Separating and combining single-mode and multimode optical beams
AssigneeLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
InventorsAnthony J. Ruggiero, Donald A. Masquelier, Jeffery B. Cooke, Jeffery S. Kallman
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Abstract
Techniques for combining initially separate single mode and multimode optical beams into a single “Dual Mode” fiber optic have been developed. Bi-directional propagation of two beams that are differentiated only by their mode profiles (i.e., wavefront conditions) is provided. The beams can be different wavelengths and or contain different modulation information but still share a common aperture. This method allows the use of conventional micro optics and hybrid photonic packaging techniques to produce small rugged packages suitable for use in industrial or military environments.
Claims22
An apparatus, comprising:
- a single mode central core terminating at a first area of an angled end face;
- a multimode outer core concentric to said central core and terminating at a second area of said angled end face;
- a reflective coating on said second area;
- a cladding surrounding said outer core;
- and
- a window in said cladding that allows transmission of light.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a single mode central core terminating at a first area of an end face;
- a multimode outer core concentric to said central core and terminating at a second area of said end face;
- a cladding surrounding said outer core;
- a multimode fiber optic;
- a source of single mode light;
- and
- means for (i) directing light propagating from said outer core into said multimode fiber optic and (ii) directing said single mode light from said source into said central core.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a single mode central core terminating at a first area of an end face;
- a multimode outer core concentric to said central core and terminating at a second area of said end face;
- a cladding surrounding said outer core;
- a multimode fiber optic;
- a source of single mode light;
- and
- means for (i) directing light propagating from said multimode fiber optic into said outer core and (ii) directing said single mode light from said source into said central core.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a single mode central core for transmitting single mode light, wherein said central core terminates at a first area of an end face;
- a multimode outer core for transmitting multimode mode light, wherein said oter core is concentric to said central core and terminates at a second area of said end face;
- a cladding surrounding said outer core;
- a multimode fiber optic;
- a single mode fiber optic;
- and
- means for (i) directing said multimode light that propagates from said outer core into said multimode fiber optic and (ii) directing said single mode light from said single mode fiber optic into said central core.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a single mode central core for transmitting single mode light, wherein said central core terminates at a first area of an end facie;
- a multimode outer core for transmitting multimode mode light, wherein said oter core is concentric to said central core and terminates at a second area of said end face;
- a cladding surrounding said outer core;
- a multimode fiber optic;
- a single mode fiber optic;
- and
- means for (i) directing said multimode light that propagates from said outer core into said multimode fiber optic and (ii) directing said single mode light from said single mode fiber optic into said central core.
A dual mode fiber optic, comprising a single mode inner core embedded within a concentric multimode outer core within a cladding, wherein said cladding does not cover a window area, wherein said inner core and said outer core terminate at an angled end face, wherein said end face comprises a reflective coating over said outer core, wherein said angled end face and said reflective coating are configured to enable light propagating in said multimode outer core to be reflected from said reflective coating and transmitted through said window.
A dual mode fiber optic, comprising:
- a single mode central core terminating at a first area of an end face;
- a multimode outer core fixedly attached and concentric to said central core and terminating at a second area of said end face;
- a reflective coating fixedly attached to said second area;
- and
- means for coupling (i) multimode light into or out of said multimode outer core and (ii) single mode light into and out of said single mode central core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.