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. 02, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2000
Andrew D. Sappey, Lakewood, CO (US);
Gerry Murphy, Highlands Ranch, CO (US);
Zolo Technologies, Inc., Louisville, CO (US);
Abstract
A dense wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer (“DWDM”) for use in optical communication systems includes a multiplex optical waveguide propagating a plurality of optical channels of a select channel spacing multiplexed as a single optical signal within a select near infrared wavelength range. A collimating/focusing optic is optically coupled to the multiplex optical waveguide at a select focal length. A reflective echelle grating is optically coupled to the collimating/focusing optic. The echelle grating has a groove spacing and blaze angle providing a channel spacing of the multiplexed optical signal at the select focal length for a select order of diffraction. A linear array of single channel waveguides, each propagating a single channel within the near infrared wavelength range is optically coupled to the collimating/focusing optic. Each optical single channel waveguide has a center and a propagating end and the propagating ends are spaced the focal length from the collimating/focusing optic and the centers of adjacent demultiplexed waveguides are spaced the select channel spacing.