Acousto-optic tunable filter having improved wave-damping capability
First Claim
1. An acousto-optic tunable filter comprising:
- an optical fiber having an interaction length;
a wave generator coupled to the optical fiber and generating an acoustic wave in the optical fiber; and
a damper located on the optical fiber with the interaction length between the wave generator and the damper, the damper having a planar proximal surface relative to the wave generator, the proximal surface continuously slanted relative to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to an acousto-optical tunable filter generally of the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,462. More specifically, the invention relates to a filter and its construction, the filter including a support, first and second mounts at spaced locations on the support, an optical fiber having first and second mounted portions secured to the first and second mounts respectively and a filtering section between the first and second mounted portions, a signal generator operable to generate a periodic signal, and an electro-acoustic transducer having a terminal connected to the signal generator and an actuating portion, the electric signal causing vibration of the actuating portion, and the actuating portion being connected to the filtering section so that the vibration generates a transverse wave traveling along the filtering section. The filter has an improved damper to more effectively dampen waves traveling along the filtering section.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An acousto-optic tunable filter comprising:
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an optical fiber having an interaction length;
a wave generator coupled to the optical fiber and generating an acoustic wave in the optical fiber; and
a damper located on the optical fiber with the interaction length between the wave generator and the damper, the damper having a planar proximal surface relative to the wave generator, the proximal surface continuously slanted relative to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An acousto-optic filter comprising:
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an optical fiber having an interaction length;
a wave generator coupled to the fiber and generating an acoustic wave in the optical fiber; and
one or more dampers located on the optical fiber with the interaction length between the wave generator and the one or more dampers, such that the one or more dampers define a plurality of planar surfaces, the planar surface continuously slanted relative to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber such that back reflections of the acoustic wave at least partially canceling out forward propagation of the acoustic wave. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of filtering light comprising:
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transmitting a light through an optical fiber;
vibrating a first end of an interaction length of the fiber to generate an acoustic wave traveling through the interaction length; and
damping the transverse wave with a damper at a second, opposing end of the interaction length, the damper having a first planar surface continuously slanted relative to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.
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21. A method of filtering light comprising:
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transmitting a light through an optical fiber;
vibrating a first end of an interaction length of the optical fiber to generate an acoustic wave traveling through the interaction length;
reflecting a first portion of the acoustic wave at a first location at a second, opposing end of the interaction length, back towards the first end; and
reflecting a second portion of the acoustic wave at a second location, on a side of a first surface opposing the first end, back toward the first end, the portions of the acoustic wave reflected from the first and second locations at least partially canceling one another out.
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Specification