IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0463473
(2003-06-17)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
21 인용 특허 :
88 |
초록
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A wavelength tunable device for operating on at least a portion of energy propagating through a waveguide is disclosed. The wavelength tunable device includes an upper cladding and a lower cladding having a core substantially disposed there between and suitable for optically coupling to the waveguid
A wavelength tunable device for operating on at least a portion of energy propagating through a waveguide is disclosed. The wavelength tunable device includes an upper cladding and a lower cladding having a core substantially disposed there between and suitable for optically coupling to the waveguide, a pattern of nanostructures positioned substantially on the upper cladding distal to the core so as to define a reflectivity for energy propagating through the waveguide, and, a movable membrane aligned with the pattern of nanostructures so as to at least partially define a gap there between. This gap may be selectively controlled upon actuation of the movable membrane so as to cause a corresponding change in the reflectivity.
대표청구항
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1. A wavelength tunable active device for operating on at least a portion of energy propagating through a waveguide, said device comprising:an upper cladding and a lower cladding having a core substantially disposed there between and suitable for being optically coupled to said waveguide; a pattern
1. A wavelength tunable active device for operating on at least a portion of energy propagating through a waveguide, said device comprising:an upper cladding and a lower cladding having a core substantially disposed there between and suitable for being optically coupled to said waveguide; a pattern of nanostructures positioned substantially on said upper cladding distal to said core so as to define a reflectivity for energy propagating through said waveguide; and, a movable membrane aligned with said pattern of nanostructures so as to at least partially define a gap there between; wherein, said gap may be selectively controlled upon actuation of said movable membrane so as to cause a corresponding change in said reflectivity. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said pattern of nanostructures comprises a periodic structure of nanostructures.3. The device of claim 1, wherein said pattern of nanostructures is formed substantially from at least one of Si, InP, and GaAs.4. The device of claim 1, wherein said pattern of nanostructures includes at least one pattern selected from the group consisting of holes, strips, trenches and pillars.5. The device of claim 4, wherein said pattern has a common period.6. The device of claim 1, wherein said pattern of nanostructures is one-dimensional.7. The device of claim 1, wherein said pattern of nanostructures is two-dimensional.8. The device of claim 1, wherein said pattern of nanostructures is formed of materials wherein the refractive index of said pattern of nanostructures is greater than the refractive index of said upper cladding.9. The device of claim 1, wherein said upper cladding is formed substantially of at least one of SiO2 and InP.10. The device of claim 1, wherein said lower cladding is formed of substantially InP or SiO2.11. The device of claim 1, wherein said core is formed substantially of at least one of SiN and InGaAs.12. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable membrane is a microelectromechanical system.13. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable membrane is formed of substantially at least one of the group consisting of SiN, Si and SiO2.14. The device of claim 1, wherein the size of said gap is within the range 0.01 um to 1 um.15. The device of claim 14, wherein the size of the gap is substantially 0.3 um.16. The device of claim 1, wherein control of the size of gap by electro-mechanically actuating said movable membrane provides for wavelength selection of the device.17. A monolithic tunable optical energy source suitable for emitting energy having at least one wavelength, said source comprising:a gain portion suitable for amplifying said energy to be emitted; at least a first reflector suitable for substantially reflecting the at least one wavelength comprising an upper cladding and a lower cladding having a core substantially disposed there between; a pattern of nanostructures positioned substantially on said upper cladding distal to said core so as to define a reflectivity for propagating energy; and, a movable membrane aligned with said pattern of nanostructures so as to at least partially define a gap there between; wherein, said gap may be selectively controlled upon actuation of said movable membrane so as to cause a corresponding change in said reflectivity; and, a waveguide portion substantially optically coupling said first reflector with said gain portion. 18. The source of claim 17, further comprising a second reflector located adjacent to said gain portion distal from said first reflector.19. The source of claim 18, wherein said second reflector reflects a first portion of the propagating energy back through said gain portion and transmits a second portion of the propagating energy.20. The source of claim 19, wherein said transmitted second portion is approximately one percent of the propagating energy.21. The source of claim 17, wherein said gain portion is of the form of a Type III-V semiconductor compound.22. The source of claim 21 wherein said gain portion is formed substantially of at least one of GaAs and InGaAsP.23. The source of claim 17 wherein said gain portion operates to maintain more excited or pumped atoms in higher energy levels than atoms existing in the lower energy levels.24. The source of claim 23, wherein said gain portion is energized by energy of a wavelength selected by said first reflector and propagating through said gain portion.25. The source of claim 23, wherein a second reflector is optically coupled with said first reflector thereby creating an energy oscillator.26. The source of claim 25, wherein said second reflector transmits a portion of the propagating energy, thereby creating a laser emission of the wavelength selected by said first reflector.27. The source of claim 25, wherein said second reflector and said first reflector are substantially associated with the wavelength of the oscillating energy.28. The source of claim 27, wherein said second reflector transmits a portion of the propagating energy, thereby creating a laser emission of the wavelength selected by said first reflector and said second reflector.29. A waveguide module suitable for interacting with input energy propagation utilizing a wavelength tunable device, the waveguide module comprising:a waveguide wavelength demultiplexer suitable for dividing the energy propagation into parts, each part comprising approximately an equal wavelength portion of said energy propagation; and, a plurality of reflectors suitable for interacting with the divided energy propagation, each reflector comprising an upper cladding and a lower cladding having a core substantially disposed there between and suitable for being optically coupled to said waveguide wavelength demultiplexer; a pattern of nanostructures positioned substantially on said upper cladding distal to said core so as to define a reflectivity for the energy propagating through said waveguide wavelength demultiplexer; and, a movable membrane aligned with said pattern of nanostructures so as to at least partially define a gap there between; wherein, said gap may be selectively controlled upon actuation of said movable membrane so as to cause a corresponding change in said reflectivity, suitable for determining the add/drop characteristics of operating wavelength portion. 30. The module of claim 29, further comprising a circulator optically coupled to said waveguide wavelength demultiplexer, said circulator being suitable for input and output coupling.31. The module of claim 30, wherein said circulator comprises a number of ports identified in a specific sequence, and wherein said circulator substantially outputs energy input through one port through the next port in the sequence.32. The module of claim 29, wherein said waveguide wavelength demultiplexer includes an arrayed waveguide grating.33. The module of claim 29, wherein said waveguide wavelength demultiplexer includes an echelle grating.34. The module of claim 29, wherein said plurality of reflectors includes at least one reflector suitable for use as a tunable narrow-band reflective mirror.35. The module of claim 29, wherein said plurality of reflectors includes at least one reflector suitable for use as a tunable notch filter.36. The module of claim 29, wherein at least one of said plurality of reflectors substantially transmits wavelengths to be dropped from the module.37. The module of claim 29, wherein at least one of said plurality of reflectors substantially reflects wavelengths continuing to propagate.38. The module of claim 29, wherein at least one of said plurality of reflectors is configured to transmit a previously substantially unused wavelength, thereby injecting this wavelength into the system.39. The module of claim 29, wherein at least one of said plurality of reflectors substantially operates as a variable optical attenuator, the module thereby being suitable for use as a dynamic gain equalization filter.
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