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:
Nov. 27, 2012
Filed:
May. 07, 2009
Reuven Zaibel, Gan Yavne, IL;
Gil Blecher, Petach Tikva, IL;
Reuven Zaibel, Gan Yavne, IL;
Gil Blecher, Petach Tikva, IL;
Finisar Corporation, Horsham, PA (US);
Abstract
An interferometer includes an optical beam splitter that splits an input optical signal into a first optical signal propagating in a first optical path comprising free space and a second optical signal propagating in a second optical path comprising a dielectric medium. A differential delay delays the second optical signal relative to the first optical signal by a differential delay time that is proportional to at least one of a temperature and a refractive index of the dielectric medium. A temperature controller in thermal contact with the dielectric medium changes the temperature of the dielectric medium to control at least one of thermal expansion/contraction and a temperature dependent change in the refractive index of the dielectric medium, thereby changing the differential phase delay. An optical beam splitter/combiner optically coupled to the first and second optical paths generates a first and second interferometric optical signal having an amplitude and phase that is related to the differential delay.