Modulated light source

• US 6,917,725 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2003
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AL Cielo Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Chiaro Networks, Ltd.
• Inventors: Shekel, Eyal
• Primary Examiner(s): Juba, Jr., John
• Application Number:
  US10/409,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20040017963A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 385/14, 385/49, 385/92, 385/93, 385/94
• US Class Current: 385/3
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4204 the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208, H01L33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/3136 of interferometric switch type

Abstract

A method of producing a modulated light source including the steps of providing a modulator, fiberlessly coupling a laser diode light source to the modulator and enclosing the modulator and the laser diode light source within a housing together with output optics operative to direct modulated light from the modulator into an optical fiber extending outwardly from the housing.

Claims

1. A method of producing a light source comprising:

providing a first waveguide device, implemented in gallium arsenide;

fiberlessly coupling light from a second waveguide device to said first waveguide device, said second waveguide device being a discrete element which is mechanically mounted in a desired position with respect to said first waveguide device;

enclosing said first waveguide device and said second waveguide device within a housing together with output optics operative to direct light from said first waveguide device into an optical fiber extending outwardly from said housing; and

mounting said second waveguide device and said first waveguide device on parallel surface mountings, said parallel surface mountings including mutually facing surfaces which lie in parallel planes which are perpendicular to an optical axis of a light beam propagating from said second waveguide device towards said first waveguide device,

said fiberlessly coupling comprising;

using at least one external manipulator, manipulating at least one of said first waveguide device and said second waveguide device relative to the other such that the output light beam of said second waveguide device enters said first waveguide device with relatively low light loss;

fixing said first waveguide device and said second waveguide device in desired relative positions independently of the external manipulator; and

disengaging said at least one external manipulator from said light source.

2. A light source production method according to claim 1 and comprising:

butting said second waveguide device against an input to said first waveguide device.

3. A light source production method according to claim 1 and comprising:

coupling light from said second waveguide device to an input to said first waveguide device via a discrete lens.

4. A light source production method according to claim 1 and comprising:

aligning said second waveguide device and said first waveguide device by relative movement thereof in said parallel planes; and

fixing said mutually facing surfaces together in desired alignment.

5. A method of producing a light source comprising:

providing a first waveguide device, implemented in gallium arsenide;

fiberlessly coupling light from a second waveguide device to said first waveguide device, said second waveguide device being a discrete element which is mechanically mounted in a desired position with respect to said first waveguide device;

enclosing said first waveguide device and said second waveguide device within a housing together with output optics operative to direct light from said first waveguide device into an optical fiber extending outwardly from said housing; and

interconnecting an input multi-mode interference coupler and an output multi-mode interference coupler, using first and second waveguides having associated therewith electrodes for the application of voltage thereacross, thereby to vary the phase of light passing therealong,

said fiberlessly coupling comprising;

using at least one external manipulator, manipulating at least one of said first waveguide device and said second waveguide device relative to the other such that the output light beam of said second waveguide device enters said first waveguide device with relatively low light loss;

fixing said first waveguide device and said second waveguide device in desired relative positions independently of the external manipulator; and

disengaging said at least one external manipulator from said light source.

6. A method of producing a light source comprising:

providing a first waveguide device, implemented in gallium arsenide;

fiberlessly coupling light from a second waveguide device to said first waveguide device, said second waveguide device being a discrete element which is mechanically mounted in a desired position with respect to said first waveguide device;

enclosing said first waveguide device and said second waveguide device within a housing together with output optics operative to direct light from said first waveguide device into an optical fiber extending outwardly from said housing; and

interconnecting an input Y-junction splitter and an output Y-junction combiner using first and second waveguides having associated therewith electrodes for the application of voltage thereacross, thereby to vary the phase of light passing therealong,

said fiberlessly coupling comprising;

using at least one external manipulator, manipulating at least one of said first waveguide device and said second waveguide device relative to the other such that the output light beam of said second waveguide device enters said first waveguide device with relatively low light loss;

fixing said first waveguide device and said second waveguide device in desired relative positions independently of the external manipulator; and

disengaging said at least one external manipulator from said light source.