Subsurface induced scattering centers
AssigneeLumentum Operations LLC
InventorsJames Lefort, Richard D. Faulhaber, Martin H. Muendel, Andreas Oehler
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Abstract
An optical element may include a plurality of subsurface induced scattering centers formed in the optical element, where the plurality of subsurface induced scattering centers scatter light passing through the optical element. In some implementations, the plurality of subsurface induced scattering centers may form a scattering region in the optical element. Additionally, or alternatively, the plurality of subsurface induced scattering centers may spatially vary transmission of light through the optical element. The optical element may be an optical waveguide, a bulk optic, and/or the like.
Claims20
An apodizing filter, comprising:
- a plurality of subsurface induced scattering centers formed in the apodizing filter,
- wherein the plurality of subsurface induced scattering centers scatter light passing through the apodizing filter, and
- wherein the apodizing filter is included in a cladding of a portion of an optical fiber,
- wherein the portion of the optical fiber comprises a cladding light stripper.
An optical fiber, comprising:
- a plurality of subsurface induced scattering centers formed in a cladding of a first portion of the optical fiber,
- wherein the plurality of subsurface induced scattering centers form an apodizing filter to scatter light passing through the optical fiber, and
- wherein the plurality of subsurface induced scattering centers are not included in the cladding of a second portion of the optical fiber.
A method, comprising:
- focusing, by a device, emitted laser pulses on a plurality of subsurface locations within a cladding portion of an optical element to form a subsurface induced scattering center at each of the plurality of subsurface locations,
- wherein an emitted laser pulse of the emitted laser pulses vaporizes a portion of material forming the optical element to form the subsurface induced scattering center.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.