Optical waveguides – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-30
2001-11-27
Healy, Brian (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Miscellaneous
C385S001000, C385S014000, C385S024000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324333
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus for testing an optical circuit.
More particularly, the invention relates to a light source for testing an optical circuit. Light is used to test integrated optic devices.
An integrated optic chip (IOC) is made of an electro-optic material whose index of refraction increases or decreases depending on the direction of electric field applied to it. IOC's are analogous to integrated circuits (IC's) utilized in semiconductor technology. The signal processing in an IC is totally electric whereas in an IOC it is both optical and electrical. The term “integrated” in “integrated optic chip” implies that the chip has both electrical and optical parts. One or more external electrical signal(s) is applied to one or more electrodes formed on an IOC and the electrical signals change the index of refraction of one or more waveguides adjacent to the electrodes. Changing the index of refraction of a waveguide produces a concomitant change in the intensity and/or phase of light passing through the waveguide. An IOC device is a device which includes one or more IOCs.
During the testing of multiple IOC devices, it is common practice to provide a separate laser light source for each IOC device. This procedure is labor intensive, is costly, and can also make it difficult to readily determine when a particular laser is not operating properly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for providing a source of light to test an IOC device or other optical circuit.
A further object of the instant invention is to provide a light source of the type described which is relatively inexpensive and which enables variations in the physical properties of the light source to be more readily identified during the testing of an IOC device or other optical circuit.
These and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawing, which depicts a light source constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention.
Briefly, in accordance with my invention, I provide improved apparatus for directing light into a plurality of optical circuits. The apparatus includes a system for producing broadband light; apparatus for splitting the broadband light into a plurality of beams each comprised of equivalent wavelengths of light; and, apparatus for directing each of the plurality of beams into a different one of the optical circuits.
In accordance with another embodiment of my invention, I provide an improved method for directing light into a plurality of optical circuits. The improved method includes the steps of providing a source of broadband light; splitting light from the source into a plurality of light beams each comprised of equivalent wavelengths of light; and, directing each of the plurality of light beams into a different one of said optical circuits.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4262198 (1981-04-01), Gupta et al.
patent: 5278923 (1994-01-01), Nazarathy et al.
patent: 5623565 (1997-04-01), Blair et al.
Healy Brian
Nissle P.C. Tod R.
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