Phase mask consisting of an array of multiple diffractive elements for simultaneous accurate fabrication of large arrays of optical couplers and method for making same
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsThomas K. Gaylord, Elias N. Glytsis, James D. Meindl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention entails a phase mask for producing a plurality of volume gratings for use as optical couplers and method for creating the phase mask. The phase mask is produced by creating a plurality of volume gratings having predetermined characteristics which allow the phase mask, when excited by a coherent light wave, to produce a plurality of volume gratings in a recording material.
Claims28
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising:
- a phase mask;
- recording material;
- and
- a grating pair of the phase mask including
- a first grating for diffracting light towards a focus region on the recording material;
- and
- a second grating for diffracting light towards said focus region on the recording material;
- the grating pair having a period that continuously varies over the surface of the gratings;
- and
- the diffracting light from the grating pair intersecting and interfering such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler.
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising:
- a phase mask;
- a recording material;
- and
- a grating pair of the phase mask including
- a first grating for diffracting light at a first predetermined angle of diffraction, the first grating having a non-constant period;
- and
- a second grating for diffracting light at a second predetermined angle of diffraction;
- and
- wherein said light diffracted by said first grating and said light diffracted by said second grating are directed to intersect at a predetermined intersection region of the recording material to form a recorded grating such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler;
- and
- wherein the grating pair has a general non-constant-period.
A system for creating a grating for use as an optical coupler, comprising:
- a light source for generating a light wave;
- phase mask having a first grating configured to optically couple said light wave to a recording material, the first grating having a non-constant period, and a second grating configured to optically couple said light wave to said recording material, the second grating having a non-constant period;
- and
- wherein said first and second gratings are configured to focus said light wave to create an interference pattern in said recording material, the interference pattern forming an optical coupler.
A method for creating a grating for use as an optical coupler, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating a coherent light beam;
- directing said coherent light beam into a phase mask having at least two gratings, at least one of said gratings of the phase mask having a non-constant period, said phase mask configured to optically couple a pair of coherent light beams to a recording material;
- and
- focusing said coherent light beams to create an interference pattern in said recording material to form an optical coupler.
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising:
- a phase mask having a continuously varying period and a continuously varying periodicity direction over the entire surface of the phase mask;
- a recording material;
- and
- a grating pair of the phase mask including
- a first grating for diffracting light towards a focus region on the recording material;
- and
- a second grating for diffracting light towards the focus region on the recording material;
- the diffracting light from the grating pair intersecting and interfering to form a recorded grating such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler.
An apparatus for producing an optical coupler comprising:
- a phase mask;
- a recording material;
- and
- a grating pair of the phase mask including
- a first grating for diffracting light towards a focus region on the recording material, the first grating having a non-constant period;
- and
- a second grating for diffracting light towards the focus region on the recording material, the second grating having a non-constant period;
- the grating pair diffracting light into a general arbitrary-profile light beam;
- and
- the diffracting light from the grating pair intersecting and interfering such that the interference pattern forms an optical coupler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.