Long-period grating switches and devices using them

Details Long-period grating switches and devices using them Long-period grating switches and devices using them

1997-02-18

1999-05-25

Lee, John D.

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Particular coupling function

385 37, 385122, G02B 634

Patent

active

059076470

ABSTRACT:
In accordance with the invention, an optical switch employs a long-period grating for switching light between alternative optical paths. In essence, the device comprises a variable intensity light source, a length of optical waveguide dimensioned for co-propagating light in two distinguishable modes, and a long-period grating in the waveguide for coupling between the two modes. The waveguide is nonlinear so that the effective refractive index is a function of intensity. As a consequence the coupling produced by the grating is a function of intensity. Thus different levels of light intensity can switch between the separate modes. Advantageously a mode separator is provided for directing light in the two modes onto respectively different optical output paths. A variety of two-mode switches and optical limiters are described, as well as an optical system using the switch.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4687286 (1987-08-01), Winful
patent: 4904045 (1990-02-01), Alferness et al.
patent: 5430817 (1995-07-01), Vengsarkar
patent: 5444803 (1995-08-01), Kim et al.
patent: 5455178 (1995-10-01), Fattinger
patent: 5479260 (1995-12-01), Fattinger
patent: 5641956 (1997-06-01), Vengsarkar et al.

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