Optical devices having a periodical current restraint layer and optical communication systems using the optical device
First Claim
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1. An optical device comprising:
- a first waveguide for allowing a light wave to propagate therein;
a second waveguide;
transfer rate control means for controlling a power transfer rate of the light wave between said first waveguide and said second waveguide, the light-wave power transfer rate having a value of zero when said transfer rate control means is in an inoperative state, wherein said transfer rate control means comprises a refractive index modulating layer including a periodical current restraint layer; and
electric means for electrically controlling said transfer rate control means by imparting electric energy to said transfer rate control means, said transfer rate control means falling into the inoperative state when said electric means imparts no electric energy to said transfer rate control means.
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Abstract
An optical device for performing a light power transfer between two waveguides that includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, a transfer rate control element for controlling a light power transfer rate between the first and second waveguides and an electric element for electrically controlling the transfer rate control element by imparting electric energy to the transfer rate control element. The transfer rate control element sets the light power transfer rate to zero when the transfer rate control element is in an inoperative state. The transfer rate control element falls into the inoperative state when the electric element imparts no electric energy to the transfer rate control element.
46 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An optical device comprising:
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a first waveguide for allowing a light wave to propagate therein; a second waveguide; transfer rate control means for controlling a power transfer rate of the light wave between said first waveguide and said second waveguide, the light-wave power transfer rate having a value of zero when said transfer rate control means is in an inoperative state, wherein said transfer rate control means comprises a refractive index modulating layer including a periodical current restraint layer; and electric means for electrically controlling said transfer rate control means by imparting electric energy to said transfer rate control means, said transfer rate control means falling into the inoperative state when said electric means imparts no electric energy to said transfer rate control means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35)
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27. An optical communication network comprising:
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a plurality of terminals; a light transmission line for connecting said terminals to each other; and an optical device located on said light transmission line, said optical device comprising; a first waveguide for allowing a light wave to propagate therein; a second waveguide; transfer rate control means for controlling a power transfer rate of the light wave between said first waveguide and said second waveguide, the light-wave power transfer rate having a value of zero when said transfer rate control means is in an inoperative state, wherein said transfer rate control means comprises a refractive index modulating layer including a periodical current restraint layer; and electric means for electrically controlling said transfer rate control means by imparting electric energy to said transfer rate control means, said transfer rate control means falling into the inoperative state when said electric means imparts no electric energy to said transfer rate control means.
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28. An optical communication network comprising:
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a plurality of terminals; a light transmission line for connecting said terminals to each other; and an optical device disposed in each of said terminals, said optical device comprising; a first waveguide for allowing a light wave to propagate therein; a second waveguide; transfer rate control means for controlling a power transfer rate of the light wave between said first waveguide and said second waveguide, the light-wave power transfer rate having a value of zero when said transfer rate control means is in an inoperative state, wherein said transfer rate control means comprises a refractive index modulating layer including a periodical current restraint layer; and electric means for electrically controlling said transfer rate control means by imparting electric energy to said transfer rate control means, said transfer rate control means falling into the inoperative state when said electric means imparts no electric energy to said transfer rate control means.
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29. An optical device comprising:
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a semiconductor substrate; a first cladding layer formed on said semiconductor substrate, said first cladding layer having a first conduction type; a first core layer formed on said first cladding layer, said first core layer having the first conduction type; a second cladding layer formed on said first core layer, said second cladding layer having the first conduction type; a second core layer formed on said second cladding layer; a third cladding layer formed on said second core layer, said third cladding layer having a second conduction type; a periodical current restraint layer, said periodical current restraint layer being formed in at least one of said second cladding layer and said third cladding layer and in at least one of a plurality of regions divided along a light propagation direction of said device; and electric means for electrically controlling said periodical current restraint layer by imparting electric energy to said periodical current restraint layer. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. An optical device comprising:
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a semiconductor substrate; a first cladding layer formed on said semiconductor substrate, said first cladding layer having a first conduction type; a first core layer formed on said first cladding layer; a second cladding layer formed on said first core layer, said second cladding layer having a second conduction type; a second core layer formed on said second cladding layer; a third cladding layer formed on said second core layer, said third cladding layer having the first conduction type; first means comprising a periodical current restraint layer for periodically modulating a refractive index of a cladding layer around said first means in a light propagation direction of said device, said first means being formed in at least one of said second cladding layer and said third cladding layer and at least one of a plurality of regions divided along the light propagation direction of said device; second means for amplifying a light wave propagated through said device, said second means being formed in at least one of the plurality of regions; and electric means for electrically controlling said first means and said second means by imparting electric energy to said first and second means. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification