Optical filtering device
AssigneeCirrex Corp.
InventorMichael L. Wach
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for filtering light propagating within waveguides, including optical fibers. The device includes an optical filter, a first waveguide section and a second waveguide section positioned between the filter and the first waveguide section. The diameter of the second waveguide section is greater on the end proximate to the optical filter than on the end opposite the optical filter, typically tapering from one end of the second waveguide section to the other. Benefits include reduction of power density, collimation of light for filtering and/or facilitation of optical coupling, and robustness.
Claims69
A waveguide device for filtering light, comprising:
- an optical filter,
- a first section of waveguide, and
- a second section of waveguide positioned between the first section of waveguide and the optical filter and being in optical communication with the first section of waveguide and the optical filter,
- the diameter of the second section of waveguide being greater on the end closest to the optical filter than on the end farthest from the optical filter.
A method for designing a second waveguide section of a waveguide device for filtering light comprising an optical filter, a first section of waveguide, and the second section of waveguide, the second section of waveguide positioned between the first section of waveguide and the optical filter, the diameter of the second section of waveguide being greater on the end adjacent to the optical filter than on the end opposite the optical filter, comprising the steps of
- selecting a hypothetical physical configuration of the second waveguide section to be evaluated,
- selecting a plurality of hypothetical light rays having different angular orientations that enter the second waveguide section from the end of the second waveguide section that is farthest from the optical filter,
- tracing the paths of the plurality of hypothetical light rays through the hypothetical physical configuration of the second waveguide section,
- calculating the spectral and directional characteristics of the light rays that will pass through the optical filter after having entered the second waveguide section from the end of the second waveguide section that is farthest from the optical filter and traversing the second waveguide section,
- selecting a second hypothetical physical configuration of the second waveguide section to be evaluated,
- tracing the paths of the plurality of hypothetical light rays through the second hypothetical physical configuration of the second waveguide section,
- calculating the spectral and directional characteristics of the light rays that will pass through the optical filter after having entered the second waveguide section from the end of the second waveguide section that is farthest from the optical filter and traversing the second waveguide section, and
- comparing the results of the evaluations and selecting a configuration of the device that produces acceptable results.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.