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:
Jul. 11, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 14, 1998
Mehdi Asghari, Swindon, GB;
Bookham Technology PLC, Oxfordshire, GB;
Abstract
An optical device for splitting up a multi-wavelength light beam into a plurality of individual beams, each comprising light of a different wavelength or a narrow beam of wavelengths. The optical device includes an optical grating and an optical system for directing the incident beam onto the optical grating. The incident beam is divided into two portions, and one portion is directed onto the grating in one direction, while the other portion is directed onto the grating along an opposite direction. Preferably the grating is formed in two parts and one beam portion is directed through the two grating parts in succession in one direction while the other beam portion is directed through the two grating parts in succession along an opposite direction. A common mirror may be used to direct light towards the grating and to receive light returning from the grating. The device may also be used as a multiplexer by reversing the direction of light transmitted through the device.