US 5,907,427 A · Photonic band gap device and method using a periodicity defect region to increase photonic signal delay

Abstract

A photonic band gap structure device and method for delaying photonic signals of a predetermined frequency and a predetermined bandwidth by a predetermined delay is provided. A Fabry-Perot delay line device has several regions of periodically alternating refractive material layers which exhibit a series of photonic band gaps and a periodicity defect region, interposed between the regions of periodically alternating refractive material layers. The Fabry-Perot delay line device imparts a predetermined delay to photonic signals that pass therethrough. The introduction of the periodicity defect region into this photonic band gap structure creates a sharp transmission resonance within the corresponding photonic band gap of the structure and causes at least an order of magnitude improvement in photonic signal delay for a band-edge delay line device of similar size. Variable photonic delays to multiple photonic signals are also generated by this Fabry-Perot delay line device. In addition, a photonic signal delay device based on an optical fiber grating structure is provided.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A device for delaying a first photonic signal by a first predetermined delay, the first photonic signal having a first predetermined frequency and a first predetermined bandwidth, comprising:

a first region having periodically alternating refractive material layers which exhibit a photonic band gap structure, wherein said first region comprises
a first refractive material layer having a first thickness and a first index of refraction, and
a second refractive material layer having a second thickness and a second index of refraction;
a second region having periodically alternating refractive material layers which exhibit a photonic band gap structure, wherein said second region comprises
a third refractive material layer having a third thickness and a third index of refraction, and
a fourth refractive material layer having a fourth thickness and a fourth index of refraction;
and
a first periodicity defect region, interposed between said first and second regions of periodically alternating refractive material layers, whereby the first predetermined delay is imparted to the first photonic signal during passage through the device.

5 more elements

A method for imparting a delay to a photonic signal of a predetermined frequency and a predetermined bandwidth by a predetermined temporal duration, wherein the photonic signal is generated by an optical source, comprising the steps of:

(1) sending the photonic signal along an optical path;
(2) passing the photonic signal through a first region of periodically alternating refractive sections in said optical path of the photonic signal;
(3) passing the photonic signal through a periodicity defect region in said optical path;
and
(4) passing the photonic signal through a second region of periodically alternating refractive sections in said optical path.

2 more elements

A method for imparting a first temporal delay to a first photonic signal of a first predetermined frequency and a first predetermined bandwidth by a first predetermined temporal duration and a second temporal delay to a second photonic signal of a second predetermined frequency and a second predetermined bandwidth by a second predetermined temporal duration, wherein the first and second photonic signals are generated by an optical source, comprising the steps of:

(1) sending the first and second photonic signals along an optical path;
(2) passing the first and second photonic signals through a first region of periodically alternating refractive sections in said optical path of the photonic signal;
(3) passing the first and second photonic signals through a first periodicity defect region in said optical path;
(4) passing the first and second photonic signals through a second region of periodically alternating refractive sections in said optical path;
(5) passing the first and second photonic signals through a second periodicity defect region in said optical path;
and
(6) passing the first and second photonic signals through a third region of periodically alternating refractive sections in said optical path.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Photonic band gap device and method using a periodicity defect region to increase photonic signal delay

Life of this patent

Photonic band gap device and method using a periodicity defect region to increase photonic signal delay

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33