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. 14, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 28, 1999
Lawrence E. Foltzer, Occidental, CA (US);
Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P., Plano, TX (US);
Abstract
An optical filter having a wide tuning range and a method of making the same. A fiber Bragg grating member having a selected grating pitch is coupled to a plurality of actuating members such as Shape Memory Alloys. A current source or thermal source is included for providing a controlled amount of current or heat so as to cause a change in the length of the actuating members. The length of the fiber Bragg grating member is accordingly changed also. The grating pitch is correspondingly altered, thereby causing a change in the Bragg resonance wavelength of the grating. In response, a reflected optical signal selected from incoming multiplexed optical signals tunes to a different wavelength. A closed-loop controller is provided for controlling energy inputs to the actuating members to modulate the tuning of the reflected optical signals.