Optical device having multiple wavelength dependent optical paths
First Claim
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1. An optical system comprising(a) a wavelength dependent multipath optical transmission device having at least first and second optical paths therethrough, including;
- (1) first and second optically transparent members each having an optical axis, a substantially square cross section and first and second ends;
(2) a dichroic layer positioned between said second ends of said first and second members such that said optical axes of said first and second members are positioned end to end and substantially parallel with respect to each other, with said dichroic layer being positioned at an angle of substantially forty-five degrees with respect to said optical axes of said first and second optically transparent members;
(3) a third optically transparent member having an optical axis, having first and second ends and a substantially square cross section;
(4) means for affixing said third optically transparent member to said first optically transparent member such that the optical axis of said third transparent member intersects the optical axis of said first optically transparent member with the point of intersection and said second end of said first optically transparent member substantially coinciding; and
(5) first, second, third and fourth anti-reflective layers respectively affixed to said first ends of said first, second and third optically transparent members and to the longest edge of said second optically transparent member to reduce reflections which may occur at the edge surface of said second optically transparent member as a result of partial reflection at said dichroic layer;
(b) an optical fiber coupled to receive optical energy from and couple optical energy to said first optically transparent member;
(c) transmitting means for generating an optical beam and coupling said optical beam to said optical fiber via one of said wavelength dependent paths; and
(d) receiving means coupled to receive optical energy from said optical fiber via a second one of said wavelength dependent optical paths.
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Abstract
An optical system providing multiple wavelength dependent optical paths and using graded index of refraction optical elements is disclosed. The dimensions of the graded index of refraction optical elements are selected such that each optical path is one focusing length. Dichroic elements are utilized to differentiate between the optical paths on a wavelength basis.
38 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An optical system comprising
(a) a wavelength dependent multipath optical transmission device having at least first and second optical paths therethrough, including; -
(1) first and second optically transparent members each having an optical axis, a substantially square cross section and first and second ends; (2) a dichroic layer positioned between said second ends of said first and second members such that said optical axes of said first and second members are positioned end to end and substantially parallel with respect to each other, with said dichroic layer being positioned at an angle of substantially forty-five degrees with respect to said optical axes of said first and second optically transparent members; (3) a third optically transparent member having an optical axis, having first and second ends and a substantially square cross section; (4) means for affixing said third optically transparent member to said first optically transparent member such that the optical axis of said third transparent member intersects the optical axis of said first optically transparent member with the point of intersection and said second end of said first optically transparent member substantially coinciding; and (5) first, second, third and fourth anti-reflective layers respectively affixed to said first ends of said first, second and third optically transparent members and to the longest edge of said second optically transparent member to reduce reflections which may occur at the edge surface of said second optically transparent member as a result of partial reflection at said dichroic layer; (b) an optical fiber coupled to receive optical energy from and couple optical energy to said first optically transparent member; (c) transmitting means for generating an optical beam and coupling said optical beam to said optical fiber via one of said wavelength dependent paths; and (d) receiving means coupled to receive optical energy from said optical fiber via a second one of said wavelength dependent optical paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An optical transmission device comprising:
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(a) first and second optically transparent members of substantially rectangular cross section each having an optical axis and a graded index of refraction, each having a first end substantially flat and perpendicular to said optical axis and a second substantially flat end inclined to said optical axis, said first and second ends being coextensive with the cross section of said first and second optically transparent members; (b) a dichroic layer positioned between and affixed to said second ends of said first and second members such that said optical axes of said first and second members are positioned end-to-end and substantially parallel with respect to each other with the distance between said first ends of said first and second optically transparent members being one focusing length; (c) a third optically transparent member of substantially rectangular cross section having an optical axis and first and second substantially flat ends; (d) means for affixing said first substantially flat end of said third optically transparent member to said first optically transparent member such that said optical axis of said third member intersects said optical axis of said first optical member, the distance between said first end of said first optically transparent member and said second substantially flat end of said third optically transparent member being one focusing length; and (e) first, second, third and fourth anti-reflection coatings respectively affixed to said first end of said first optically transparent member, to said first end of said second optically transparent member and to said second end of said third optically transparent member and to said second optical member at a location opposite said third optically transparent member selected to reduce internal reflections due to partial reflections of said dichroic layer.
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7. An optical transmission device comprising:
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(a) first and second optically transparent members each having an optical axis, a substantially square cross section and first and second ends; (b) a dichroic layer positioned between said second ends of said first and second members such that said optical axes of said first and second members are positioned end to end and substantially parallel with respect to each other, with said dichroic layer being positioned at an angle of substantially forty-five degrees with respect to said optical axes of said first and second optically transparent members; (c) a third optically transparent member having an optical axis, having first and second ends and a substantially square cross section; (d) means for affixing said third optically transparent member to said first optically transparent member such that the optical axis of said third transparent member intersects the optical axis of said first optically transparent member with the point of intersection and said second end of said first optically transparent member substantially coinciding; and (e) first, second, third and fourth anti-reflective layers respectively affixed to said first ends of said first, second and third optically transparent members and to the longest edge of said second optically transparent member to reduce reflections which may occur at the edge surface of said second optically transparent member as a result of partial reflection at said dichroic layer.
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Specification