Single-mode 1.times.N holographic fiber optics coupler
AssigneeNorthwestern University
InventorMichel E. Marhic
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A holographic 1.times.N single-mode fiber optics coupler for coupling a single-mode monochromatic fiber optics input to N single-mode fiber optics outputs. A hologram of the output fiber bundle or the equivalent is recorded and then a reconstructed image is generated by illuminaing the hologram by means of a single-mode input signal on a single-mode optical fiber. The holographically generated image of the original fiber optics bundle is then coupled to the original fiber bundle or a substantially equivalent output fiber optics bundle providing a high efficiency, compact, and low cost 1.times.N fiber optics coupler with self-alignment features.
Claims15
A holographic 1.times.N single-mode fiber optic coupler for dividing a substantially monochromatic single-mode fiber optics input into N single-mode outputs, comprising:
- input means for input of a substantially monochromatic single-mode fiber optical signal;
- holographic means for holographically imaging the substantial monochromatic single-mode fiber optical signal into a predetermined array of N substantially monochromatic single-mode optical signals;
- and
- output means for coupling the N optical signals to N output optical fibers.
A method of holographically coupling a substantially monochromatic single-mode fiber optics input to N single-mode fiber optics outputs, comprising the steps of:
- inputting a substantially monochromatic single-mode fiber optical signal;
- holographically imaging the substantially monochromatic single-mode fiber optical signal into a predetermined array of N single-mode optical signals;
- and
- coupling the N optical single-mode signals to N output optical fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.