Corning Incorporated

Peter J McNeilly

Steven Bruce Dawes

Laura A Weller-Brophy

Gang Chen

Mike Xu Ouyang

Darol Chamberlain

The present invention relates to a tunable optical device that includes an optical fiber device having optical properties that vary with temperature and a heater . The heater is thermally coupled to the optical fiber device . The heater includes a metal layer and two electrical contacts that are electrically connected to the metal layer . The electrical contacts are spaced apart from one another along the metal layer . The electrical resistance of the portion of the metal layer between the contacts varies with temperature and serves as a resistive heater. The invention also includes a controller that is electrically connected to the heater . The controller provides electrical power to the heater and measures the electrical voltage across the heater . The controller compares the measured electrical voltage to a pre-selected reference value. The controller then regulates the amount of electrical current supplied to the heater . By regulating the amount of electrical current supplied to the heater the temperature of the heater is controlled.

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Painted Post, NY, United States of America

Peter J McNeilly