Compact double-pass wavelength multiplexer-demultiplexer having an increased number of channels
First Claim
1. An optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers each terminating in a fiber end for radiating and receiving associated light beams;
a fiber mounting assembly configured to support said optical fibers so that said fiber ends terminate in substantially the same plane, said mounting assembly also being configured to position said fiber ends in at least one array including a plurality of rows of said fiber ends, each fiber end of an associated one of said rows for radiating and receiving beams within an associated predetermined wavelength band;
reflecting means for reflecting beams radiating from said fiber ends;
lens means for collimating and focusing beams propagating between said fiber ends and said reflecting means, said lens means having a focal length associated therewith; and
transmissive diffraction means for diffracting beams propagating between said lens means and said reflecting means;
said reflecting means including a plurality of reflective surfaces each being associated with one of said rows of fiber ends, and being reflective to the predetermined wavelength band associated with said associated row, and being oriented to reflect beams to and from fiber ends of said associated row via said diffraction means and said lens means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device includes: a plurality of optical fibers each terminating in a fiber end for radiating and receiving corresponding light beams; a fiber mounting assembly configured to support the optical fibers so that the fiber ends terminate in substantially the same plane, the mounting assembly also being configured to position the fibers in a regular array of N rows and M columns; reflecting means for reflecting beams radiating from the fiber ends; lens means for collimating and focusing beams propagating between the fiber ends and the reflecting means, the lens means having a focal length associated therewith; and diffraction means for diffracting beams propagating between the lens means and the reflecting means. The reflecting means includes a plurality of N reflective elements, each of the N reflective elements being associated with a corresponding one of the N rows. The array is substantially defined by a row axis that is substantially parallel to each of the rows and a column axis that is substantially parallel to each of the columns. Each of the reflective surfaces forms a corresponding first angle of rotation about a first line parallel to the row axis, and a corresponding second angle of rotation about a second line parallel to the column axis. The first angle of rotation of a corresponding one of the reflective surfaces is proportional to a distance measured between the center fiber and the row associated with corresponding reflective surface.
184 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device comprising:
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a plurality of optical fibers each terminating in a fiber end for radiating and receiving associated light beams; a fiber mounting assembly configured to support said optical fibers so that said fiber ends terminate in substantially the same plane, said mounting assembly also being configured to position said fiber ends in at least one array including a plurality of rows of said fiber ends, each fiber end of an associated one of said rows for radiating and receiving beams within an associated predetermined wavelength band; reflecting means for reflecting beams radiating from said fiber ends; lens means for collimating and focusing beams propagating between said fiber ends and said reflecting means, said lens means having a focal length associated therewith; and transmissive diffraction means for diffracting beams propagating between said lens means and said reflecting means; said reflecting means including a plurality of reflective surfaces each being associated with one of said rows of fiber ends, and being reflective to the predetermined wavelength band associated with said associated row, and being oriented to reflect beams to and from fiber ends of said associated row via said diffraction means and said lens means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device comprising:
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a plurality of optical fibers each terminating in a fiber end for radiating and receiving corresponding light beams; a fiber mounting assembly configured to support said optical fibers so that said fiber ends terminate in substantially the same plane, said mounting assembly also being configured to position said fiber ends in a regular array of N rows and M columns, each fiber end of an associated one of said rows for radiating and receiving beams within an associated predetermined wavelength band; reflecting means for reflecting beams radiating from said fiber ends; lens means for collimating and focusing beams propagating between said fiber ends and said reflecting means, said lens means having a focal length associated therewith; and transmissive diffraction means for diffracting beams propagating between said lens means and said reflecting means; said reflecting means including a plurality of reflective surfaces each being associated with one of said rows of fiber ends, and being reflective to the predetermined wavelength band associated with said associated row, and being substantially transparent to wavelengths outside of said predetermined wavelength band, and being oriented to reflect beams to and from fiber ends of said associated row via said diffraction means and said lens means. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification