US 6,298,182 B1Granted

Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices using polymer lenses

AssigneeLight Chip, Inc.

InventorRobert K. Wade

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Abstract

An improved wavelength division multiplexing device is disclosed. The improved wavelength division multiplexing device has a diffraction grating for combining a plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam. The improvement in the improved wavelength division multiplexing device is the use of a polymer collimating/focusing lens for collimating the plurality of monochromatic optical beams traveling along a first direction to the diffraction grating, and for focusing the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam traveling along a second direction from the diffraction grating, wherein the second direction being substantially opposite the first direction.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An integrated wavelength division multiplexing device comprising:

a polymer collimating/focusing lens for collimating a plurality of monochromatic optical beams traveling along a first direction, and for focusing a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam traveling along a second direction, the second direction being substantially opposite the first direction;
a boot lens affixed to the polymer collimating/focusing lens for transmitting the plurality of monochromatic optical beams from the polymer collimating/focusing lens along the first direction, and for transmitting the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam to the polymer collimating/focusing lens along the second direction, the boot lens having a planar interface surface;
and
a diffraction grating formed at the planar interface surface of the boot lens for combining the plurality of monochromatic optical beams into the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, and for reflecting the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam back into the boot lens.

1 more element

An integrated wavelength division demultiplexing device comprising:

a polymer collimating/focusing lens for collimating a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam traveling along a first direction, and for focusing a plurality of monochromatic optical beams traveling along a second direction, the second direction being substantially opposite the first direction;
a boot lens affixed to the polymer collimating/focusing lens for transmitting the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam from the polymer collimating/focusing lens along the first direction, and for transmitting the plurality of monochromatic optical beams to the polymer collimating/focusing lens along the second direction, the boot lens having a planar interface surface;
and
a diffraction grating formed at the planar interface surface of the boot lens for separating the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam into the plurality of monochromatic optical beams, and for reflecting the plurality of monochromatic optical beams back into the boot lens.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/392,670Filed 8 Sep 1999 · continuation in part
Priority: 13 Dec 1997
Granted: 2 Oct 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G02B 6/2938
Characterised by the function or use of the complete device: for multiplexing or demultiplexing, i.e. combining or separating wavelengths, e.g.…
G02B 6/29307
As bulk element, i.e. free space arrangement external to a light guide: components assembled in or forming a solid transparent unitary block, e.g.…
G02B 6/2931
As bulk element, i.e. free space arrangement external to a light guide: diffractive element operating in reflection
G02B 6/4215
The coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms: the intermediate optical elements being wavelength selective…

Family

Application08/990,197Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 13 Dec 1997
Application08/990,199Parent of this continuation · filed 13 Dec 1997
US 6,011,884 AParent of this continuation-in-part
Application08/990,197Parent of this continuation
US 5,999,672 AParent of this continuation
US 6,298,182 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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