Wavelength division multiplexing coupler with loss element
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsJames Blake, Ren-Young Liu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for adjusting power at output ports of a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) coupler. A loss element may be placed at one or more of the output ports of the WDM coupler. The loss element may have a filter characteristic that matches the temperature sensitivity coefficient of the WDM coupler. The filter characteristic may reject power at one of the two output ports as a function of temperature. As a result, the loss element may balance the power at the output ports of the WDM coupler despite temperature variations.
Claims19
A wavelength division multiplexing coupler comprising:
- a coupling section;
- at least one input port;
- a plurality of output ports;
- a loss element;
- wherein the at least one input port is coupled to the coupling section by a wave guide;
- wherein the plurality of output ports is coupled to the coupling section by a plurality of wave guides;
- and
- wherein the loss element has a filter characteristic that substantially matches a temperature sensitivity coefficient of the wavelength division multiplexing coupler and adjusts power output at one of the output ports to maintain a desired splitting ratio with temperature variation.
A method comprising:
- determining a temperature sensitivity coefficient of a wavelength division multiplexing coupler;
- passing light from a light source through at least one input port of the wavelength division multiplexing coupler;
- and
- adjusting, as a function of temperature, power output at a plurality of output ports of the wavelength division multiplexing coupler, the power output being adjusted by a loss element at at least one of the plurality of output ports, the loss element having a filter characteristic that matches the temperature sensitivity of the wavelength division multiplexing coupler.
A wavelength division multiplexing coupler comprising:
- two waveguides joined at a coupling section;
- at least one input port on one of the waveguides on a first side of the coupling section;
- each waveguide having an output port on a second side of the coupling section;
- a temperature varying loss element coupled between the coupling section and one of the output ports of one of the waveguides, wherein the loss element has a filter characteristic that substantially matches a temperature sensitivity coefficient of the wavelength division multiplexing coupler such that a desired splitting ratio between the waveguides is maintained with temperature variations for a selected wavelength of light.
A wavelength division multiplexing coupler comprising:
- two waveguides joined at a coupling section;
- at least one input port on one of the waveguides on a first side of the coupling section;
- each waveguide having an output port on a second side of the coupling section;
- means for maintaining a desired splitting ratio between the waveguides with temperature variations for a selected wavelength of light, said means including a loss element having a filter characteristic that matches the temperature sensitivity of the wavelength division multiplexing coupler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.