The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 08, 1983
Filed:
Jun. 27, 1980
Leo F Johnson, Bedminster, NJ (US);
LeGrand G Van Uitert, Morris Township, Morris County, NJ (US);
Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
Optical communications networks may be implemented by means of a patterned layer of an optically transparent material on a substrate. Where an optical path terminates, e.g., at an on-off switch, it is desirable to optically terminate a waveguide so as to minimize spurious signals due to reflection. The invention provides for optical termination of a waveguide by essentially complete absorption of light. Absorption is effected in a portion of the waveguide which comprises light absorbing centers such as, e.g., carbon or metal particles, anions, cations, or molecules which absorb light at desired wavelengths. Absorbing centers may be comprised in a central portion of a waveguide or, more conveniently, in a portion adjacent to a central portion. In the interest of minimizing reflections, interaction between light and absorbing centers increases gradually in a direction of light propagation as may be due to gradually increasing concentration of absorbing centers or to taper in a waveguide cladding portion, core portion, or absorbing portion.