All-fiber optically-controlled optical switch

Details All-fiber optically-controlled optical switch All-fiber optically-controlled optical switch

1998-09-25

2000-06-27

Healy, Brian

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Switch

385 15, 385 30, 385 39, 385 42, 385 49, G02B 626

Patent

active

060816341

ABSTRACT:
The present invention is an optical switch that includes a first optic fiber waveguide, a second optic fiber waveguide, and a third optical waveguide. The three waveguides are in the same plane. The third optical waveguide may be an optic fiber or a slab waveguide. The first and second optic fiber waveguides are close enough to exhibit evanescent wave coupling under non-interference conditions. The second optic fiber waveguide is between the other two waveguides and closer to the third optical waveguide. The first and second optic fiber waveguides have identical propagation constants. An information-bearing optical signal is applied to the first optic fiber waveguide. An optical control signal applied to the third optical waveguide controls its propagation constant and, therefore, controls whether or not switching occurs between the first and second fiber optic waveguides. The optical switch may be made to be normally on or normally off.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3208342 (1965-09-01), Nethercot
patent: 3899235 (1975-08-01), Arnaud et al.
patent: 4012113 (1977-03-01), Kogelnik et al.
patent: 4035058 (1977-07-01), Papuchon
patent: 4453802 (1984-06-01), Bridges et al.
patent: 4679894 (1987-07-01), Pavlath
patent: 4720174 (1988-01-01), Baker
patent: 4721352 (1988-01-01), Sorin et al.
patent: 4842368 (1989-06-01), Darcie et al.
patent: 4991920 (1991-02-01), Peczalski
patent: 5037169 (1991-08-01), Chun
patent: 5491763 (1996-02-01), Van Deventer et al.
patent: 5815309 (1998-09-01), Lawrence et al.
patent: 5862276 (1999-01-01), Karras
patent: 5892857 (1999-04-01), McCallion
patent: 5907647 (1999-05-01), Eggleton et al.
patent: 6026205 (2000-02-01), McCallion et al.
Dietrich Marcuse, Investigation of Coupling Between a Fiber and an Infinite Slab, IEEE, The Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 7, No.1 Jan. 1989, pp. 122-130.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

All-fiber optically-controlled optical switch does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with All-fiber optically-controlled optical switch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and All-fiber optically-controlled optical switch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1791006