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:
Jun. 22, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 31, 2002
Pei Huang, Lafayette, CO (US);
Scott Spuler, Denver, CO (US);
Zolo Technologies, Inc., Boulder, CO (US);
Abstract
A (de)multiplexer for use in optical communications systems for multiplexing and demultiplexing an optical signal consisting of optical channel(s) of different wavelength(s) includes a multiplex optical waveguide propagating a plurality of optical channels and a plurality of single channel optical waveguides, each propagating a single channel. Each of the waveguides has a receiving/transmitting end. A diffraction grating is optically coupled between the multiplex optical waveguide and the single channel optical waveguides for diffracting an optical signal between the receiving/transmitting end of the multiplex optical waveguide and the receiving/transmitting end of the single channel optical waveguide. The grooves of the diffraction have spacing which varies according to an algorithm such that a portion of the optical signal diffracted by each groove is offset in a direction of dispersion relative to the portions of the optical signal diffracted by the other surfaces to broaden the transmission band at the receiving/transmitting ends of the single channel and multiplex optical waveguides. A method for fabricating a grating as described above includes etching grooves having spacing which varies according to the algorithm such that a portion of the optical signal diffracted by each surface is offset in a direction of dispersion relative to portions of the optical signal diffracted by each other surface.