and a support structure. A silicon layer is provided with waveguides for transmitting optical signals from an optical signal transmission line and an activator is formed at a predetermined portion thereof. The waveguides are inserted into cavities of the bonding medium layer. A support layer is attached to the bonding medium layer at an opposite face to a face where the bonding medium layer is bonded with a silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Jun Lee, Jong Sam Kim, Ro Woon Lee
  • Patent number: 7239763
    Abstract: An optical SSB modulator capable of appropriately adjusting a phase difference of light in the MZ waveguides and automatically adjusting a voltage impressed to the bias adjustment electrodes is provided. The above-mentioned object is achieved by an optical SSB modulator (1) provided with a first sub Mach-Zehnder waveguide (MZA) (2), a second sub Mach-Zehnder waveguide (MZB) (3), a main Mach-Zehnder waveguide (MZC) (4), a first bias adjustment electrode (DCA electrode) (5), a second bias adjustment electrode (DCB electrode) (6), a first modulation electrode (RFA electrode) (7), a second modulation electrode (RFB electrode) (8) and a third bias adjustment electrode (DCC electrode) (9), wherein either one of or both of output portions (10, 11) of the MZA and the MZB have an X-branching form, and specifically having one of light paths of the X-branching connected to a photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignees: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Incorporated Administrative Agency, Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawanishi, Masayuki Izutsu, Kaoru Higuma, Shingo Mori
  • Patent number: 7239764
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical waveguide device wherein a driving voltage to be applied is reduced. The optical waveguide device comprises a substrate cut in a Z-axis direction and having an electro-optical effect, an interference type optical waveguide formed on the substrate for causing lights which propagate along a plurality of parallel optical waveguides to interfere with each other, and a lumped-constant type electrode for applying a voltage for the electro-optical effect to the light propagating along the optical waveguides which form the interference type optical waveguide. The lumped-constant type electrode complements potentials to be supplied to adjacent ones of the plurality of parallel optical waveguides to each other such that voltages having an equal absolute value but having the opposite signs are applied to the adjacent optical waveguides. The apparatus of the present invention is applied to, for example, an optical communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masaharu Doi, Tadao Nakazawa, Masaki Sugiyama, Masaaki Ohyama
  • Patent number: 7239765
    Abstract: An optical phase modulator comprising a plurality of polarizing waveguides having a layered stack including a core between at least one layer of cladding material, wherein the core is constructed of electro-optic material(s), wherein the layers of cladding materials having lower indices of refraction than the core for guided mode, wherein the layers of cladding materials having higher indices of refraction than the core for non-guided mode, at least one electrode coupled to at least one waveguide including a modulating polarizing region, at least one waveguide having a non-modulating region and a modulating region, a substrate dimensioned and configured to integrate a plurality of optical components, wherein the optical components include a plurality of polarizing waveguide(s), a waveguide having a non-modulating region and a modulating region, coupler/splitter(s), electrode(s), and a waveguide configuration including a first polarizing waveguide, a second polarizing waveguide and a third polarizing waveguide
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael D Bramson, Paul R. Ashley, Geoffrey A. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7236654
    Abstract: An optical phase modulator comprising a polarizing waveguide having two ends and having a layered stack including a core between at least one layer of cladding material, wherein the core is constructed of electro-optic material(s), wherein the waveguide includes a modulating region and a non-modulating region, wherein the layers of cladding materials having lower indices of refraction than the core for guided mode, wherein the layer of cladding material having higher indices of refraction than the core for non-guided mode, two ports coupled to each end of the waveguide, a light that propagates into the waveguide, a substrate dimensioned and configured to integrate a plurality of optical components, wherein the optical components include a waveguide and ports, and a waveguide configuration including the waveguide, wherein each end of waveguide is coupled to a port for one-way propagation of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael D Bramson, Paul R. Ashley
  • Patent number: 7236663
    Abstract: A display element is provided with a light source and a waveguide that propagates a light emitted from the light source, wherein the light propagated in the waveguide is extracted to outside from a waveguide lateral face, and wherein the light is extracted out of the waveguide from the waveguide lateral face by changing a shape of the waveguide lateral face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohide Wakita, Seiji Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7233725
    Abstract: A 1×N fanout waveguide detector is disclosed. The detector includes a multiple-mode interference (MMI) cavity with input and output ends. A single-mode waveguide is optically coupled to the input end of the MMI cavity so that the optical power in the guided mode is distributed over N modes. The MMI cavity forms N interference nodes at or near its output end. N waveguide detectors are optically coupled to the output end at or near the N interference nodes. The waveguide detectors each have a waveguide that is evanescently coupled to an intrinsic region of a PIN detector. The width of the detector waveguide core, which can be sub-micron, defines the carrier collection distance between the electrodes of the PIN detector. Further, the length of the detector waveguide can be selected to maximize optical absorption to provide optimum quantum efficiency. The waveguide detectors are connected in parallel to provide a high-output photocurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Jun F. Zheng
  • Patent number: 7233709
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an electro-absorption modulator including an optical waveguide and a microwave waveguide. The microwave waveguide is electromagnetically coupled to the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes a quantum well region and a substantially sinusoidal structure. The waveguide mode of the optical waveguide is responsive to the substantially sinusoidal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Ltd. Pte.
    Inventors: David Gines, Russell W. Gruhlke, Alfonso Amparan
  • Patent number: 7231101
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electro-optic waveguide device such as a modulator. The device has an electro-optic substrate having optical waveguides within the substrate at or near an upper surface. A buffer layer is formed on the top surface of the electro-optic substrate. A novel block layer is formed on the buffer layer surface, which can suppress or lessen an unwanted occurrence of chemical reactions at or near the surface of the buffer layer. A charge bleed off layer is formed on the block layer, which has a certain amount of electrical conductivity to bleed off any electrical charges generated on or in the electro-optic waveguide device. Electrodes are on the charge bleed off layer, which can provide electrical signals to the optical waveguides through the buffer layer, the block layer, and the charge bleed off layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotoshi Nagata
  • Patent number: 7228013
    Abstract: A polymer phase modulator having a plurality of polarizing waveguides having a layered stack including a core between at least one layer of cladding material, wherein the core is constructed of electro-optic material(s), wherein the layers of cladding materials having lower indices of refraction than the core for guided mode, wherein the layer of cladding material having higher indices of refraction than the core for non-guided mode, at least one waveguide having a non-modulating polarizing region, a substrate dimensioned and configured to integrate a plurality of optical components, wherein the optical components include a plurality of polarizing waveguide(s) and non-polarizing waveguide(s), a waveguide having a polarizing non-modulating region and a non-polarizing modulating region, coupler/splitter(s), electrode(s), and a waveguide configuration including a first polarizing waveguide, a coupler/splitter including a plurality of splitter ports, a second polarizing waveguide and a third polarizing waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael D Bramson, Paul R. Ashley
  • Patent number: 7228012
    Abstract: Application of a communication signal, RF (radio frequency) or microwave signal to a modified optical fiber for modulating or switching-off the optical signal propagating within the optical fiber. The passive cladding material of an ordinary optical fiber is removed from a small region and replaced with active multilayer materials including at least three layers of cladding surrounding the core. These layers are the inner metallic electrode coated on the surface of the optical fiber core, the electrooptic active material layer placed on the top of the inner electrode, and the outer metallic electrode coated on the top of the electrooptic material. A communication signal applied to the electrodes will result in optical modulation so that the modulated intensity and phase of the optical signal at the receiving end of the fiber can be detected, and demodulation of the signal can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Photonics On-Fiber Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Mahmoud A. El-Sherif
  • Patent number: 7228019
    Abstract: In the Mach-Zehnder interferometer type optical circuit in which a plurality of Mach-Zehnder interferometers have been provided, between the Mach-Zehnder interferometers a and b, there are provided a plurality of grooves 27(a–b)1, 27(a–b)2 and an endothermic wall 28(a–b). Since heat generated from the temperature control device 25a mounted on the waveguide arm of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer a is absorbed by the endothermic wall 28(a–b), an influence due to heat interference to be exerted on the Mach-Zehnder interferometer b is restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Morio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7224881
    Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating a light signal is disclosed. The apparatus causes optical attenuation in a waveguide, where the waveguide has an input port for receiving a light signal and an output port for output of an attenuated light signal. First, an electric field is generated in at least a portion of the waveguide, such that a first refractive index in that portion of the waveguide is changed to a second refractive index. Next, the light signal in the waveguide is directed from the input port to the output port through the electric field. And lastly, the light signal is attenuated as a function of the electric field. The light signal may be attenuated, for example, by changing the deflection angle, changing the beam collimation width or from emitting part of the light signal from the waveguide before the light signal reaches the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shigenori Aoki, Kishio Yokouchi
  • Patent number: 7224869
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator includes a substrate, at least two parallel optical waveguides, at least one ground plane, at least one active electrode with at least two lower portions of the active electrode, and an upper portion connected to the lower portions, the lower portions spaced apart from each other, each of the two lower portions of the active electrode extending over one of the optical waveguides. An electro-optic phase modulator having at least one optical waveguide and at least one active electrode formed on a face of the substrate, the active electrode having a wider upper portion and a narrower lower portion, the lower portions of the active electrode aligned with and extending over one of the optical waveguides. A bridge electrode has at least one narrower lower portion, and a wider upper portion, the lower portion for being arranged over an optical waveguide formed in a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James H. Cole, Robert P. Moeller, Marta M. Howerton
  • Patent number: 7221813
    Abstract: A signal acquisition probing system uses an optical cavity to acquire a signal under test. The probing system has an optical transmitter and receiver that are coupled to the optical cavity via an optical transmission system. The optical cavity has an electrode structure having apertures formed in the optical cavity that are parallel to propagation path of the optical signal within the cavity. A modulated optical signal is generated by the optical cavity in response to the signal under test creating an electro-magnetic field distribution in electro-optic material in the optical cavity that overlaps the optical path of the optical signal propagating in the optical cavity which varies the index of refraction of electro-optic material in the optical path. The signal acquisition probing system is connected to a measurement instrument to form a voltage measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Yakymyshyn, William Q. Law, William A. Hagerup, Timothy R. Piwonka-Corle
  • Patent number: 7221817
    Abstract: A substantially straight beam in an unbuckled state is compressed to cause the beam to buckle using an adjustable compressor. The adjustable compressor applies force to one or both ends of the beam and limits compression on the beam to allow the beam to move between a first buckled state and a second buckled state. The first buckled state and the second buckled state comprise substantially equal magnitude and opposite direction buckling movements from the unbuckled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Kristine A. German, Peter M. Gulvin, Joel A. Kubby
  • Patent number: 7220064
    Abstract: A coupling optical system for coupling light into an optical fiber of an optical communications system includes a liquid that includes a dispersion of microscopic particles and two transparent media that hold the liquid between them along an optical axis. The refractive power of the liquid is variable according to the electromagnetic field applied to the liquid to vary the migration of the microscopic particles of the dispersion within the liquid. The position of a light collecting point of the coupling optical system is adjustable based on the variation in the refractive power of the liquid so that light can be efficiently coupled into optical fibers at different distances along the optical axis from the coupling optical system. At the light collecting point, the end surface of an optical fiber collects light from a light source or another optical fiber. One or more collimator lenses may help converge the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Mori, Yu Kitahara, Makoto Oomura, Yoko Yamamoto, Toshiaki Katsuma
  • Patent number: 7218799
    Abstract: An optical modulator structure includes a block that includes electro-optical (EO) materials. A waveguide and electrode structure is formed on a substrate. The block is in close proximity to the waveguide and electrode structure so as to form optical modulation when electric fields in the block are varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Shrenik Deliwala
  • Patent number: 7218819
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an electrode system for optical modulation of an optical modulator to reduce a thickness “E” of an electrode required for velocity matching and for reducing a propagation loss in the electrode. A substrate 2 is made of an electrooptic material and has one and the other main faces 2a, 2b opposing each other. An electrode system 20A is provided on the substrate 2 for applying a voltage for modulating light propagating in optical waveguides 6A and 6B. The electrode system 20A includes ground electrodes 3A, 3B and a signal electrode 4. A ratio “W/G” of a width “W” of the signal electrode 4 to a gap “G” between the ground and signal electrodes is 0.8 or higher. Preferably, the substrate 2 has a thickness “T” of 20 ?m or larger, in a region where the optical waveguides 6A and 6B are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Aoki, Osamu Mitomi, Jungo Kondo, Atsuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 7215851
    Abstract: Methods of attenuating, delaying the phase, and otherwise controlling an optical signal propagating along a waveguide are provided. According to one method, a variable optical attenuator structure is provided comprising a waveguide core, a cladding, an electrooptic polymer, and a set of control electrodes. The core, the cladding, and the electrooptic polymer are configured such that an increase in the index of refraction of the polymer causes a substantial portion of an optical signal propagating along the waveguide core to couple into a relatively high index region of the electrooptic polymer above the waveguide core, so as to inhibit return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. Another embodiment of the present invention introduces a phase delay in the coupled optical signal and permits return of the coupled signal to the waveguide core. An additional embodiment contemplates the use of a ridge waveguide structure to enable control of the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Optimer Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Nippa, Richard W. Ridgway, Steven M. Risser, Dirk Schoellner, Louis P. Vassy
  • Patent number: 7215869
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cantilever-type PLC optical attenuator. The optical attenuator includes a base substrate made of silicon, an input waveguide, and output waveguide. Front portions of the upper and lower silicon substrates around the output waveguide are thinner than rear portions of the upper and lower silicon substrates around the output waveguide to provide a cantilever part having upper and lower cantilever substrate parts. A first electrode is provided on a bottom of the lower cantilever substrate part, and a second electrode is provided on the base substrate to electromagnetically correspond to the first electrode. When a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, the cantilever part moves up and down by an electromagnetic force, thus controlling the output light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Jun Lee, Yoon Shik Hong, Ro Woon Lee, Jong Sam Kim
  • Patent number: 7203396
    Abstract: An all optical chopping device for shaping and reshaping comprising an all optical AND logic gate having a first input for receiving a first optical signal, a second input for receiving a second optical signal and at least one output. The AND gate may be arranged to produce at least at one output thereof an optical output signal corresponding to a portion of the AND product of the first optical signal and the second optical signals. The optical output signal may be narrower than at least one of the first optical signal and the second optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Main Street Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Arie Shahar, Eldan Halberthal
  • Patent number: 7200290
    Abstract: An optical switch has an optical waveguide whose output path of an optical signal branches into two, a carrier injection section which is provided to a branch portion of the optical waveguide and to which carriers are injected, and a refractive index change section which is provided to a optical waveguide layer of the optical waveguide and in which a refractive index changes in a case that carrier are injected to the carrier injection section, wherein the refractive index change section has a quantum dot or a quantum wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Wada Morio, Araki Shoujirou, Dobashi Machio, Iio Shinji, Suehiro Masayuki, Asano Yoshiyuki, Nakajima Shinichi, Yakihara Tsuyoshi, Miura Akira
  • Patent number: 7200294
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light-transmitting module capable of emitting light in stable under a predetermined temperature, especially the light-transmitting module applicable to a condition when the predetermined temperature is lower than ambient temperatures. The light-transmitting module of the present invention includes a light-emitting module, which encloses the laser diode and the Peltier device therein, a substrate electrically connected to the light-emitting module, and a heater. The heater is able to heat the package of the light-emitting module when the predetermined temperature of the laser diode is higher than the ambient temperature, thereby preventing the temperature of the package from lowering the dew-point and droplets from being generated on the substrate. The optical output from the light-transmitting module can be stabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 7197225
    Abstract: A variable optical attenuator has a first and second waveguides that are optically coupled together. At least one of the waveguides has a movable cantilever portion that is movable relative to the other to control attenuation of an optical signal traveling between the two. Preferably, electrically driven actuators deflect the movable waveguides to a relative position at which a desired optical attenuation value is achieved. The electrically driven actuator receives a drive signal that controls the amount of deflection. The drive signal may be set to achieve a desired value for an electrical parameter that varies with the position of the movable waveguide and may be sensed by the electrically driven actuator. In some examples, the drive signal is set to achieve a desired capacitance or voltage difference between the movable waveguide and an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Mark George Romo, Charles Ray Willcox, Stanley Edward Rud, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7190849
    Abstract: A display device is provided having a light-emitter for emitting light depending upon predetermined display data, and a display panel having a plurality of elongated optical waveguides for conducting light entering from the light-emitter, and an addresser for extracting light from a predetermined region within the optical waveguide depending upon the predetermined display data. The addresser has column electrodes separately provided respectively for the plurality of optical waveguides and a plurality of elongated row electrodes provided to cross the column electrodes at an opposite side through the optical waveguides. Light is emitted at the predetermined region by applying a voltage to a crossing point of the column electrodes and the row electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Katase
  • Patent number: 7190861
    Abstract: The invention is in the field of distributed Raman amplification for digital and analog transmission applications and other applications, e.g., instrumentation and imaging applications, including HFC-CATV applications. In particular, the invention uses a high power broadband source of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) as the Raman pump source for improved system performance. The invention also includes methods for constructing such a high-power broadband Raman pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin J. Knopp, Daryoosh Vakhshoori, Peidong Wang
  • Patent number: 7187837
    Abstract: An arrangement for actively controlling, in two dimensions, the manipulation of light within an SOI-based optical structure utilizes doped regions formed within the SOI layer and a polysilicon layer of a silicon-insulator-silicon capacitive (SISCAP) structure. The regions are oppositely doped so as to form an active device, where the application of a voltage potential between the oppositely doped regions functions to modify the refractive index in the affected area and alter the properties of an optical signal propagating through the region. The doped regions may be advantageously formed to exhibit any desired “shaped” (such as, for example, lenses, prisms, Bragg gratings, etc.), so as to manipulate the propagating beam as a function of the known properties of these devices. One or more active devices of the present invention may be included within a SISCAP formed, SOI-based optical element (such as, for example, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, ring resonator, optical switch, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: SiOptical, Inc.
    Inventors: Prakash Gothoskar, Margaret Ghiron, Robert Keith Montgomery, Vipulkumar Patel, Kalpendu Shastri, Soham Pathak, Katherine A. Yanushefski
  • Patent number: 7184613
    Abstract: A doped barrier region included in an optical phase shifter is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a first region of an optical waveguide and a second region of the optical waveguide. The second region of the optical waveguide includes a higher doped region of material and a lower doped region of material. An insulating region disposed between the first and second regions of the optical waveguide is also included. A first portion the higher doped region is disposed proximate to the insulating region. A dopant barrier region is also included and is disposed between the higher and lower doped regions of the second region of the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Dean A. Samara-Rubio, Ling Liao, Dexter W. Hodge
  • Patent number: 7184627
    Abstract: An optical wavelength grating coupler incorporating one or more distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) or other reflective elements to enhance the coupling efficiency thereof. The grating coupler has a grating comprising a plurality of scattering elements adapted to scatter light along a portion of an optical path, and the one or more DBRs are positioned with respect to the grating such that light passing through the grating towards the substrate of the grating coupler is reflected back by DBRs toward the grating. The DBR comprises a multilayer stack of various materials and may be formed on the substrate of the grating coupler. The grating coupler may include a gas-filled cavity, where the cavity is formed by a conventional etching process and is used to reflect light toward the grating. The grating coupler may also incorporate an anti-reflection coating to reduce reflective loss on the surface of the grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Gunn, III, Thierry J. Pinguet, Maxime Jean Rattier
  • Patent number: 7181093
    Abstract: The present invention provides a RF-lightwave modulator with improved efficiency by making use of a broken loop resonator having a gap therein. In the present invention a RF input signal is coupled into a broken loop resonator, thereby producing a RF output signal. An optical modulator connected across the gap receives the RF output signal and modulates a lightwave with the RF output signal to produce a RF modulated lightwave. Because the optical modulator is connected across the gap in the broken loop resonator, the voltage of the RF output signal applied to the optical modulator will be greater than the voltage of the RF input signal applied to the broken loop resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Yap, Peter Petre, Joseph S. Colburn
  • Patent number: 7170142
    Abstract: A planar integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a substrate surface and a trench in the substrate, a waveguide medium in the trench having a top surface and a light propagation axis, the trench having a sufficient depth for the waveguide medium to be at or below said substrate surface, and at least one Schottky barrier electrode formed on the top surface of said waveguide medium and defining a Schottky barrier detector consisting of the electrode and the portion of the waveguide medium underlying the Schottky barrier electrode, at least the underlying portion of the waveguide medium being a semiconductor and defining an electrode-semiconductor interface parallel to the light propagation axis so that light of a predetermined wavelength from said waveguide medium propagates along the interface as a plasmon-polariton wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Wojcik, Lawrence C. West, Thomas P. Pearsall
  • Patent number: 7171064
    Abstract: A thermo-optic switch is operated in a novel near-impulse mode in which the drive pulse width is shorter than twice the diffusion time of the switch. The drive pulse width is less than the rise time of the steady-state optical response and also less than the rise time of the deflection efficiency response to the applied drive pulse. The drive pulse can further include a sustaining segment following the initial short pulse segment, if it is desired to maintain the switch in an ON state for a longer period of time. A number of additional techniques are described for further reducing the response time of the switch. An array of thermo-optic switches operated in this manner can form a display which, due to the fast individual switch rise times, can operate at an overall fast refresh rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventors: Michael J. Brinkman, William K. Bischel, Tony Kowalczyk, David R. Main, Lee L. Huang
  • Patent number: 7171068
    Abstract: A method to improve an extinction ratio of an optical device, the method includes positioning at least a majority of a plurality of micro-mirrors in an off-state position. A mirror assembly includes the plurality of micro-mirrors. The method also includes selectively positioning at least one of the plurality of micro-mirrors in an on-state position. In one particular embodiment, the at least one of the plurality of micro-mirrors positioned in the on-state position operates to improve an extinction ratio of an optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry Bartlett, Benjamin L. Lee, Bryce D. Sawyers
  • Patent number: 7171065
    Abstract: Compact optical devices and methods of constructing the same are disclosed. The optical devices are formed with perpendicular orientations to the surface of a supporting layer (e.g., substrate), and have three-dimensional structures rather than planar structures. The optical devices can be formed with high density on supporting layers without the need for several built-up layers. Maintaining the processing temperatures within the cure profiles of polymer optical layers is readily achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Lee, Kishio Yokouchi
  • Patent number: 7171063
    Abstract: An optical modulator which has substantially low loss and has an improvement in voltage reduction is disclosed having an electro-optic lithium niobate substrate. The substrate has first, second and third ridges extending along its surface. Extending along the first and second ridges are first and second waveguides. A first RF electrode extends over the first waveguide and a second slotted electrode including a first section extends over the second waveguide. A second section of the slotted extends parallel to and adjacent to the first section on the third ridge. In summary, this invention provides a slotted ground electrode wherein a slot is formed in the substrate between the slotted electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert D. Feke, Hirotoshi Nagata, Karl Kissa
  • Patent number: 7167607
    Abstract: A symmetric optical modulator with low driving voltage, wherein polarization of any one of branched waveguides formed on a substrate is inverted, and the two branched waveguides are simultaneously controlled by a center electrode formed on a top portion thereof, thereby ensuring a low voltage driving and embodying a characteristic of there being no signal distortion due to chirp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Korea Electronics Technology Institute
    Inventors: Woo Kyung Kim, Woo Seok Yang, Han Young Lee
  • Patent number: 7164820
    Abstract: In the field of flexible displays there is a need for an electro-optic filament that is capable of being woven, knitted or crocheted. An electro-optic filament or fibre (10) includes an elongate core (11) extending lengthwise within a volume (12) of polarisable material; and an outer electrode member (13) overlying the volume (12). The core (11) and outer member (13) are electrically conducting and connectable to electrical potentials to generate a radial field in the polarisable material. The outer member (13) is optically transmissive and/or transflective. The polarisable material (12) exhibits an optical effect such as a colour change, change in polarisation or change in reflectivity, when subjected to a said field or a change in a said field. The filament or fibre may readily be woven into eg. a fabric or a garment, using conventional textile processing machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: David A. Eves, Jeffrey A. Chaman, Hans-Helmut Bechtel, Philippa C. Wagner, Yourii Martynov
  • Patent number: 7164821
    Abstract: The index of refraction of waveguide structures can be varied by altering carrier concentration. The waveguides preferably comprise semiconductors like silicon that are substantially optically transmissive at certain wavelengths. Variation of the carrier density in these semiconductors may be effectuated by inducing an electric field within the semiconductor for example by apply a voltage to electrodes associated with the semiconductor. Variable control of the index of refraction may be used to implement a variety of functionalites including, but not limited to, tunable waveguide gratings and resonant cavities, switchable couplers, modulators, and optical switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Lawrence Cary Gunn, III