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:
Dec. 08, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 29, 1997
Sebastien Bigo, Palaiseau, FR;
Alcatel N.V., Rijswijk, NL;
Abstract
The invention relates to a non-linear optical mirror comprising an optical fiber loop that operates independently of the polarizations of the signals of respective wavelengths .lambda..sub.s and .lambda..sub.c present on its signal and control inputs. The loop of the NOLM is made up of four polarization-maintaining fiber segments having equivalent optical lengths. These four segments are optically optically interconnected by three splices at three locations. At the first and third splices, the neutral propagation axes of the polarization-maintaining fibers are turned through 90.degree.. According to the invention, a mode converter is inserted in the loop at the second splice, the converter comprising an optical demultiplexer and an optical multiplexer together with two polarization-maintaining optical paths inter-connecting them. The demultiplexer separates the two optical signals present at its input and applies them respectively to said two paths. On the path conveying the control signal, .lambda..sub.c, there is a splice including 90.degree. rotation of the polarization-maintaining neutral axes. On the other path, there is no rotation of the axes. The multiplexer then recombines the two signals. The invention is applicable to long distance telecommunications by optical fiber.