Optical: systems and elements – Polarization without modulation – By relatively adjustable superimposed or in series polarizers
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-12-25
Schuberg, Darren (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Polarization without modulation
By relatively adjustable superimposed or in series polarizers
C359S484010, C359S199200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06333816
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to optical devices. More particularly, the invention relates to an optical device that is capable of operating as one or more interleaver/deinterleavers and/or as one or more filters, based at least in part on port configuration, by providing multiple layers of optical paths.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As telecommunications usage increases as a result of, for example, increased Internet usage, increased types of communications and population growth, telecommunications providers are required to provide greater voice- and data-carrying capacity. In order to reduce cost and the amount of time required to provide the increased capacity wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) have been developed, which provide increased capacity without requiring new fiber optic cables.
WDM and DWDM technologies combine multiple optical signals into a single fiber by transporting different signals on different optical wavelengths or channels. Interleaving and deinterleaving of optical channels is typically accomplished with thin film optical filters. However, multiple layers of film are required to interleave and deinterleave multiple channels, which increases the cost and complexity of a component. Another disadvantage of multiple layers of thin film for filtering is that the thin films break down over time, especially when operating under high power conditions.
In addition to requiring interleavers and/or deinterleavers, filters arc often required to filter optical signals at various locations within a network. As channel spacing becomes smaller, the transmission capacity of the network increases and the passbands of the interleaver/deinterleavers and filters decrease. Because interleavers, deinterleavers and filters are common optical network components, it is desirable to have an optical device that is capable of operating as an interleaver, a deinterleaver, a filter or some combination of interleaver, deinterleaver and filter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus capable of operating as an interleaver, a deinterleaver, a filter, or some combination thereof is described. The apparatus includes a birefringent element, a ports oriented on at least two decks, reflective elements to reflect optical signals through the birefringent element, and half wave plates positioned between one or more of the ports and the birefringent element and between one or more of the reflective elements and the birefringent element. When the apparatus is in a first configuration, the apparatus operates as at least one filter and when the apparatus is in a second configuration, the apparatus operates as at least one interleaver/deinterleaver.
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Chang Kok-Wai
Chen Jye-Hong
Mao Hong-Wei
Tai Kuochou
Yin Yong
Greene Kevin E.
JDS Uniphase Corporation
Lacasse Randy W.
Lacasse & Associates
Schuberg Darren
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