Thermal gradient prism for active beam steering
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorMark McDonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable optical attenuator (VOA) for use in an optical fiber communication system has a substrate, a thermal gradient prism and a heating element deposited on the prism. Heat is applied to the thermal gradient prism through the heating element. An optical signal is input into the prism via an optical signal input source. The optical signal traveling through the prism may be deflected due to a thermal gradient of the prism. The deflected optical signal is output into an optical signal output carrying medium. An optical signal strength measuring apparatus may measure a parameter related to the strength of the optical signal output into the optical signal output carrying medium.
Claims25
A method of controlling attenuation of an optical signal in an optical network, the method comprising:
- applying energy to a heating element coupled to the prism;
- inputting the optical signal into a prism;
- measuring strength of the optical signal output from the thermal gradient prism;
- and
- adjusting level of energy applied to the heating element in response to the measured strength of the optical signal output from the prism.
A method of controlling attenuation of an optical signal in a optical network, the method comprising:
- applying energy to a first heating element coupled to a first thermal gradient prism, wherein the first thermal gradient prism is made of a first thermally active medium;
- applying energy to a second heating element coupled to a second thermal gradient prism, wherein the second thermal gradient prism is made of a second thermally active medium;
- inputting the optical signal into the first prism;
- inputting the optical signal output from the first prism into the second prism;
- measuring strength of the optical signal output from the second prism;
- adjusting level of energy applied to the first heating element in response to the strength of the optical signal output from the second prism;
- and
- adjusting level of energy applied to the second heating element in response to the strength of the optical signal output from the second prism.
A method of steering an optical beam, comprising:
- applying energy to a heating element coupled to a thermal gradient prism;
- inputting the optical beam into the prism;
- measuring the strength of the optical beam output from the prism;
- and
- adjusting level of energy applied to the heating element based on the angle of the optical beam output from the prism.
A dual thermal gradient prism for use in an optical fiber communication system, the dual thermal gradient prism comprising:
- a substrate;
- a first thermal gradient prism attached to the substrate;
- a second thermal gradient prism attached to the substrate;
- a heating element attached to the first thermal gradient prism and the second thermal gradient prism;
- an optical signal input source attached to the first thermal gradient prism;
- and
- an optical signal output source attached to the second thermal gradient prism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.