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:
May. 02, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 24, 1997
Dmitry Starodubov, Los Angeles, CA (US);
D-Star Technologies LLC, Manhattan Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
An optical system for selectively filtering and modulating light transmitted through an optical fiber. A tunable optical filter is provided which is capable of selectively correcting, amplifying or modulating light within an optical fiber by selectively extracting light from the core of the fiber into the cladding where it may be acted upon using an active device. Where the active device includes an electrically sensitive material, a constant or varying voltage applied to the material causes the refractive index of the material to change, affecting the transmission of the light within the fiber. Various combinations of gratings and electrically driven elements can be combined to provide various types of filters, amplifiers, modulators and delay lines that are easily incorporated into an optical fiber line. Where the optically active material reacts to selected gases, liquids or radiation, the presence of such a gas, liquid or radiation may also change the refractive index of the material, providing an environmentally robust sensor.