1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer...

Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Plural

Reexamination Certificate

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C385S037000, C385S046000, C385S050000, C359S199200, C359S199200, C359S199200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06278814

ABSTRACT:

CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from an application entitled 1×N OPTICAL WAVELENGTH-DIVISION DEMULTIPLEXER ALIGNMENT APPARATUS AND 1×N OPTICAL WAVELENGTH-DIVISION DEMULTIPLEXER THEREFOR earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 27th day of November 1999, and there duly assigned Ser. No. 98-51262, a copy of which is annexed hereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an alignment apparatus for a 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer using a wavelength division demultiplexing coupler, and more particularly, relates to an apparatus for aligning an optical wavelength-division demultiplexer and an optical fiber block.
2. Related Art
Alignment of an optical waveguide device such as an optical wavelength-division demultiplexer falls under the packaging process which is a finishing step in fabricating an optical waveguide device. In order to increase fabrication efficiency, it is important to reduce the time required for connection between an optical waveguide device and an optical fiber by easily aligning the device with the optical fiber.
In order to install an optical waveguide-type device chip in a network, alignment and adhesion with optical fibers must be realized.
Wavelength characteristics per chip fabricated for an optical waveguide device may differ. Thus, it is necessary to know accurate wavelength characteristics before alignment and adhesion. Accordingly, a plurality of light sources for generating light having different wavelengths may be necessary. Thus, the system may become complicated and may require a large number of components.
I have found that it would be desirable to use a new and improved 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer alignment apparatus that solves the problems of the related art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the present invention to solve the above-described problems.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alignment apparatus for a 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer, for performing wavelength-independent alignment by outputting light having a wavelength in a region other than a communication region to alignment waveguides positioned at the outer portion of the optical wavelength-division demultiplexer to align a the optical wavelength-division demultiplexer and the optical fiber block.
Accordingly, to achieve the above objectives and others, there is provided a 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer alignment apparatus including a 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer including an input waveguide, N output waveguides and a plurality of alignment waveguides positioned around the input and output waveguides, for demultiplexing signal light and supplying the demultiplexed signal light to the N output waveguides if the signal light has a wavelength in a communication wavelength region, and for supplying the signal light to the alignment waveguides if the signal light has wavelengths outside a communication wavelength region, a single optical fiber block having a single optical fiber to transmit the signal light to the 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer, a multiple optical fiber block having N optical fibers connected to output sides of then waveguides and alignment optical fibers connected to output sides of the alignment waveguides, a measuring unit for measuring the intensity of the light output from
the alignment optical fibers, and a controller for finely controlling the alignment between the single optical fiber block and the alignment waveguides and between the alignment waveguides and the multiple optical fiber block.
The 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer may further include a wavelength-division demultiplexing coupler for supplying the signal light to output waveguides if the wavelength of the input signal light is in a communication wavelength region, and supplying the signal light to alignment waveguides if the wavelengths of the input signal light is outside the communication wavelength region.
To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides an alignment apparatus, comprising: a 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer having an input waveguide, a plurality of N output waveguides, and a plurality of alignment waveguides positioned around said input and output waveguides; when signal light has wavelengths in a predetermined wavelength region, said 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer demultiplexing the signal light and supplying demultiplexed signal light to said N output waveguides; when the signal light has wavelengths not in said predetermined wavelength region, said 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer supplying the signal light to said alignment waveguides; a single optical fiber block having a single optical fiber transmitting the signal light to said 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer; a multiple optical fiber block having a plurality of N optical fibers connected to output sides of said N output waveguides, and having alignment optical fibers connected to output sides of said alignment waveguides; a measuring unit measuring intensity of light output from said plurality of alignment optical fibers; and a controller controlling alignment between said single optical fiber block and said plurality of alignment waveguides, and controlling alignment between said plurality of alignment waveguides and said multiple optical fiber block.
To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides an alignment apparatus, comprising: a 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexing unit demultiplexing signal light into a plurality of N beams according to wavelength when wavelengths of the signal light correspond to a communication wavelength region; a plurality of alignment waveguides being positioned around said 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexing unit, the signal light being output through said plurality of alignment waveguides when wavelengths of the signal light do not correspond to said communication wavelength region; and a wavelength-division demultiplexing coupler supplying the signal light to output waveguides when wavelengths of the signal light do correspond to said communication wavelength region, said wavelength-division demultiplexing coupler supplying the signal light to said plurality of alignment waveguides when wavelengths of the signal light do not correspond to said communication wavelength region.
To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising: a 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer having an input waveguide, a plurality of N output waveguides, and a plurality of alignment waveguides positioned adjacent to said input and output waveguides; and said 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer demultiplexing the signal light and supplying demultiplexed signal light to said N output waveguides when signal light has wavelengths in a predetermined wavelength region, said 1×N optical wavelength-division demultiplexer supplying the signal light to said alignment waveguides when the signal light has wavelengths not in said predetermined wavelength region.
The present invention is more specifically described in the following paragraphs by reference to the drawings attached only by way of example. Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and from the claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5940555 (1999-08-01), Inaba et al.
patent: 6069990 (2000-05-01), Okawa et al.
patent: 6175675 (2001-01-01), Lee et al.
patent: 6192170 (2001

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