Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Input/output coupler
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-26
2001-06-19
Bovernick, Rodney (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Input/output coupler
C385S015000, C372S006000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249623
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Broadband optical sources have a wide variety of applications. However, the usefulness of any such source diminishes if its output spectrum changes with temperature. An example of an application prejudiced by temperature-induced wavelength drift is that of interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes, in which a change in mean wavelength changes the gyroscope's scaling factor. Although superfluroescent fiber-optical sources, most notably erbium doped superfluorescent fibers, have generally good wavelength stability, and are thus widely used in such gyroscopes, they are not immune from temperature-induced wavelength drift.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to compensate for temperature-induced changes in the mean wavelength of broadband optical sources.
Another object is to do the foregoing in optical sources useful with interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes.
Another object is to do the foregoing in actively doped optical fibers.
Another object is to do the foregoing in erbium doped superfluorescent optical fibers.
In accordance with these and other objects made apparent hereinafter, the invention concerns a optical system and method employing an optical source and an optical filter. The source's output has a wavelength centroid which changes with increasing temperature within a temperature range of interest. The filter is selected so that the wavelength specific magnitude of the rate of change with temperature of its center wavelength is greater than or equal to the wavelength specific magnitude of the rate of change with temperature of the source's wavelength centroid within the temperature range of interest. In so doing, the change in mean wavelength of the source due to temperature increase is offset by the change in mean wavelength of the filter.
These and other objects are further understood from the following detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention. It is understood, however, that the invention is capable of extended application beyond the precise details of these embodiments. Changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments that do not affect the spirit of the invention, nor exceed its scope, as expressed in the appended claims. The embodiments are described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4938556 (1990-07-01), Digonnet et al.
patent: 5185749 (1993-02-01), Kalman et al.
patent: 5430817 (1995-07-01), Vengsarkar
Kersey Alan D.
Patrick Heather J.
Bovernick Rodney
Karasek John J.
Legg Lawrence G.
Song Sarah
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
LandOfFree
Temperature stabilized broadband optical source and method... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Temperature stabilized broadband optical source and method..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Temperature stabilized broadband optical source and method... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2481918