Directional coupler and method using polymer material

Details Directional coupler and method using polymer material Directional coupler and method using polymer material

1998-10-05

2001-10-30

Kim, Ellen E. (Department: 2874)

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Particular coupling structure

C385S016000, C385S050000, C385S051000, C385S040000, C385S041000, C385S132000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06310999

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of optical waveguide technology and, more particularly, to the field of optical switches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Current communications networks throughout the world have embraced the use of optical fiber waveguide technology to provide a conduit of transmission components for voice, video, and data signals. Optical networks offer far greater bandwidth and reliability than do conventional electronic networks. As a consequence, current research efforts have been directed to expanding the capabilities of optical waveguide technology at reduced cost to aid in the acceleration of the conversion of the present electrical communications networks to optical communications networks.
Optical communications networks contain many different components. These include, but are not limited to, optical fiber cable, switches, attenuators, couplers, and many more such devices. Typically, these devices are comprised of a core surrounded by a cladding material. Both the materials used for the core and the cladding include silica or doped silica as well as many other similar materials. These materials are employed because they have a desirable index of refraction and as well as other properties which facilitate their use.
Even though current materials used in constructing the core and the cladding have many beneficial properties, it can be desirable to manipulate the properties of such materials to control the direction of the propagation of laser radiation through a network of waveguides. Specifically, it is often desirable to switch the propagation of a light wave from one waveguide to another. Consequently, there is a need for optical structures that facilitate the switching of optical signals between optical waveguides.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention entails the use of polymer materials in optical switching. In one embodiment, first and second waveguide cores are formed on a substrate parallel to and in close proximity to each other in a transfer region for a specified length. The waveguide cores are surrounded by a polymer cladding which optically couples the first and second waveguide cores in the transfer region. The degree of optical coupling between the first and second waveguide cores in the transfer region is determined by the index of refraction of the polymer material. The index of refraction of the polymer material varies with the temperature of the polymer material. The transfer of an optical signal from one of the first and second waveguides into the opposite waveguide is accomplished by controlling the temperature of the polymer material, thereby controlling the index of refraction.
In another embodiment, the present invention may also be viewed as an optical switching method which begins with the step of positioning a first waveguide core to a second waveguide core in a transfer region where the first and second waveguide cores are in parallel for an identifiable length in the transfer region. Next, the first and second waveguide cores are optically coupled in the transfer region with a polymer cladding material which has an index of refraction which changes with the temperature of the polymer cladding. Finally, the optical coupling between the first and second waveguide cores in the transfer region is controlled by adjusting the temperature of the polymer cladding material, thereby adjusting the index of refraction of the polymer material.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5016958 (1991-05-01), Booth
patent: 5857039 (2000-09-01), Bosc et al.
patent: 5862276 (1999-01-01), Karras
patent: 6002823 (1999-12-01), Chandross et al.
patent: 6122416 (2000-09-01), Ooba et al.

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