Polarization independent grating modulator
OwnerAsif A. Godil, Benjamin Wai-Ho Chui +2inventors
InventorsAsif A. Godil, Benjamin Wai-Ho Chui, David M. Bloom, Kenneth A. Honer
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Abstract
A fiber-optic modulator based on a micromachined grating device which is both polarization independent and achromatic in behavior is described. The device is a two dimensional grating or periodic structure which is symmetric in the X and Y axes. It is comprised of a membrane with holes cut in it that moves downward with the application of a voltage which starts diffracting light. The hole region may have a raised island to provide achromatic behavior.
Claims14
A controllable diffractive element, comprising:
- a substrate with at least a portion being substantially reflective;
- a membrane with a front surface, a back surface, the membrane including a plurality of first apertures extending from the front to the back surface, at least a portion of the front surface being substantially reflective;
- at least one anchor coupling the membrane and the substrate at a first distance in a passive state, wherein in an active state an application of a force to the membrane modifies the first distance and provides a controllable diffraction of light that is incident on the substrate and the membrane.
A fiber optic component, comprising:
- an input optical fiber capable of carrying an optical beam, the input optical fiber having an input optical fiber longitudinal axis and an input optical fiber endface;
- a lens optically coupled to the input optical fiber, the lens capable of collimating the optical beam from the input optical fiber, the lens having an optical axis and an input focal plane and an output focal plane;
- an output optical fiber optically coupled to the lens, the output optical fiber having an output optical fiber longitudinal axis and an output optical fiber endface;
- and
- a controllable diffractive element optically coupled to the lens, the controllable diffractive element capable of controllably reflecting substantially none to substantially all of the optical beam from the input optical fiber through the lens, back through the lens and into the output optical fiber, the controllable diffractive element capable of modifying at least one characteristic of the optical beam, the controllable diffractive element having an at least one reflective surface.
A method of variable optical attenuation, comprising:
- providing a controllable diffractive element with a substrate, a membrane and an anchor that couples the membrane and the substrate at a first distance in a passive state;
- applying a force to the membrane;
- modifying the first distance by the application of the force;
- and
- providing a controllable diffraction of light that is incident on the substrate and the membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.