Optical wavelength tuning method and fabry-perot type optical tuner
First Claim
1. Optical wavelength tuning method, wherein an optical tuning of the Fabry-Perot type optical cavity to the desired wavelength of the optical signals is made to obtain the desired optical output by controlling the distance between opposing reflector plates of said Fabry-Perot type optical cavity with a distance changing unit and concurrently by controlling the refractive index of the liquid crystal material having a refractive index changeable by the applied electric field with an electric field application unit and filled in between said reflector plates.
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Abstract
There is provided a small and lightweight Fabry-Perot type optical tuner. By changing the distance between the reflector plates 3A and 3B with an applied voltage across said reflector plates 3A and 3B, wherein said reflector plates 3A, 3B are supported with coil springs 8A, 8B, and at the same time by changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal material 9, i.e. by utilizing both changes of distance d and refractive index n, an optical tuning can be obtained over a wide range of optical wavelength.
10 Citations
7 Claims
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1. Optical wavelength tuning method, wherein an optical tuning of the Fabry-Perot type optical cavity to the desired wavelength of the optical signals is made to obtain the desired optical output by controlling the distance between opposing reflector plates of said Fabry-Perot type optical cavity with a distance changing unit and concurrently by controlling the refractive index of the liquid crystal material having a refractive index changeable by the applied electric field with an electric field application unit and filled in between said reflector plates.
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2. A Fabry-Perot type optical tuner, comprising:
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Fabry-Perot type optical cavity wherein a tuned wavelength changes according to the distance between opposing reflector plates;
a distance changing unit for changing said distance;
liquid crystal material filled in between said opposing reflector plates having a refractive index changeable by the applied electric field to said liquid crystal material; and
an electric field applying unit for changing the strength of an electric field applied to said liquid crystal material. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification