Reflecting wedge optical wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer
First Claim
1. An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer, comprising:
- a first optical waveguide operable to receive a first optical signal;
a second optical waveguide; and
an optical coupler operable to couple the first optical signal from the first optical waveguide to the second optical waveguide, the optical coupler comprising;
an optical switching wedge;
a coupling waveguide adapted to transmit light from the optical switching wedge to the second optical waveguide; and
a piezoelectric actuator operable to move the optical switching wedge between a first position, in which the optical switching wedge is optically coupled to the first optical waveguide, and a second position, in which the optical switching wedge is optically uncoupled from the first optical waveguide.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for multiplexing and demultiplexing optical signals. The apparatus includes first and second optical waveguides coupled via an optical coupler. The optical coupler has a coupling waveguide and an optical switching wedge attached to a piezoelectric actuator. In operation, first and second optical signals are received by the first and second optical waveguides, respectively. If the signals are to be combined, the optical switching wedge is moved to a first position where it is optically coupled to the first optical waveguide. The first optical signal is then transmitted, via the coupling waveguide, to the second optical waveguide, where it is combined with the second optical signal. If the signals are not to be combined, the optical switching wedge is moved to a second position where it is optically uncoupled from the first optical waveguide.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer, comprising:
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a first optical waveguide operable to receive a first optical signal; a second optical waveguide; and an optical coupler operable to couple the first optical signal from the first optical waveguide to the second optical waveguide, the optical coupler comprising; an optical switching wedge; a coupling waveguide adapted to transmit light from the optical switching wedge to the second optical waveguide; and a piezoelectric actuator operable to move the optical switching wedge between a first position, in which the optical switching wedge is optically coupled to the first optical waveguide, and a second position, in which the optical switching wedge is optically uncoupled from the first optical waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for selectively combining a first optical signal and a second optical signal in an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer, the method comprising;
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receiving an input optical signal in a first optical waveguide, the input optical signal containing the first optical signal; receiving the second optical signal in a second optical waveguide; if the signals are to be combined; moving an optical switching wedge to a first position where it is optically coupled to the first optical signal in the first optical waveguide and transmits the first optical signal to a coupling waveguide; transmitting the first optical signal along the coupling waveguide to the second optical waveguide; and combining the first optical signal with the second optical signal; and if the signals are not to be combined; moving the optical switching wedge to a second position where it is optically uncoupled from the first optical waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification