Holographic reflective grating multiplexer/demultiplexer
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorsJacques E. Ludman, Joseph L. Horner, Thomas L. Mikes
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Abstract
A multiplexer/demultiplexer having a holographically formed reflective grating incorporated therein. In operation as a demultiplexer a single signal having a plurality of wavelengths impinges upon the holographic reflective grating in an appropriate manner and is separated into a plurality of signals, each being of a different one of the wavelengths. In the multiplexing mode of operation, a plurality of signals, each being of a different wavelength impinges upon the holographic reflective grating in an appropriate manner and emerges therefrom as a single signal having all of the different wavelengths.
Claims8
A multiplexer/demultiplexer comprising:
- a holographically formed, spherically curved reflective grating, said holographically formed grating being configured to diffract only one first order beam;
- means located substantially at a first preselected point adjacent said holographically formed reflective grating for directing into or receiving from said holographically formed reflective grating a single beam of electromagnetic radiation having a plurality of different wavelengths;
- and
- means located at a plurality of positions substantially along a line extending through said first preselected point and a second preselected point adjacent said holographically formed reflective grating for receiving from or directing into said holographically formed reflective grating a plurality of beams of electromagnetic radiation, each of said beams being at a different wavelength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.