CA2211644C - Optical demultiplexor - Google Patents
Optical demultiplexor Download PDFInfo
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- CA2211644C CA2211644C CA002211644A CA2211644A CA2211644C CA 2211644 C CA2211644 C CA 2211644C CA 002211644 A CA002211644 A CA 002211644A CA 2211644 A CA2211644 A CA 2211644A CA 2211644 C CA2211644 C CA 2211644C
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- wavelength selective
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- selective means
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- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 60
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004611 spectroscopical analysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006641 stabilisation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011105 stabilization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002834 transmittance Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
- G02B6/293—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
- G02B6/29379—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means characterised by the function or use of the complete device
- G02B6/2938—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means characterised by the function or use of the complete device for multiplexing or demultiplexing, i.e. combining or separating wavelengths, e.g. 1xN, NxM
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
- G02B6/293—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
- G02B6/29346—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means operating by wave or beam interference
- G02B6/29361—Interference filters, e.g. multilayer coatings, thin film filters, dichroic splitters or mirrors based on multilayers, WDM filters
- G02B6/29362—Serial cascade of filters or filtering operations, e.g. for a large number of channels
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04J—MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION
- H04J14/00—Optical multiplex systems
- H04J14/02—Wavelength-division multiplex systems
- H04J14/03—WDM arrangements
- H04J14/0307—Multiplexers; Demultiplexers
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
Abstract
An optical demultiplexor utilizes a single optical interference filter disposed between an input end and an output end of the device. The filter is preferably housed within a cavity in a glass block having an upstanding input end, endwall. The optical filter is a wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence.
The device has a plurality of reflective surfaces disposed at the input end for reflecting light reflected from the filter, back to the filter at different predetermined angles. Each different predetermined incident angle allows a different predetermined wavelength of light to pass through the filter to an output end being spatially separated from other predetermined wavelengths that pass through the filter. The reflective surfaces are preferably formed in the upstanding endwall of the glass block. Sixteen channels can be separated by thisdemultiplexor.
The device has a plurality of reflective surfaces disposed at the input end for reflecting light reflected from the filter, back to the filter at different predetermined angles. Each different predetermined incident angle allows a different predetermined wavelength of light to pass through the filter to an output end being spatially separated from other predetermined wavelengths that pass through the filter. The reflective surfaces are preferably formed in the upstanding endwall of the glass block. Sixteen channels can be separated by thisdemultiplexor.
Description
Doc.No:10-23CA Patent Optical Demultiplexor Field of the Invention This invention relates generally wavelength division multiplexed optical communication systems and more particularly to an optical wavelength division demultiplexor capable of 1lti1i7ing an optical interference filter to demultiplex a plurality of wavelengths of light.
10 Background of the Invention In wavelength division multiplexed optical communication systems, many differentoptical wavelength carriers provide independent communication channels in a single optical fiber. Future computation and communication systems place ever-increasing demands upon communication link bandwidth. It is generally known that optical fibers offer much higher bandwidth than conventional coaxial communications; furthermore a single optical channel in a fiber waveguide uses a microscopically small fraction of the available bandwidth of the fiber (typically a few GHz out of several tens of THz). By transmitting several channels at different optical wavelengths into an fiber (i.e., wavelength division multiplexing, or WDM), this bandwidth may be more efficiently utilized.
There have been many attempts to develop a compact, high resolution waveguide demultiplexor or spectrometer for application in areas such as spectroscopy, optical networks and optical links and more particularly optical comrnunication systerns. Such a demultiplexor can be extremely critical in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links. In these links or networks, each channel is assigned a distinct and unique wavelength for data transmission..
Thus, the optical fiber that connects channels in a WDM network carries many discrete wavelength channels and a particular wavelength is selected before the data is received. The data reception can be achieved by combining a wavelength demultiplexor, photodetectors and Doc.No:10-23CA Patent electronic selection circuitries. In WDM links, many wavelengths are multiplexed and transmitted through a single optical fiber to increase the capacity of the fiber. The receiver must demultiplex the many wavelengths and select the proper channel for reception. In these applications, the requirements on the wavelength demultiplexor are typically: an optical s bandwidth > 30 nm, a wavelength resolution of a few angstroms, polarization insensitivity, compactness, low loss, low crosstalk, and a low manufacturing cost.
At present, there are many known methods of selecting particular wavelengths, however, none are ideal for the applications outlined above. Such methods rely either on bulk optics or o waveguide structures where the frequency selective element is either an interference grating or a Fabry-Perot (F-P) cavity. Bulk optics are generally too large and expensive for fiber based WDM applications. Diffraction gratings have been known for many years and produce a high resolution spectrum where the wavelength is a function of the diffracted angle. Thus a single grating can demultiplex many wavelengths. However, available bulk gratings have generally been expensive and difficult to use with optical fibers; another known drawback to these grating is their large physical size.
Techniques for multiplexing and demultiplexing between a single optical fiber comprising the multiplexed channel and plural optical fibers comprising the plural demultiplexed 20 channels are described in various U.S. patents. For example, multiplexing/demultiplexing with birefringent elements is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,744,075 and 4,745,991.
Multiplexing/demultiplexing using optical bandpass filters (such as a resonant cavity) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,707,064 and 5,111,519. Multiplexing/demultiplexing with interference filters is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,474,424 and 4,630,255 and 4,735,478.
2s Multiplexing/demultiplexing using a prism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,933. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,740,951 teaches a complex sequence of cascaded gratings to demultiplex plural optical signals. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,756,587 and 4,989,937 and 4,690,489 disclose optical coupling between adjacent waveguides to achieve a demultiplexing function. A similar technique is Doc.No:10-23CA Patent disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,1 18. Unfortunately, the foregoing techniques are limited by their discrete components to a small number of wavelengths in the multiplexed channel.
Thus, there is a need for compact, manufacturable wavelength division 5 multiplexing(WDM) device for telecommunications purposes and for other applications that is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an optical demultiplexor that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, compact, and that utilizes few optical components.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an optical demultiplexor that is capable of demultiplexing at least 4 channels l1tilizing a single optical filter.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention, there is provided, an optical demultiplexor comprislng:
an input end and an output end;
wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said 20 wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
an input port at the input end for launching a beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough; and, reflective means, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means, at a second, different, predetermined angle to allow a second predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means.
Doc.No:10-23CA Patent In accordance with the invention there is further provided, an optical demultiplexor comprising:
a housing having an input end and an output end, the input end having an upstanding s endwall;
wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
o an input port at the input end for launching a collimated beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough;
a first reflective means defined within the upstanding wall, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the 5 wavelength selective means at a second, different, predetermined incident angle to allow a second predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means;
and a second reflective means defined within the upstanding wall, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the 20 wavelength selective means at a third, different, predetermined incident angle to allow a third predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means.
In accordance with the invention there is further provided, an optical demultiplexor comprismg:
25 an input end and an output end;
a single wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
Doc.No:10-23CA Patent an input port at the input end for launching a beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough, reflective means, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from 5 the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means at a plurality of different predetermined angles to allow a plurality of different predetermined wavelengths of light to pass through said wavelength selective means at a plurality of different angles; and, a plurality of ports disposed at or near the output end to receive the different predetermined wavelengths of light that pass through the wavelength selective means.
Advantageously, by using a single optical interference filter instead of multiple filters, temperature stabilization circuitry becomes for more simple. In the case where multiple filters are required for the demultiplexing of multiple channels or wavelengths, as is described in prior art designs, different filters drift at different rates as a function of 5 temperature variation. Thus, temperature compensation for multiple filter designs is substantially more complex.
Furthermore, by using a single filter in a reflective, folded configuration, as is provided by this invention, a compact device having a minim~l number of costly optical components is provided.
Brief Description of the Drawings Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction withthe drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is an illustration of a prior art optical demultiplexing arrangement ll~ili7ing a single filter to demultiplex 4 wavelengths of light;
Doc.No:10-23CA Patent Fig. 2 is an illustration of a prior art optical demultiplexing arrangement l]tili7ing four filters to demultiplex 4 wavelengths of light;
Fig. 3 is an illustration of a optical demultiplexing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and, Fig. 4 is an illustration of a optical demultiplexing device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
]o Detailed Description Turning now to Fig. 1, a prior art demultiplexor is shown having an input beam B( l, 2, 3, 4) launched into an optical fiber 4 at an input side of a 1 to 4 wavelength independent optical splitter 8. A first output beam B/4( 1, 2, 3, 4) having 1/4 of the power of the input beam, is launched into an optical fiber 6 to a lens 7 positioned to focus a beam at a predetermined angle 1 at wavelength selective means in the form of an optical interference filter 12. The interference filter 12 has a wavelength characteristic that is dependent upon an angle of incidence. Thus when light is directed at the filter 12 at a predetermined incident angle the filter 12 transmits light of a predetermined wavelength and 20 reflects other wavelengths of light. At an angle of, for example, 1 light of a predetermined wavelength 1 is transmitted and other wavelengths, 2, 3, 4 are reflected. Second, third, and fourth other input beams B/4( 1, 2, 3, 4) each having 1/4 of the output power of the input beam are directed through lenses 7 at the filter 12 at predetermined incident angles 2, 3, and 4 respectively. The angles are calculated such that when light is directed at the filter at angle 2, only light of wavelength 2 is passed by the filter. When light is directed at the filter at angles 3 or 4, only light of wavelength 3 or 4 is passed by the filter, respectively. Although this prior art device performs a function of demultiplexing of the Doc. No: 10-23 CA Patent input beam B( 1, 2, 3, 4) into 4 output beams, this is done at the expense of sacrificing more than 75% of the input signal power.
Another similar demultiplexor is shown in prior art Fig. 2, wherein an input beam is s launched via an input fiber 4 into a splitter 8 and is split into 4 output beams each having 1/4 of the power of the input beam. Thus at best, if each of the 4 output beams are demultiplexed with no loss, each of the demultiplexed channels will only have one quarter of the power that was present in the input beam. The demultiplexor in this embodiment includes 4 separate interference filters 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. By providing 4 separate filters, the filters and the lo angle of incidence may be designed to demultiplex the 4 separate channels or wavelengths.
Although this may be seen as an advantage by some, it is far more difficult and costly to provide 4 precise filters rather than the single filter as is shown in Fig. 1; and, in an eight channel demultiplexor, 8 precision filters would be necessary utili7ing the Fig. 2 embodiment. For example a demultiplexor capable of demultiplexing 8 channels each 5 having a 1 nm bandwidth and spacing of 1.6nm, made with 8 separate filters would be extremely difficult to manufacture and is not considered practicable. Furthermore, temperature compensation for such a device would be highly complex and expensive to provide.
In contrast, turning now to Fig. 3, a first embodiment of the invention illustrates a demultiplexor having a single optical interference filter 12, and having three spaced apart reflecting surfaces in the form of mirrors, 1 Oa, 1 Ob, and 1 Oc. Each of the mirrors are disposed in such as manner about an input side of the filter 12 as to reflect a beam incident upon them towards the filter 12 at a different predetermined incident angle. Thus, the mirror 1 Oa is critically positioned to reflect an incoming beam (as shown) at the filter 12 at a predetermined angle 2. Similarly, the mirrors 1 Ob, and lOc are each precisely positioned to reflect an incoming beam (as shown) at the filter 12 at angles 3 and 4 respectively.
Detectors 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d, are positioned on the output side of the filter 12 to detect Doc. No: 10-23 CA Patent light of wavelengths 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The optical interference filter can be made quite small, thus providing a compact relatively inexpensive device. For example, in some instances, an endface of the working surface area of the optical interference filter is approximately between 1.5 and 10 times the size of the beam launched from the input port 5 toward the endface of the optical interference filter 12.
The operation of the demultiplexor will now be described in conjunction with Fig. 3.
An input beam B( 1, 2, 3, 4) is launched at a critical, predetermined angle 1 at the interference filter 12. The filter 12 is designed to pass light at a wavelength 1 that is o incident upon it at an angle of 1, and to reflect other wavelengths of light 2, 3, and 4 incident upon the filter at the angle of 1. As can be seen, light of wavelength 1 passes through the filter and light of wavelength 2, 3, and 4 is reflected, exemplified by the reflected beam B( 2, 3, 4). The mirror 1 Oa is positioned to reflect the beam B( 2, 3, 4) toward the filter 12 at a critical predetermined angle 2. The filter 12 is designed to pass light 5 at a wavelength 2 that is incident upon it at an angle of 2, and to reflect other wavelengths of light 3, and 4 incident upon the filter at the angle 2. Thus, light of wavelength 2 is passed by the filter, and the beam B( 3, 4) is reflected from the filter 12 to the mirror lOb that is precisely positioned to reflect the beam B( 3, 4) toward the filter at an incident angle of 3. Light of wavelength 3 passes through the filter, and the rem~ining beam B( 4) of 20 wavelength 4 is reflected back to the mirror 1 Oc that is precisely positioned to reflect the beam B( 4) back to the filter 12 at a predetermined critical incident angle of 3 degrees. The beam of light of wavelength 4 then passes through the filter 12. Conveniently this arrangement allows a single interference filter with predetermined known reflectance and transmittance properties that change with angle of incidence to be utilized to separate or 25 demultiplex a single beam of light into a plurality of separate wavelengths of light or channels. Detectors 1 4a through 1 4d are positioned to receive the light beams of wavelength 1 through 4 respectively. Alternatively, the detectors can be replaced by output ports for Doc.No:10-23CA Patent coupling or porting the separate beams of light to other locations. In the embodiment shown the mirrors 1 Oa, 1 Ob, and l Oc are preferably 100% reflective, however other embodiments may be embraced depending upon particular circumstances and requirements. For example, by providing one or more mirrors l Oa through l Oc that allow a some small percentage of 5 light to pass therethrough, a tap is provided for tapping a small amount of light from one or more of the beams B( 4), B( 3, 4), or B( 2, 3, 4). The embodiment described heretofore, in accordance with the invention, may be fabricated in a number of different ways. For example, discrete components may be used, however, relatively precisely positioning the mirrors 1 Oa through l Oc at predetermined angles with the filter 12 may within o small tolerances demands high precision. Alternatively, the demultiplexing device can be fabricated in part from a glass block having at least an end wall in which to form coated mirrored surfaces that will reflect light at predetermined angles. This embodiment will be described in more detail in conjunction with Fig. 4.
Turning now to Fig. 4, a demultiplexor is shown that includes and is contained within a glass block 40. An interference filter 12, approximately 2 mm x 2 mm, is housed within the otherwise vacant interior 41 of the glass block 40; thus, the block 40 is essentially a shell, providing a housing and providing reflective coated surfaces that serve as mirrors. At an input end of the glass block 40, at the input side of the demultiplexor, are three polished surfaces 44a, 44b, and 44c polished to predetermined angles 3.035 , 0.717 , and 2.735 respectively, with respect to the planar face of the filter 12. Of course, the particular angles selected are dependent upon the location of the mirrors, their distance from the filter, and on the design of the interference filter 12. The surfaces 44a, 44b, and 44c are coated with a reflective coating. Of course the predetermined angles of the surfaces are selected in accordance with the design of the interference filter 12. An input beam is provided to the demultiplexor via a collim~ting lens 48 at an incline of approximately 4.47 . In some instances, the input angle is tuned or varied insubstantially to compensate for angle tolerance.
At an output side of the device, four polished reflective coated surfaces 46i, 46b, 46c, and ~ ' Doc.No:10-23CA Patent 46d are disposed at predetermined locations to reflect 4 separated channels to 4 output ports (not shown). It should be noted, that the glass block 40 providing a shell, could alternatively be fabricated using a plurality of other materials. For instance, the block could be made of a plastic material. Furthermore, the reflective surfaces 44a, 44b, and 44c may alternatively be s in the form of discrete reflectors or partial reflectors. The number of channels or wavelengths that can be demultiplexed should not be confined to four as shown in Fig. 3 and 4. Simulated designs indicate, for example, that eight wavelengths can be demultiplexed lltili7ing additional reflective surfaces in a similar configuration in accordance with the principles of this invention.
Referring now to Fig. 5, an altemative embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein an interference filter 52 is sandwiched between two solid glass blocks 50 and 51.
Essentially, this embodiment functions in the same manner as in the embodiment described heretofore, of Fig. 4, however, light propagating within the device travels through glass 5 instead of air. From a manufacturing point of view, this embodiment is preferred.
Of course numerous other embodiments may be envisaged without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.
10 Background of the Invention In wavelength division multiplexed optical communication systems, many differentoptical wavelength carriers provide independent communication channels in a single optical fiber. Future computation and communication systems place ever-increasing demands upon communication link bandwidth. It is generally known that optical fibers offer much higher bandwidth than conventional coaxial communications; furthermore a single optical channel in a fiber waveguide uses a microscopically small fraction of the available bandwidth of the fiber (typically a few GHz out of several tens of THz). By transmitting several channels at different optical wavelengths into an fiber (i.e., wavelength division multiplexing, or WDM), this bandwidth may be more efficiently utilized.
There have been many attempts to develop a compact, high resolution waveguide demultiplexor or spectrometer for application in areas such as spectroscopy, optical networks and optical links and more particularly optical comrnunication systerns. Such a demultiplexor can be extremely critical in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links. In these links or networks, each channel is assigned a distinct and unique wavelength for data transmission..
Thus, the optical fiber that connects channels in a WDM network carries many discrete wavelength channels and a particular wavelength is selected before the data is received. The data reception can be achieved by combining a wavelength demultiplexor, photodetectors and Doc.No:10-23CA Patent electronic selection circuitries. In WDM links, many wavelengths are multiplexed and transmitted through a single optical fiber to increase the capacity of the fiber. The receiver must demultiplex the many wavelengths and select the proper channel for reception. In these applications, the requirements on the wavelength demultiplexor are typically: an optical s bandwidth > 30 nm, a wavelength resolution of a few angstroms, polarization insensitivity, compactness, low loss, low crosstalk, and a low manufacturing cost.
At present, there are many known methods of selecting particular wavelengths, however, none are ideal for the applications outlined above. Such methods rely either on bulk optics or o waveguide structures where the frequency selective element is either an interference grating or a Fabry-Perot (F-P) cavity. Bulk optics are generally too large and expensive for fiber based WDM applications. Diffraction gratings have been known for many years and produce a high resolution spectrum where the wavelength is a function of the diffracted angle. Thus a single grating can demultiplex many wavelengths. However, available bulk gratings have generally been expensive and difficult to use with optical fibers; another known drawback to these grating is their large physical size.
Techniques for multiplexing and demultiplexing between a single optical fiber comprising the multiplexed channel and plural optical fibers comprising the plural demultiplexed 20 channels are described in various U.S. patents. For example, multiplexing/demultiplexing with birefringent elements is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,744,075 and 4,745,991.
Multiplexing/demultiplexing using optical bandpass filters (such as a resonant cavity) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,707,064 and 5,111,519. Multiplexing/demultiplexing with interference filters is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,474,424 and 4,630,255 and 4,735,478.
2s Multiplexing/demultiplexing using a prism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,933. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,740,951 teaches a complex sequence of cascaded gratings to demultiplex plural optical signals. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,756,587 and 4,989,937 and 4,690,489 disclose optical coupling between adjacent waveguides to achieve a demultiplexing function. A similar technique is Doc.No:10-23CA Patent disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,1 18. Unfortunately, the foregoing techniques are limited by their discrete components to a small number of wavelengths in the multiplexed channel.
Thus, there is a need for compact, manufacturable wavelength division 5 multiplexing(WDM) device for telecommunications purposes and for other applications that is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an optical demultiplexor that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, compact, and that utilizes few optical components.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an optical demultiplexor that is capable of demultiplexing at least 4 channels l1tilizing a single optical filter.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention, there is provided, an optical demultiplexor comprislng:
an input end and an output end;
wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said 20 wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
an input port at the input end for launching a beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough; and, reflective means, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means, at a second, different, predetermined angle to allow a second predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means.
Doc.No:10-23CA Patent In accordance with the invention there is further provided, an optical demultiplexor comprising:
a housing having an input end and an output end, the input end having an upstanding s endwall;
wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
o an input port at the input end for launching a collimated beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough;
a first reflective means defined within the upstanding wall, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the 5 wavelength selective means at a second, different, predetermined incident angle to allow a second predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means;
and a second reflective means defined within the upstanding wall, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the 20 wavelength selective means at a third, different, predetermined incident angle to allow a third predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means.
In accordance with the invention there is further provided, an optical demultiplexor comprismg:
25 an input end and an output end;
a single wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
Doc.No:10-23CA Patent an input port at the input end for launching a beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough, reflective means, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from 5 the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means at a plurality of different predetermined angles to allow a plurality of different predetermined wavelengths of light to pass through said wavelength selective means at a plurality of different angles; and, a plurality of ports disposed at or near the output end to receive the different predetermined wavelengths of light that pass through the wavelength selective means.
Advantageously, by using a single optical interference filter instead of multiple filters, temperature stabilization circuitry becomes for more simple. In the case where multiple filters are required for the demultiplexing of multiple channels or wavelengths, as is described in prior art designs, different filters drift at different rates as a function of 5 temperature variation. Thus, temperature compensation for multiple filter designs is substantially more complex.
Furthermore, by using a single filter in a reflective, folded configuration, as is provided by this invention, a compact device having a minim~l number of costly optical components is provided.
Brief Description of the Drawings Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction withthe drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is an illustration of a prior art optical demultiplexing arrangement ll~ili7ing a single filter to demultiplex 4 wavelengths of light;
Doc.No:10-23CA Patent Fig. 2 is an illustration of a prior art optical demultiplexing arrangement l]tili7ing four filters to demultiplex 4 wavelengths of light;
Fig. 3 is an illustration of a optical demultiplexing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and, Fig. 4 is an illustration of a optical demultiplexing device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
]o Detailed Description Turning now to Fig. 1, a prior art demultiplexor is shown having an input beam B( l, 2, 3, 4) launched into an optical fiber 4 at an input side of a 1 to 4 wavelength independent optical splitter 8. A first output beam B/4( 1, 2, 3, 4) having 1/4 of the power of the input beam, is launched into an optical fiber 6 to a lens 7 positioned to focus a beam at a predetermined angle 1 at wavelength selective means in the form of an optical interference filter 12. The interference filter 12 has a wavelength characteristic that is dependent upon an angle of incidence. Thus when light is directed at the filter 12 at a predetermined incident angle the filter 12 transmits light of a predetermined wavelength and 20 reflects other wavelengths of light. At an angle of, for example, 1 light of a predetermined wavelength 1 is transmitted and other wavelengths, 2, 3, 4 are reflected. Second, third, and fourth other input beams B/4( 1, 2, 3, 4) each having 1/4 of the output power of the input beam are directed through lenses 7 at the filter 12 at predetermined incident angles 2, 3, and 4 respectively. The angles are calculated such that when light is directed at the filter at angle 2, only light of wavelength 2 is passed by the filter. When light is directed at the filter at angles 3 or 4, only light of wavelength 3 or 4 is passed by the filter, respectively. Although this prior art device performs a function of demultiplexing of the Doc. No: 10-23 CA Patent input beam B( 1, 2, 3, 4) into 4 output beams, this is done at the expense of sacrificing more than 75% of the input signal power.
Another similar demultiplexor is shown in prior art Fig. 2, wherein an input beam is s launched via an input fiber 4 into a splitter 8 and is split into 4 output beams each having 1/4 of the power of the input beam. Thus at best, if each of the 4 output beams are demultiplexed with no loss, each of the demultiplexed channels will only have one quarter of the power that was present in the input beam. The demultiplexor in this embodiment includes 4 separate interference filters 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. By providing 4 separate filters, the filters and the lo angle of incidence may be designed to demultiplex the 4 separate channels or wavelengths.
Although this may be seen as an advantage by some, it is far more difficult and costly to provide 4 precise filters rather than the single filter as is shown in Fig. 1; and, in an eight channel demultiplexor, 8 precision filters would be necessary utili7ing the Fig. 2 embodiment. For example a demultiplexor capable of demultiplexing 8 channels each 5 having a 1 nm bandwidth and spacing of 1.6nm, made with 8 separate filters would be extremely difficult to manufacture and is not considered practicable. Furthermore, temperature compensation for such a device would be highly complex and expensive to provide.
In contrast, turning now to Fig. 3, a first embodiment of the invention illustrates a demultiplexor having a single optical interference filter 12, and having three spaced apart reflecting surfaces in the form of mirrors, 1 Oa, 1 Ob, and 1 Oc. Each of the mirrors are disposed in such as manner about an input side of the filter 12 as to reflect a beam incident upon them towards the filter 12 at a different predetermined incident angle. Thus, the mirror 1 Oa is critically positioned to reflect an incoming beam (as shown) at the filter 12 at a predetermined angle 2. Similarly, the mirrors 1 Ob, and lOc are each precisely positioned to reflect an incoming beam (as shown) at the filter 12 at angles 3 and 4 respectively.
Detectors 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d, are positioned on the output side of the filter 12 to detect Doc. No: 10-23 CA Patent light of wavelengths 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The optical interference filter can be made quite small, thus providing a compact relatively inexpensive device. For example, in some instances, an endface of the working surface area of the optical interference filter is approximately between 1.5 and 10 times the size of the beam launched from the input port 5 toward the endface of the optical interference filter 12.
The operation of the demultiplexor will now be described in conjunction with Fig. 3.
An input beam B( 1, 2, 3, 4) is launched at a critical, predetermined angle 1 at the interference filter 12. The filter 12 is designed to pass light at a wavelength 1 that is o incident upon it at an angle of 1, and to reflect other wavelengths of light 2, 3, and 4 incident upon the filter at the angle of 1. As can be seen, light of wavelength 1 passes through the filter and light of wavelength 2, 3, and 4 is reflected, exemplified by the reflected beam B( 2, 3, 4). The mirror 1 Oa is positioned to reflect the beam B( 2, 3, 4) toward the filter 12 at a critical predetermined angle 2. The filter 12 is designed to pass light 5 at a wavelength 2 that is incident upon it at an angle of 2, and to reflect other wavelengths of light 3, and 4 incident upon the filter at the angle 2. Thus, light of wavelength 2 is passed by the filter, and the beam B( 3, 4) is reflected from the filter 12 to the mirror lOb that is precisely positioned to reflect the beam B( 3, 4) toward the filter at an incident angle of 3. Light of wavelength 3 passes through the filter, and the rem~ining beam B( 4) of 20 wavelength 4 is reflected back to the mirror 1 Oc that is precisely positioned to reflect the beam B( 4) back to the filter 12 at a predetermined critical incident angle of 3 degrees. The beam of light of wavelength 4 then passes through the filter 12. Conveniently this arrangement allows a single interference filter with predetermined known reflectance and transmittance properties that change with angle of incidence to be utilized to separate or 25 demultiplex a single beam of light into a plurality of separate wavelengths of light or channels. Detectors 1 4a through 1 4d are positioned to receive the light beams of wavelength 1 through 4 respectively. Alternatively, the detectors can be replaced by output ports for Doc.No:10-23CA Patent coupling or porting the separate beams of light to other locations. In the embodiment shown the mirrors 1 Oa, 1 Ob, and l Oc are preferably 100% reflective, however other embodiments may be embraced depending upon particular circumstances and requirements. For example, by providing one or more mirrors l Oa through l Oc that allow a some small percentage of 5 light to pass therethrough, a tap is provided for tapping a small amount of light from one or more of the beams B( 4), B( 3, 4), or B( 2, 3, 4). The embodiment described heretofore, in accordance with the invention, may be fabricated in a number of different ways. For example, discrete components may be used, however, relatively precisely positioning the mirrors 1 Oa through l Oc at predetermined angles with the filter 12 may within o small tolerances demands high precision. Alternatively, the demultiplexing device can be fabricated in part from a glass block having at least an end wall in which to form coated mirrored surfaces that will reflect light at predetermined angles. This embodiment will be described in more detail in conjunction with Fig. 4.
Turning now to Fig. 4, a demultiplexor is shown that includes and is contained within a glass block 40. An interference filter 12, approximately 2 mm x 2 mm, is housed within the otherwise vacant interior 41 of the glass block 40; thus, the block 40 is essentially a shell, providing a housing and providing reflective coated surfaces that serve as mirrors. At an input end of the glass block 40, at the input side of the demultiplexor, are three polished surfaces 44a, 44b, and 44c polished to predetermined angles 3.035 , 0.717 , and 2.735 respectively, with respect to the planar face of the filter 12. Of course, the particular angles selected are dependent upon the location of the mirrors, their distance from the filter, and on the design of the interference filter 12. The surfaces 44a, 44b, and 44c are coated with a reflective coating. Of course the predetermined angles of the surfaces are selected in accordance with the design of the interference filter 12. An input beam is provided to the demultiplexor via a collim~ting lens 48 at an incline of approximately 4.47 . In some instances, the input angle is tuned or varied insubstantially to compensate for angle tolerance.
At an output side of the device, four polished reflective coated surfaces 46i, 46b, 46c, and ~ ' Doc.No:10-23CA Patent 46d are disposed at predetermined locations to reflect 4 separated channels to 4 output ports (not shown). It should be noted, that the glass block 40 providing a shell, could alternatively be fabricated using a plurality of other materials. For instance, the block could be made of a plastic material. Furthermore, the reflective surfaces 44a, 44b, and 44c may alternatively be s in the form of discrete reflectors or partial reflectors. The number of channels or wavelengths that can be demultiplexed should not be confined to four as shown in Fig. 3 and 4. Simulated designs indicate, for example, that eight wavelengths can be demultiplexed lltili7ing additional reflective surfaces in a similar configuration in accordance with the principles of this invention.
Referring now to Fig. 5, an altemative embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein an interference filter 52 is sandwiched between two solid glass blocks 50 and 51.
Essentially, this embodiment functions in the same manner as in the embodiment described heretofore, of Fig. 4, however, light propagating within the device travels through glass 5 instead of air. From a manufacturing point of view, this embodiment is preferred.
Of course numerous other embodiments may be envisaged without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (18)
1. An optical demultiplexor comprising:
an input end and an output end;
wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
an input port at the input end for launching a beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough; and, reflective means, positioned to direct at least a portion of the beam reflected from the wavelength selective means back to the wavelength selective means, at a second, different, predetermined angle to allow a second predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means to the output end.
an input end and an output end;
wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
an input port at the input end for launching a beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough; and, reflective means, positioned to direct at least a portion of the beam reflected from the wavelength selective means back to the wavelength selective means, at a second, different, predetermined angle to allow a second predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means to the output end.
2. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 1, wherein the reflective means are positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means at a third, different, predetermined angle, to allow a third, different predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough said wavelength selective means.
3. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 2, wherein the reflective means comprise a plurality of discrete reflective elements.
4. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 2, wherein the reflective means comprise a plurality of discrete mirrors having a reflectance of at least 97%.
5. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 3, wherein at least one of the reflective elements is partially transmitting to provide a tap for allowing a small amount of light to be transmitted therethrough.
6. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 2, including means disposed at the output end for receiving separate optical beams of different wavelengths that have been demultiplexed by the wavelength selective means.
7. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 3, wherein the means disposed at the output end for receiving separate optical beams comprise plurality of output ports.
8. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 4, comprising reflecting means disposed between the wavelength selective means and the output end, for guiding demultiplexed light passing through the wavelength selective means to the plurality of output ports, wherein predetermined wavelengths of light are guided to predetermined output ports.
9. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 5, wherein the reflecting means comprise a plurality of substantially planar reflecting surfaces.
10. An optical demultiplexor comprising:
a housing having an input end and an output end, the input end having an upstanding endwall;
wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
an input port at the input end for launching a collimated beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough;
a first reflective means defined within the upstanding wall, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means at a second, different, predetermined incident angle to allow a second predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means;
and a second reflective means defined within the upstanding wall, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means at a third, different, predetermined incident angle to allow a third predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means.
a housing having an input end and an output end, the input end having an upstanding endwall;
wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
an input port at the input end for launching a collimated beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough;
a first reflective means defined within the upstanding wall, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means at a second, different, predetermined incident angle to allow a second predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means;
and a second reflective means defined within the upstanding wall, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means at a third, different, predetermined incident angle to allow a third predetermined wavelength of light to pass through said wavelength selective means.
11. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 10, wherein the first and second reflective means are provided by polishing an outside face of the upstanding wall in such a manner as to create two facets within the wall, at least a portion of the wall being substantially transparent.
12. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 10, wherein the reflective means comprise substantially reflective coated outer non-parallel planar surfaces of the upstanding wall.
13. An optical demultiplexor comprising:
an input end and an output end;
a single wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
an input port at the input end for launching a beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough;
reflective means, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means at a plurality of different predetermined angles to allow a plurality of different predetermined wavelengths of light to pass through said wavelength selective means at a plurality of different angles; and, a plurality of ports disposed at or near the output end to receive the different predetermined wavelengths of light that pass through the wavelength selective means.
an input end and an output end;
a single wavelength selective means disposed between the input end and the output end, said wavelength selective means having a wavelength characteristic dependent upon an angle of incidence for transmitting light of a first predetermined wavelength and reflecting other wavelengths of light;
an input port at the input end for launching a beam toward the wavelength selective means at a first predetermined angle to allow a first predetermined wavelength of light to pass therethrough;
reflective means, positioned to direct at least a portion of the collimated beam reflected from the wavelength selective means, back to the wavelength selective means at a plurality of different predetermined angles to allow a plurality of different predetermined wavelengths of light to pass through said wavelength selective means at a plurality of different angles; and, a plurality of ports disposed at or near the output end to receive the different predetermined wavelengths of light that pass through the wavelength selective means.
14. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 13, wherein the reflective means comprise a plurality of reflecting surfaces at least one of which is partially transmitting to allow some light to pass therethrough.
15. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 1, wherein the wavelength selective means is an optical interference filter.
16. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 15, wherein an endface surface area of the optical interference filter is approximately between 1.5 and 10 times the size of the beam launched from the input port toward the endface of the optical interference filter.
17. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 1, including: a first substantially transparent block of material having an end defining the input end and having an other end;
a second substantially transparent block of material having an end defining the output end, and having an other end;
the wavelength selective means being disposed between the other end of the first block of material and the other end of the second block of material.
a second substantially transparent block of material having an end defining the output end, and having an other end;
the wavelength selective means being disposed between the other end of the first block of material and the other end of the second block of material.
18. An optical demultiplexor as defined in claim 17, wherein the first and second blocks of material are comprised of glass.
Priority Applications (1)
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CA002211644A CA2211644C (en) | 1997-07-28 | 1997-07-28 | Optical demultiplexor |
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CA002211644A CA2211644C (en) | 1997-07-28 | 1997-07-28 | Optical demultiplexor |
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