Back to results
US 2003/0194179 A1Published application
Mems reconfigurable optical grating
AssigneeHarris Corporation
InventorsRaymond C. Rumpf, Charles M. Newton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tunable grating apparatus includes a plurality of grating structures contained within an optical transmission path. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) actuator is operatively connected to each grating structure for changing the separation between the grating structures and tuning the grating to a desired wavelength selectivity. The grating structures preferably form a Bragg grating.
Claims28
A tunable optical grating comprising:
- a plurality of optical grating structures contained within an optical transmission path;
- and
- a microelectromechanical (MEMS) actuator operatively connected to each grating structure for changing the separation between the grating structures and tuning the optical grating to a desired wavelength selectivity.
A tunable optical add/drop network element comprising:
- an input port for receiving a multi-wavelength optical signal and passing the optical signal along an optical transmission path;
- an output port for receiving the optical signal from the optical transmission path and passing the multi-wavelength optical signal with added or dropped optical signal channel components;
- an optical add/drop element contained within the optical transmission path, said optical add/drop element comprising;
- a plurality of Bragg grating structures contained within the optical transmission path and forming a Bragg grating for receiving the optical signal and passing and/or reflecting optical signal channel components of desired wavelength;
- and
- a microelectromechanical (MEMS) actuator operatively connected to each Bragg grating structure for changing the separation between Bragg grating structures and tuning the Bragg grating to a desired wavelength selectivity.
3 more elements
A tunable laser and filter apparatus comprising;
- a semiconductor substrate;
- a laser structure formed on the semiconductor substrate and further comprising an active layer and plurality of Bragg grating structures formed along the active layer to form a Bragg grating and provide optical reflections at a desired Bragg wavelength;
- and
- a microelectromechanical (MEMS) actuator operatively connected to each Bragg grating structure for changing the separation between Bragg grating structures and tuning the Bragg grating to a desired wavelength selectivity and limiting the laser output to a selected narrow-band mode.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.