Tuning of optical fiber components
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorsHelen F Priddle, Ian A Abraham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tuning element tunes an optical component by adjusting the length of an optical fiber used within the optical component. Changes in length of a piezoelectric element are amplified by a surround structure, and the surround is provided with optical fiber fixing portions. The piezoelectric element is provided with an opening for receiving a fiber, such that a portion of a fiber can pass transversely through the opening, the length of the portion being adjustable by controlling the length of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric actuators have a fast response time and provide reliable operation.
Claims20
A tuning device for an optical component comprising:
- a piezoelectric member having generally oppositely facing end faces and oppositely facing side faces extending between said end faces;
- an element surrounding the piezoelectric member contacting with said end faces of said member but not contacting with said side faces of said member;
- and
- a fixing portion for an optical fiber to be mounted on the surround element, said portion being located on said element at a point where it is not in contact with said member,
- wherein the surround element has a width, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric member,
- whereby the width of the surround element varies if the length of said piezoelectric member is varied and the resultant change in width of said surround element is greater than the change in length of said piezoelectric member.
A tuneable optical component comprising an optical fiber, having a length, and a tuning device for adjusting the length of the optical fiber, the tuning device comprising:
- a piezoelectric member having generally oppositely facing end faces and oppositely facing side faces extending between said end faces, and
- an element surrounding the piezoelectric member contacting with said end faces of said member but not contacting with said side faces of said member,
- wherein the optical fiber is fixed at a position along its length to the surround element at a point where said element is not in contact with said member,
- wherein the surround element has a width, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric member, and
- whereby the width of the surround element varies if the length of said piezoelectric member is varied and the resultant change in width of said surround element is greater than the change in length of said piezoelectric member.
A method of tuning an optical component, said component comprising:
- a piezoelectric member having generally oppositely facing end faces and oppositely facing side faces extending between said end faces,
- an element surrounding the piezoelectric member contacting with said end faces of said member but not contacting with said side faces of said member, and
- an optical fiber, having a length, fixed at a position along its length to the surround element at a point where said element is not in contact with said member,
- wherein the surround element has a width, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric member,
- and said method comprising applying control signals to said member, whereby the width of the surround element varies if the length of said piezoelectric member is varied and the resultant change in width of said surround element is greater than the change in length of said piezoelectric member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.