Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Particular coupling structure
Reexamination Certificate
2007-08-07
2007-08-07
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2883)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Particular coupling structure
C385S039000, C385S042000, C385S043000, C385S050000
Reexamination Certificate
active
10763326
ABSTRACT:
Broadband optical switches based on adiabatic couplers having a pair of asymmetric waveguides with variable curvature sections include in a 2×2 configuration based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer two such adiabatic couplers, and in a 1×2 or 2×1 configuration an adiabatic coupler and an Y-splitter. Each adiabatic coupler includes two waveguide branches of different but constant widths having curved sections with varying radii, separated over a coupling length by a changing spacing therebetween and blending in an asymmetric intersection area, and two symmetric branches. In the 2×2 switch, the two adiabatic couplers face each other with their respective symmetric branches, and are connected by the two identical arms along a main propagation axis in a mirror image. The utilization of the variable curvature adiabatic couplers in silica MZI switches on a silicon substrate provides switches with an exceptional broadband range (1.2-1.7 μm), very high extinction ratios (>35 dB), low fabrication sensitivity and polarization independent operation. The switches are significantly smaller than known broadband switches, have significantly smaller excess loss, faster switching time and low power consumption.
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Brand Eran
Caspi Shay
Izhaky Nahum
Oaknin David
Font Frank G.
Friedman Mark M.
Lepisto Ryan
Lynx Photonic Networks Inc.
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