Tunable spectral filter
First Claim
1. A tunable spectral filter comprising:
- a reflective diffraction grating for spatially separating a multiple wavelength input signal;
a beam steerer for laterally shifting the spatially separated multiple wavelength input signal;
said beam steerer including a mirror, said mirror being positioned such that the spatially seperated multiple wavelength input signal is reflected by the mirror, diffracted by the reflective grating and then reflected by the mirror again; and
a fixed optical element, positioned in the demultiplexed image plane, for selectively reflecting, deflecting, transmitting, and absorbing the laterally shifted, spatially separated wavelength input signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical spectral filtering device and associated method for selectively directing a portion of a wavelength multiplexed input signal, entering through an optical fiber, into one or more output signals provided to one or more optical fibers and/or electronic outputs. The optical filtering is accomplished using free-space diffractive wavelength demultiplexing optics combined with a fixed (permanent) patterned structure located in the spectrally dispersed image plane. The structure can block or direct a selected spectral portion of the optical signal to one or more separate outputs, such as an optical fiber or power detector. A single active element in the optical path is used to spatially shift, or steer, the entire input spectrum at the dispersed spectral image plane, to control the portion of the input spectrum illuminating specific features on the permanent patterned structure.
39 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A tunable spectral filter comprising:
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a reflective diffraction grating for spatially separating a multiple wavelength input signal;
a beam steerer for laterally shifting the spatially separated multiple wavelength input signal;
said beam steerer including a mirror, said mirror being positioned such that the spatially seperated multiple wavelength input signal is reflected by the mirror, diffracted by the reflective grating and then reflected by the mirror again; and
a fixed optical element, positioned in the demultiplexed image plane, for selectively reflecting, deflecting, transmitting, and absorbing the laterally shifted, spatially separated wavelength input signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A tunable spectral filter comprising:
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a reflective diffraction grating for spatially separating a multiple wavelength input signal;
a beam steerer, for laterally shifting the spatially separated multiple wavelength input signal in a direction perpendicular to the direction of diffraction; and
a fixed optical element, positioned in the demultiplexed image plane, for selectively reflecting, deflecting, transmitting, and absorbing the laterally shifted, spatially separated wavelength input signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A tunable spectral filter comprising:
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a MEMS selectively tiltable reflective diffraction grating for spatially separating a multiple wavelength input signal and laterally shifting the spatially separated multiple wavelength input signal;
a beam steerer for laterally shifting the spatially separated multiple wavelength input signal; and
a fixed optical element, positioned in the demultiplexed image plane, for selectively reflecting, deflecting, transmitting, and absorbing the laterally shifted, spatially separated wavelength input signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification