Back to results
US 5,845,025 AGranted
Optical coupling device and process for modulating light
AssigneeThe Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
InventorsAnthony F. Garito, Qiuming Qian, Yongming Cai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Electro-optic devices and methods for making and using same are provided wherein waveguide elements are coupled by introducing between them a coupling element to permit strong optical coupling between the waveguides in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction in which light normally would propagate in the waveguides.
Claims44
An optical device comprising:
- a first member having a longitudinal surface extending between a first input surface and a first output surface and including a first coupling surface;
- a second member having a longitudinal surface extending between a second input surface and a second output surface and including a second coupling surface;
- and
- a coupling member disposed between said first member and said second member, said coupling member including a third coupling surface optically coupled with said first coupling surface and a fourth coupling surface optically coupled with said second coupling surface, wherein:
- said first coupling surface is bonded to and optically coupled with said third coupling surface;
- or
- said second coupling surface is bonded to and optically coupled with said fourth coupling surface;
- or
- said first member and said coupling member form defined regions within a monolithic structural element;
- or
- said second member and said coupling member form defined regions within a monolithic structural element.
8 more elements
A process for preparing an optical device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first member having a first longitudinal surface extending between a first input surface and a first output surface;
- optically coupling said first member with a coupling member;
- and
- optically coupling said coupling member with a second member having a second longitudinal surface extending between a second input surface and a second output surface, wherein:
- at least one surface of said first member is bonded to and optically coupled with a surface of said coupling member;
- or
- at lest one surface of said second member is bonded to and optically coupled with said coupling member;
- or
- said first member and said coupling member form defined regions within a monolithic structural element;
- or said second member and said coupling member form defined regions within a monolithic structural element.
7 more elements
A process for modulating light, comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying said light to an input surface of a device that comprises:
- a first member having a longitudinal surface extending between a first input surface and a first output surface;
- a second member having a longitudinal surface extending between a second input surface and a second output surface;
- a coupling member disposed between said first member and said second member, said coupling member being optically coupled with said first member and said second member such that:
- at least one surface of said first member is bonded to and optically coupled with a surface of said coupling member;
- or at lest one surface of said second member is bonded to and optically coupled with said coupling member;
- or said first member and said coupling member form defined regions within a monolithic structural element;
- or said second member and said coupling member form defined regions within a monolithic structural element;
- output means coupled with said first member for receiving light from said first output surface;
- output means coupled with said second member for receiving light from said second output surface;
- and
- electrode means disposed on a surface of said device;
- said application of light resulting in a discharge of light from at least one of said output surfaces, said discharge having measurable intensity, frequency, or wavelength;
- (b) applying a voltage to said electrode means for a time and under conditions effective to alter said intensity, frequency, or wavelength of said discharge.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.