Confluent Photonics Corporation

Lightchip, Inc.

Other

Robert H Dueck

Gregory G Cappiello

Robert K Wade

Boyd V Hunter

Joseph R Dempewolf

Alan Eli Willner

Mikhail N Sokolskiy

An apparatus and method for two-dimensional wavelength beam combining of a plurality of laser sources. In one embodiment, an external cavity multi-wavelength laser comprises an array of laser gain elements, two optical transform lenses, two dispersive elements, an imaging system, a deflective array, and an output coupler. First and second optical transform lenses spatially overlap optical beams in first and second dimensions forming regions of overlap at the first and second dispersive elements. The deflective array comprises a plurality of mirrors wherein each mirror deflects and rearranges the optical beams from a common row. The dispersive elements introduce wavelength discrimination that when combined with the output coupler, provide the required feedback gain. The output coupler creates a single output port for the plurality of external optical cavities established in unison with the plurality of laser emitters. The output coupler transmits a multi-wavelength output beam comprising spatially overlapped coaxial optical beams.

Two-dimensional laser system employing two dispersive elements

A diffraction grating for optical communication is disclosed. The diffraction grating includes a substrate and a reflective material adjacent the substrate, wherein one or more input optical signals incident the reflective material is diffracted into one or more output optical signals over a wavelength range of at least approximately 30 nm, within which the diffraction grating is substantially polarization insensitive.

Diffraction grating for wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices

A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer (WDM) for use in an optical network and in an optical performance monitor that minimizes increases in insertion losses over temperature variations has a structure for holding at least one optical component. A diffraction grating assembly having a substrate is held in relation to the at least one optical component by the structure. A lens assembly having a focal length is held in relation to the at least one optical component. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the lens assembly and structure are approximately equal. The grating assembly has an angular dispersion that changes with temperature and the product of the focal length and angular dispersion remains constant over temperature. The WDM further comprises a prism having a change in index of refraction with temperature that is approximately equal to a negative of a coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate.

Athermalization and pressure desensitization of diffraction grating based WDM devices

A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer (WDM) for use in an optical network has a structure for holding at least one optical component. A diffraction grating assembly having a substrate is held in relation to the at least one optical component by the structure. A lens assembly having a focal length is held in relation to the at least one optical component. The grating assembly has an angular dispersion that changes with temperature and the product of the focal length and angular dispersion remains constant over temperature.

Improved wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices are disclosed. In the case of an improved wavelength division multiplexing device having a diffraction grating for combining a plurality of narrowband optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, wherein the plurality of narrowband optical beams are received from a corresponding plurality of optical sources and the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam is transmitted to a corresponding optical receiver, the improvement comprises employing a plurality of patterned optical input components corresponding to the plurality of narrowband optical beams and the plurality of optical sources for introducing a first patterned phase delay into the plurality of narrowband optical beams, wherein each of the plurality of patterned optical input components has an effective focal length such that each of the plurality of optical sources is disposed substantially inside the effective focal length of a corresponding one of the plurality of patterned optical input components. The improvement also comprises similarly employing a patterned optical output component for introducing a second patterned phase delay into the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.

Wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices employing patterned optical components

Improved wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices are disclosed. In the case of an improved wavelength division multiplexing device having a diffraction grating for combining a plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, the improvement comprises employing a plurality of patterned optical input components corresponding to the plurality of monochromatic optical beams, wherein each of the plurality of patterned optical input components introduces a first patterned phase delay into a corresponding one of the plurality of monochromatic optical. beams. The improvement also comprises employing a patterned optical output component for introducing a second patterned phase delay into the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, wherein the first patterned phase delay and the second patterned phase delay are added so as to reshape the passband of the improved wavelength division multiplexing device.

A wavelength division multiplexer is provided that integrates an axial gradient refractive index element 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 receiver. The device comprises: (a) means for accepting optical input from at least one optical source, the means including a planar surface; (b) a coupler element comprising (1) an axial gradient refractive index collimating lens having a planar entrance surface onto which the optical input is incident and (2) a homogeneous index boot lens affixed to the axial gradient refractive index collimating lens and having a planar but tilted exit surface; (c) a diffraction grating, such as a Littrow diffraction grating, on the tilted surface of the homogeneous index boot lens which combines a plurality of spatially separated wavelengths from the optical light; and (d) means to output at least one multiplexed, polychromatic output beam, the means including a planar surface. The device may be operated in the forward direction as a multiplexer or in the reverse direction as a demultiplexer.

Integrated bi-directional axial gradient refractive index/diffraction

A wavelength division multiplexer integrating a dispersive element having a gradient refractive index with optical lenses to provide efficient coupling from a plurality of input optical fibers (each delivering a plurality of discrete wavelengths to the device) which are multiplexed to a single polychromatic beam for output to a single output optical fiber. The device comprises: (a) an input means for accepting a plurality of optical input beams of different wavelengths from a plurality of optical sources, the means including a planar front surface onto which the optical beams are incident; (b) a dispersive element comprising a radial (or axial) gradient refractive index for combining the plurality of optical input beams into a single optical beam and operatively associated with the planar front surface; (c) a coupler subsystem secured to the dispersive element and comprising (1) a first homogeneous index boot lens having a planar front surface onto which the single optical beam from the dispersive element is incident, (2) an axial gradient refractive index collimating lens affixed to the first homogeneous index boot lens, and (3) a planar back surface from which the single optical beam exits, operatively associated with the axial gradient refractive index collimating lens; and (d) an output means for outputting at least one multiplexed, polychromatic output beam to an optical receiver, the means including the planar back surface. The device is fully bi-directional and may be operated in the forward direction as a multiplexer and in the reverse direction as a demultiplexer.

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Santa Ana, CA, United States of America

Robert H Dueck