Tunable optical fiber gratings device

• US 6,360,042 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2001
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pin Long
• Original Assignee: Pin Long
• Inventors: Long, Pin
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Application Number:
  US09/774,057
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 385/31, 385/32, 385/39, 385/27, 385/28, 385/51, 385/12, 385/13, 359/130
• US Class Current: 385/37
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/022 using mechanical stress, e.g. tuning by compression or elongation, special geometrical shapes such as "dog-bone" or taper G02B6/02204 takes precedence; optical modulation using photo-elastic effect G02F1/0131
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 14/021 Reconfigurable arrangements, e.g. reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers [ROADM] or tunable optical add/drop multiplexers [TOADM]

Abstract

A tunable optical fiber grating device for tuning optical characteristic responses of an optical grating area of an optical fiber includes an elongated beam member defining a neutral plane with a first and a second ends and adapted to receive the fiber therealong. A securing member continuously secures the grating area all along the beam member between its ends and generally parallel to the neutral plane to allow for transmission of a bend of the beam member about the neutral plane to the grating area. A fixed support member has a screw for releasably securing the first end of the beam member within the neutral plane, and a mobile support member has a slotted element to slidably receive the second end of the beam member within the neutral plane. The mobile support member displaces the second end relative to the first end substantially perpendicularly to the neutral plane to bending the beam, thereby stretching or compressing the grating area for tuning the optical characteristic responses of the optical fiber depending on the direction of the bend.

Claims

1. A tunable optical fiber gratings device for tuning optical characteristic responses of a longitudinal optical grating area of an optical fiber, said device comprising an elongated beam member defining a neutral plane with a first and a second ends and adapted to receive said fiber therealong, a securing member for continuously securing said optical grating area all along said beam member between said first and second ends and generally parallel to said neutral plane to allow for transmission of a bend of said beam member about said neutral plane to said optical grating area, a fixed support member having a clamping means for releasably securing said first end of said beam member within said neutral plane, and a mobile support member having a directing means for slidably receiving said second end of said beam member within said neutral plane, said mobile support member displacing said second end relative to said first end substantially perpendicularly to said neutral plane and bending the same, thereby stretching or compressing said grating area of said fiber for tuning said optical characteristic responses of said optical fiber depending on a direction of said bend.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said grating area of said optical fiber being a combination of at least one doped fiber zone and at least one fiber grating zone, said zones being adjacent to each other.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said beam member preferably having a uniform cross-section perpendicular to said neutral plane between said first and second ends.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said beam member having a generally polygonal shape within said neutral plane for providing a non chirped tuning of said fiber.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said beam member having at least one guiding member extending between said first and second ends and adapted for guiding said optical grating area of said fiber therealong.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first end of said beam member having at least one abutment member adjacent to said securing member and said fiber to be in abutting position with said clamping means for preventing said optical grating area and said securing member from being strained by said clamping means.

7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said second end of said beam member having at least one abutment member adjacent to said securing member and said fiber to be in abutting position with said directing means for preventing said optical grating area and said securing member from being strained by said directing means.

8. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamping means having at least one abutment member to be in abutting position with said first end of said beam member adjacent to said securing member for preventing said optical grating area and said securing member from being strained by said clamping means.

9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said directing means having at least one abutment member to be in abutting position with said second end of said beam member adjacent to said securing member for preventing said optical grating area and said securing member from being strained by said directing means.

10. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a driving mechanism connected to said mobile support member for displacing said second end relative to said first end of said beam member substantially perpendicularly to said neutral plane via said directing means mounted on said mobile support member.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said mobile support member including a sliding gauge for measuring displacement of said second end of said beam member relative to said first end.

12. A device as defined in claim 10, further comprising a controller connected to said driving mechanism for controlling said bend of said beam member, thereby controlling of said optical characteristic responses of said grating area of said optical fiber.

13. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said fiber being a first fiber located at a first determined distance from said neutral plane, said beam member being adapted to receive a second longitudinal optical grating area of a second optical fiber therealong, said device further comprising a second securing member for continuously securing said second grating area all along said beam member between said first and second ends and generally parallel to said neutral plane at a second distance from the same.

14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said second fiber being secured on an opposite side of said neutral plane relative to said first fiber.

15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said first and second distances are approximately equal.