Helen Chen

Title: Innovations by Helen Chen

Introduction

Helen Chen is a prominent inventor based in Cupertino, CA. She has made significant contributions to the field of optical technology, holding a total of 6 patents. Her work focuses on enhancing the performance of wavelength selective switches, which are crucial in telecommunications and data transmission.

Latest Patents

One of her latest patents is titled "Tunable optical wedge for reducing crosstalk in wavelength selective switch." This invention involves a wavelength selective switch where an input port transmits an input beam that is dispersed into optical channels by a diffraction grating. The liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCoS) switch assembly features a phase grating profile with addressable pixels based on liquid crystal technology. The tunable optical wedge adjacent to the LCoS switch assembly directs higher-order diffraction beams to minimize crosstalk between output ports.

Another notable patent is "Reconfigurable port arrays for wavelength selectable switch." This invention utilizes an array of very small liquid crystal (LC) cells, known as microcells, which can be independently controlled by separate electrical voltage inputs. This allows for the formation of a polarization rotator window that can be adjusted based on the configuration of the fiber array being used.

Career Highlights

Helen Chen is currently employed at II-VI Delaware, Inc., where she continues to innovate in the field of optical technologies. Her work has been instrumental in advancing the capabilities of wavelength selective switches, which are essential for modern communication systems.

Collaborations

Helen has collaborated with notable colleagues such as Guomin Jiang and Jack Robert Kelly. Their combined expertise has contributed to the successful development of her innovative technologies.

Conclusion

Helen Chen's contributions to optical technology through her patents demonstrate her significant impact in the field. Her work continues to influence advancements in telecommunications and data transmission systems.