Integrated bi-directional dual axial gradient refractive index/diffraction grating wavelength division multiplexer
First Claim
1. An integrated axial gradient refractive index/diffraction grating wavelength division device including:
- (a) means for accepting at least one optical beam containing at least one wavelength from an optical source, said means including a planar front surface onto which said at least one optical beam is incident;
(b) a first coupler subsystem comprising (1) a first axial gradient refractive index collimating lens operatively associated with said planar front surface, and (2) a first homogeneous index boot lens affixed to said first axial gradient refractive index collimating lens and having a planar exit surface from which said at least one optical beam exits;
(c) a diffraction grating formed at said planar exit surface of said first coupler subsystem for combining a plurality of spatially separated diffracted wavelengths from said at least one optical beam into at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam;
(d) a second coupler subsystem comprising (1) a second homogeneous index boot lens having a planar front surface onto which said at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam is incident, (2) a second axial gradient refractive index collimating lens affixed to said second homogeneous index boot lens, and (3) a planar back surface from which said at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam exits, said planar back surface being operatively associated with said second axial gradient refractive index collimating lens; and
(e) means for outputting said at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam to an optical receiver, said means including said planar back surface.
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Abstract
A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer is provided that integrates axial gradient refractive index elements with a diffraction grating to provide efficient coupling from a plurality of input optical sources (each delivering a single wavelength to the device) which are multiplexed to a single polychromatic beam for output to a single output optical source. The device comprises: (a) means for accepting optical input from at least one optical source, the means including a planar surface; (b) a first coupler element comprising (1) a first axial gradient refractive index collimating lens having a planar entrance surface onto which the optical input is incident and (2) a first homogeneous index boot lens affixed to the first collimating lens and having a planar exit surface from which optical light exits; (c) a diffraction grating formed on the planar exit surface which combines a plurality of angularly separated diffracted wavelengths from the optical light; (d) a reflecting element for reflecting the plurality of diffracted wavelengths; (e) a second coupler element comprising (1) a second homogeneous index boot lens having a planar entrance surface onto which said plurality of diffracted wavelengths is incident and (2) a second axial gradient refractive index collimating lens affixed to the second homogeneous index boot lens; and (f) means for outputting at least one multiplexed, polychromatic output beam to an optical receiver, the means including the planar back surface. The device may be operated in either the forward or the reverse direction.
121 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An integrated axial gradient refractive index/diffraction grating wavelength division device including:
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(a) means for accepting at least one optical beam containing at least one wavelength from an optical source, said means including a planar front surface onto which said at least one optical beam is incident; (b) a first coupler subsystem comprising (1) a first axial gradient refractive index collimating lens operatively associated with said planar front surface, and (2) a first homogeneous index boot lens affixed to said first axial gradient refractive index collimating lens and having a planar exit surface from which said at least one optical beam exits; (c) a diffraction grating formed at said planar exit surface of said first coupler subsystem for combining a plurality of spatially separated diffracted wavelengths from said at least one optical beam into at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam; (d) a second coupler subsystem comprising (1) a second homogeneous index boot lens having a planar front surface onto which said at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam is incident, (2) a second axial gradient refractive index collimating lens affixed to said second homogeneous index boot lens, and (3) a planar back surface from which said at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam exits, said planar back surface being operatively associated with said second axial gradient refractive index collimating lens; and (e) means for outputting said at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam to an optical receiver, said means including said planar back surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification