Optical power splitter with electically-controlled switching structures
AssigneeDeacon Research
InventorsMichael J. Brinkman, David A. G. Deacon, William K. Bischel, Simon J. Field
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A new class of optical energy transfer devices and energy guiding devices uses an electric field to control energy propagation using a class of poled structures in solid material. The poled structures, which may form gratings in thin film or bulk configurations, may be combined with waveguide structures. Electric fields applied to the poled structures control routing of optical energy. Devices include splitters, parallel and Y couplers, mode converters and energy leakage attenuators.
Claims27
A patterned poled dielectric device for redirecting optical energy, said device comprising:
- a solid dielectric material, said solid dielectric material having a pattern of differing domains, at least a first type of said domains being a poled structure and forming at least two elements alternating with a second type of said domains;
- means defining a first optical axis as a first path for optical energy in a plane traversing said solid dielectric material and said poled structure;
- and
- at least a first electrically-conductive material forming a first electrode, said first electrode confronting said solid dielectric material in a manner to project an electric field across at least two of said elements of said first type of poled structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.