Device for optical applications

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for optical applications, which has an optical waveguide (), to which a light source () can be connected. The optical waveguide () is designed in such a way that light emitted by the connectable light source () propagates along a light propagation axis (). A wavelength-sensitive grating structure () in the optical waveguide () has detectors (), which are arranged in such a way that the detectors absorb partial amounts of the light of the light source () that is scattered by the wavelength-sensitive grating structure (). The grating structure () in the optical waveguide () is constructed of periodically arranged ellipsoid structural elements (). The ellipsoid structural elements () have a different index of refraction than the material of the optical waveguide () surrounding the ellipsoid structural elements. The ellipsoid structural elements () have a longitudinal axis and a short axis, which are substantially perpendicular to the light propagation axis (). Depending on the wavelength, partial amounts of the light scattered by the grating structure () are coupled out of the optical waveguide (). The light hits the detectors (). An absorbing or partially reflecting filter () is arranged between at least one of the detectors () and the optical waveguide (). The detectors () have measuring elements for the intensity of the partial amount of the light that hits the detector () in question. An evaluation element is provided, which determines a wavelength from the intensity ratio of the plurality of detectors (). The detectors () are arranged in such a way that the detectors either are arranged opposite each other on different sides of the long axes of the