US4130342A
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US
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Passive optical channel crossover, switch and bend structure
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1977-05-31
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Granted: 1978-12-19
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Expires: 1997-05-31
Abstract
Abstract An optical structure comprising a multiplicity of optical channels crossing in a plane, constructed to provide high interchannel isolation with low optical signal attenuation. Each channel possesses a refractive index that is greater than the refractive index of the encompassing planar material and is separated from the optical channel interaction region by an optical propagating material, having a refractive index that is less than the refractive index of the optical channels, which is inserted along each border between the optical channels and the channel interaction region formed by the crossover. Other embodiments of the invention provide low loss optical channel bends and a high isolation, low loss, double pole, double throw optical channel switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald H. McMahon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/125; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02F1/3137
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An optical channel in-plane crossover comprising: a plate of substantially transparent optical material having a refractive index N 1 ; means for forming an optical channel configuration in said plate comprising first and second optical channels each with a refractive index n that is greater than N 1 such that optical signals with diverging angles between -θ and +θ with respect to the direction of said optical channels propagate therein, said first and second optical channels crossing at a predetermined crossing angle to form an interaction region with a refractive index n and having four sides forming boundaries with said first and second optical waveguides; and means for providing strips of substantially transparent optical having a refractive index N 2 that is less than n at said four sides forming said boundaries of said interaction region with said first and second optical waveguides, whereby optical signals initially propagating in said first and second optical channels propagate through said interaction region and continue to propagate in said initial propagating channels therebeyond while being substantially reflected in the interaction region from the optical channels in which the optical signals are not initially propagating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An optical channel in-plane crossover comprising: a plate of substantially transparent optical material having a refractive index N 1 ; means for forming an optical channel configuration in said plate comprising first and second optical channels each with a refractive index n that is greater than N 1 such that optical signals with diverging angles between -θ and +θ with respect to the direction of said optical channels propagate therein, said first and second optical channels crossing at a predetermined crossing angle to form an interaction region with a refractive index n and having four sides forming boundaries with said first and second optical waveguides; and means for providing strips of substantially transparent optical having a refractive index N 2 that is less than n at said four sides forming said boundaries of said interaction region with said first and second optical waveguides, whereby optical signals initially propagating in said first and second optical channels propagate through said interaction region and continue to propagate in said initial propagating channels therebeyond while being substantially reflected in the interaction region from the optical channels in which the optical signals are not initially propagating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical channel in-plane crossover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said predetermined crossing angle is at least as great as two time θ.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical channel in-plane crossover in accordane with claim 2, wherein said refractive index N 1 is not greater than said refractive index N 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The in-plane crossover of claim 3 wherein said plate is a substantially transparent electro-optic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical channel in-plane structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said interaction region comprises an electro-optic material and further includes electrode means positioned to extend diagonally across said interaction region such that upon the application of a voltage to said electrode means the refractive index of the electro-optic material in the region of said electrode means is reduced, causing an optical signal propagating in one of said optical channels to be reflected from said region of said reduced refractive index to propagate in the other of said optical channels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical in-plane structure in accordance with claim 5 wherein said predetermined crossing angle is at least as great as two time θ.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The in-plane structure of claim 6 wherein said plate is a substantially transparent electro-optic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The optical in-plane structure of claim 5 wherein said voltage applied to said electrode means is of a magnitude that reduces said refractive index of said electro-optic material to a value that creates a partial mirror in said region of said electrode means whereby an optical signal propagating in one of said first and second optical is caused to divide between said first and second optical channels in accordance with the reflection and transmission coefficients established by said partial mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical channel in-plane structure in accordance with claim 8 wherein said predetermined crossing angle is at least as great as two time θ.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The in-plane structure of claim 9 wherein said plate is a substantially transparent electro-optic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
An optical channel in-plane crossover in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optical channel configuration comprises first and second optical channels crossing at a predetermined crossing angle to form an interaction region with four sides, said first and second optical channels having barrier walls, with refractive index less than N 1 , between which optical signals may propagate in a region with refractive index N 1 , each of said barrier walls continuing in an uninterrupted fashion past interaction region collinearly with one of said strips at said boundary of said interaction region, thus forming strips f substantially transparent optical material with refractive index less than N 1 at said four sides of said interaction region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical channel in-plane crossover in accordance with claim 11 wherein said predetermined crossing angle is at least as great as two times θ.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The in-plane crossover of claim 12 wherein said plate is a substantially transparent electro-optic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical channel in-plane structure in accordance with claim 11 wherein said interaction region comprises an electro-optic material and furhter includes electrode means position to extend diagonally across said interaction region such that, upon the application of a voltage to said electrode means the refractive index of the electro-optic material in the region of said electrode means is reduced, causing an optical signal propagating in one of said optical channels to be reflected from said region of said reduced refractive index to propagate in the other of said optical channels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical channel in-plane structure in accordance with claim 14 wherein said predetermined crossing angle is at least as great as two times θ.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The in-plane structure of claim 15 wherein said plate is a substantially transparent electro-optic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
81 words
The optical in-plane structure of claim 14 wherein said voltage applied to said electrode means is of a magnitude that reduces said refractive index of said electro-optic material to a value that creates a partial mirror in said region of said electrode means whereby an optical signal propagating in one of said first and second optical channels is caused to divide between said first and second optical channels in accordance with the reflection and transmission coefficients established by said partial mirror.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical channel in-plane structure in accordance with claim 17 wherein said predetermined crossing angle is at least as great as two times θ.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The in-plane structure of claim 18 wherein said plate is a substantially transparent electro-optic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
94 words
An otpical channel in-plane structure in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first and second optical channels terminate at said interaction region and said interaction region is terminated by an optical medium with refractive index less than n located at the diagonal defined by said terminated first and second optical channels whereby an optical signal propagating in one of said optical channels, that enters said interaction region, is reflected from said optical medium at said interaction channel diagonal to propagate in the other of said optical channels, thereby forming an optical channel in-plane bend.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical channel in-plane structure in accordance with claim 20 wherein said predetermined crossing angle is at least as great as two times θ.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The in-plane structure of claim 21 wherein said plate is a substantially transparent electro-optic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical channel in-plane structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second optical channels terminate at said interaction region and said interaction region is terminated by an optical medium with refractive index less than n located at the diagonal defined by said terminated first and second optical channels whereby an optical signal propagating in one of said optical channels, that enters said interaction region, is reflected from said diagonal to propagate in the other of said optical channels thereby forming an optical channel in-plane bend.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical channel in-plane structure in accordance with claim 23 wherein said predetermined crossing angle is at least as great as two times θ.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The in-plane structure of claim 24 wherein said plate is a substantially transparent electro-optic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-18 | 1982-06-19 | 1982-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-18 | 1986-06-19 | 1986-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-18 | 1990-06-19 | 1990-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |