Systems and methods for altering the propagation of optical signals within optical media

• US 6,791,732 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Simon, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US10/176,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 385/8, 385/40, 385/42, 385/129, 385/14, 385/15, 385/9, 343/909, 343/772, 343/786, 343/787, 250/214.1, 359/237, 359/240, 359/241, 359/298, 359/321, 359/322, 359/326, 359/332, 359/344, 359/361, 359/238
• US Class Current: 359/237
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1225 comprising photonic band-gap structures or photonic lattices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0128 based on electro-mechanical, magneto-mechanical, elasto-optic effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/31 Digital deflection, i.e. optical switchingG02F1/33 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/32 Photonic crystals

Abstract

Optical modulators are provided. A representative optical modulator includes an optical medium that is adapted to propagate optical signals. An array of lattice sites are arranged in the optical medium, with at least some of the lattice sites exhibiting lower refractive indexes than the refractive index of the optical medium. Preferably, a first of the lattice sites incorporates a first optical component that is moveable relative to the optical medium. By moving the first optical component relative to the optical medium, a propagation characteristic of the optical medium can be altered. Optical systems, methods and other optical modulators also are provided.

Claims

1. An optical system for propagating optical signals, said optical system comprising:

an optical modulator having an optical medium and an array of lattice sites, the optical medium being operative to propagate optical signals, the array of lattice sites being located in the optical medium, at least some of the lattice sites exhibiting refractive indexes different than the refractive index of the optical medium, a first of the lattice sites including a first optical component moveable relative to the optical medium such that moving the first optical component relative to the optical medium alters propagation of optical signals through the optical medium.

2. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the array of lattice sites defines a first optical path through at least a portion of the optical medium;

wherein the first optical component is moveable between a first position and a second position; and

wherein, in the first position, the first optical component prevents at least a portion of the optical signals from propagating along an entirety of the first optical path.

3. The optical system of claim 2, wherein, in the first position, the first optical component filters the optical signals such that at least a select frequency of light of the optical signals is prevented from propagating along the entirety of the first optical path.

4. The optical system of claim 2, wherein the array of lattice sites defines a second optical path through at least a portion of the optical medium;

and

wherein, in the first position, the first optical component redirects at least said portion of the optical signals to propagate along the second optical path.

5. The optical system of claim 2, wherein, in the second position, the first optical component enables the optical signals to propagate along the entirety of the first optical path.

6. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the first optical component varies with respect to a direction of movement of the first optical component relative to the optical medium.

7. The optical system of claim 6, wherein the first optical component is moveable between a first position and a second position;

and

wherein the first optical component includes at least a first portion exhibiting a first refractive index and a second portion exhibiting a second refractive index different than the first refractive index, the first portion being sized and shaped such that, when the first optical component is moved to the first position, the second refractive index does not influence propagation of optical signals through the optical medium.

8. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising:

an actuator operatively arranged to move the first optical component relative to the optical medium.

9. The modulator recited in claim 1, wherein the optical medium is substantially planar in shape.

10. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first optical transmission media arranged to communicate optical signals to the optical modulator.

11. The optical system of claim 10, further comprising:

a second optical transmission media arranged to receive optical signals from the optical modulator.

12. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first optical component defines an axis;

and

wherein propagation of optical signals through the optical medium is influenced by translating the first optical component along the axis.

13. A method for modulating optical signals, said method comprising:

providing an optical medium operative to propagate optical signals, the optical medium having an array of lattice sites arranged therein, at least some of the lattice sites exhibiting lower refractive indexes than the refractive index of the optical medium, a first of the lattice sites including a first optical component operative to influence propagation of optical signals through the optical medium; and

moving the first optical component and the optical medium relative to each other to alter the propagation of the optical signals through the optical medium.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein moving the first optical component and the optical medium includes moving the first optical component.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein moving the first optical component and the optical medium includes moving the optical medium.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving an optical signal at the optical medium.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

selectively redirecting the optical signal received.