Variable optical power limiter
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material, an optical beam to be directed through the optical waveguide, the optical beam to generate free carriers in the optical waveguide via two-photon absorption in response to an input power level of the optical beam; and
a diode structure disposed in the optical waveguide, the diode structure coupled to be biased to control free carrier lifetimes of the free carriers in the optical waveguide to limit an output power of the optical beam to a clamped output power level in response to the bias of the diode structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variable optical power limiter is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes an optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material. An optical beam is to be directed through the optical waveguide. The optical beam is to generate free carriers in the optical waveguide via two-photon absorption in response to an input power level of the optical beam. A diode structure is disposed in the optical waveguide. The diode structure is coupled to be biased to control free carrier lifetimes of the free carriers in the optical waveguide to set an output power of the optical beam to a clamped output power level in response to the bias of the diode structure.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material, an optical beam to be directed through the optical waveguide, the optical beam to generate free carriers in the optical waveguide via two-photon absorption in response to an input power level of the optical beam; and
a diode structure disposed in the optical waveguide, the diode structure coupled to be biased to control free carrier lifetimes of the free carriers in the optical waveguide to limit an output power of the optical beam to a clamped output power level in response to the bias of the diode structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10-16. -16. (canceled)
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17. A system, comprising:
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optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material, an optical beam to be directed through the optical waveguide, the optical beam to generate free carriers in the optical waveguide via two-photon absorption in response to an input power level of the optical beam;
a diode structure disposed in the optical waveguide, the diode structure coupled to be biased to control free carrier lifetimes of the free carriers in the optical waveguide to limit an output power of the optical beam to a clamped output power level in response to the bias of the diode structure;
an optical fiber optically coupled to receive the optical beam from the optical waveguide; and
an optical receiver optically coupled to receive the optical beam from the optical waveguide through the optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification