US 6,444,756 B2 · Dispersion-controlled polymers for broad band fiber optic devices

Abstract

Novel polymer compositions for controlling or correcting dispersion mismatch between the composition and a side-fiber polished optical fiber are disclosed. The polymer compositions contain an infrared absorbing dye having an absorption maximum from about 900 to about 1200 nm and and a polar olefin copolymer containing monomers which are formed from polar olefins having an ester, benzene, or halogen substitutent attached. A method for controlling the dispersion exhibited by the novel polymer compositions is also disclosed. The method includes forming the polymer composition over an exposed surface of an optical fiber. Dispersion is controlled by controlling the amount of dye present in the polymer composition. Also disclosed is an optical device from which improvements in the uniformity of spectral response and performance are observed across a wavelength band. The optical device includes the polymer composition formed over an optical fiber. Variable optical attenuators, switches, and couplers can be designed which incorporate the polymer compositions. The invention is particularly useful in the 1500-1600 nm wavelength band.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A method for controlling material dispersion in a polymer composition across a wavelength band, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a portion of an optical fiber through which optical energy can propagate, wherein said portion of said optical fiber has a surface through which at least some of said optical energy can be extracted, and wherein said portion of said optical fiber has an effective mode refractive index at each wavelength of said wavelength band and an effective mode dispersion across said wavelength band;
(b) forming said polymer composition over said surface of said portion of said optical fiber, wherein said polymer composition comprises:
(1) an infrared absorbing dye having an absorption maximum from about 900 to about 1200 nm;
and
(2) a polar olefin copolymer comprising monomeric units derived from two or more polar olefins having an ester, benzene or halogen substituent attached thereto;
and
wherein said polymer composition has a material refractive index at each wavelength of said wavelength band and a material dispersion across said wavelength band;
and
(c) controlling said material dispersion across said wavelength band by altering the amount of said infrared absorbing dye present in said polymer composition, whereby said material refractive index at each wavelength is also controlled.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dispersion-controlled polymers for broad band fiber optic devices

Life of this patent

Dispersion-controlled polymers for broad band fiber optic devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25