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. 01, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 04, 2001
Andrew V Maroney, Epping, GB;
Andrew L Reynolds, Bearsdon, GB;
Kevin J Cordina, Bishops Stortford, GB;
Nortel Networks Limited, St. Laurent, CA;
Abstract
An orientation switchable optical fiber has an elongate body with two ends N, F. The body is twisted intermediate the two ends at M and has a central core region in which light carried by the fiber is confined. Passive means in the form of air channels extend substantially from one end N to substantially the other end F of the body . The passive means promotes orientation of light in at least one first transverse axis A of the body . Active means in the form of thermally stressable rods extend substantially from the location of the twist M to substantially the other end F of the body . The active means is switchable between an off state in which it is ineffective and an on state in which it is effective to promote orientation of light in at least one second transverse axis B of the body . In the off state of the active means light remains confined in the at least one first axis A along the length of the body and in the on state of the active means light transits as on passing the location of the twist M from the first axis A to the at least one second axis B.