JP2005338475A - Optical filter device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter device having a narrow crossover area and capable of extracting beams of a plurality of wavelength bands. <P>SOLUTION: The optical filter device is provided with an input optical fiber 10a for emitting input light, first and second output optical fibers 10b, 10c on which beams of mutually different specific wavelength bands out of the input light are made incident, a spectral optical system 30 for spectrally dividing the input light into beams of respective wavelength bands, a first mirror 51 for reflecting beams transmitted through the spectral optical system 30 and orienting the reflected beams to the first output optical fiber 10b, and a second mirror 61 arranged between the spectral optical system 30 and the first mirror 51 so that a transmission part 64 for transmitting part of the beams through the spectral optical system to the first mirror 51, reflecting beams which are not transmitted through the transmission part 64 out of the beams through the spectral optical system 30 and orienting the reflected light to a second output port 10c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

  The present invention relates to an optical filter device that obtains light in a specific wavelength region from input light.

  A typical example of an optical filter device that obtains light in a specific wavelength region from input light is a thin film interference filter device. This thin film interference filter device has an advantage that the manufacturing cost can be reduced because the optical system is relatively simple. However, in a thin film interference filter device that has a certain limit in narrowing the wavelength region of the crossover region between the transmission region and the non-transmission region, the wavelength multiplexing interval is 200 GHz (about 1.6 nm), 100 GHz (about 0. 8 nm) and 50 GHz (about 0.4 nm), and WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) optical communication, which is progressing in a narrowing direction, cannot be supported.

  Therefore, as an optical filter device that extremely narrows the wavelength region of the crossover region between the transmission region and the non-transmission region, there is one described in Patent Document 1 below.

  The optical filter device includes a single input port, a spectroscopic element that splits input light from the input port into light of each wavelength band, and a light having a specific wavelength band among the light of each wavelength band that is split by the spectroscopic element. A filter in which a slit is formed so that only light can be transmitted, and one output port through which light in a specific wavelength band that has passed through the slit of the filter is incident.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-224158 FIG.

  In the recent WDM optical communication field, as described above, since the wavelength multiplexing region has been narrowed, an optical filter device having a narrow crossover region wavelength band is required, and a plurality of wavelengths are required. There is also a need for a filter device that can extract light in a band.

  However, the optical filter device described in Patent Document 1 can only extract light in one wavelength region and cannot meet the demand in the WDM optical communication field.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical filter device that has a narrow wavelength band in the crossover region and can extract light in a plurality of wavelength bands in order to meet the above demand.

In order to achieve the above object, an optical filter device according to claim 1 is provided.
An input port that emits input light, a plurality of output ports into which light in specific wavelength regions different from each other among the input light from the input port respectively enter, and the input light from the input port at each wavelength A spectroscopic optical system that forms a spectrum image by splitting light into a band of light, a relay optical system that forms a real image conjugate with the spectrum image, and a position of the real image formed by the relay optical system or in the vicinity thereof A first mirror capable of reflecting the light having passed through the spectroscopic optical system and directing the light to the first output port of the plurality of output ports; and between the spectroscopic optical system and the first mirror And it is arranged so as to secure a transmission part that is arranged at or near the position where the spectrum image is formed, and allows a part of the light passing through the spectroscopic optical system to pass to the first mirror, Of the light that has passed through the spectroscopic optical system, the light that does not pass through the transmission part can be reflected and directed to one or more second output ports other than the first output port among a plurality of output ports. And one or more second mirrors.

An optical filter device according to a second aspect of the present invention provides:
The optical filter device according to claim 1,
A mirror moving means for moving the second mirror in a direction in which the input light is split by the spectroscopic optical system is provided.

An optical filter device according to a third aspect of the present invention provides:
The optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
A plurality of second mirrors, wherein the plurality of second mirrors are arranged in a direction in which the input light is split by the spectroscopic optical system, and a plurality of the second mirrors form the transmission part. Features.

The optical filter device of the invention according to claim 4 is:
The optical filter device according to claim 3,
A transmission width changing unit that changes a width of the transmission part in a direction in which the input light is split by the spectroscopic optical system is provided.

The optical filter device of the invention according to claim 5 is:
The optical filter device according to any one of claims 3 and 4,
A plurality of the second output ports are provided, and each of the plurality of second mirrors directs the reflected light to any one of the plurality of second output ports.

An optical filter device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention provides:
In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A first shielding member capable of adjusting an amount of light traveling through the transmission part and then toward the first output port is provided.

The optical filter device of the invention according to claim 7 is:
The optical filter device according to claim 6.
The spectroscopic optical system includes a spectroscopic element that splits the input light from the input port into light of each wavelength band, and the first shielding member is a light beam incident on the first output port in the vicinity of the spectroscopic element Is disposed at a position where the light can be shielded, or at a position optically conjugate with the spectroscopic element, or in the vicinity of the position.

An optical filter device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention provides:
In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A second shielding member capable of adjusting the amount of light traveling to the second output port after passing through the spectroscopic optical system is provided.

The optical filter device of the invention according to claim 9 is
In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The first mirror angle changing means for changing the direction of the first mirror is provided.

The optical filter device of the invention according to claim 10 comprises:
In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 9,
A second mirror angle changing means for changing the direction of the second mirror is provided.

An optical filter device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention provides:
In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A port image of input light from the input port is formed at a finite position or at infinity, and the input light is directed to the spectroscopic optical system, while light from the first mirror is transmitted to the first output port. A port image synthesizing optical system that forms an image at or near the position, and forms each light from one or more of the second mirrors at or near the position of one or more of the second output ports. Prepared,
The port image synthesizing optical system includes an input port optical element that is focused on the position of the input port or the vicinity of the position, and a first focus that is focused on the position of the first output port or the vicinity of the position. One output port optical element, one or more second output port optical elements in focus at or near the position of the one or more second output ports, the input port optical element, A first output port optical element, and a composite optical element that collects all the light beams at the same focal point when light beams parallel to each other are output from each of the one or more second output port optical elements. It is characterized by.

The optical filter device of the invention according to claim 12
The optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The spectroscopic optical system has a concave mirror and a reflective grating,
The reflective grating is disposed such that the reflective surface of the reflective grating faces the reflective surface of the concave mirror, and the focal point of the concave mirror is substantially present in the reflective surface of the reflective grating. The reflective surface collimates by reflecting the input light from the input port, and reflects the light in each wavelength band from the first reflective region that leads to the reflective grating and the reflective grating. And a second reflection region that forms a spectrum image.

An optical filter device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides:
The optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The relay optical system has a concave mirror and a plane mirror,
The plane mirror is arranged such that the reflection surface of the plane mirror faces the reflection surface of the concave mirror, and the focal point of the concave mirror substantially exists within the reflection surface of the plane mirror, and the reflection surface of the concave mirror is A first reflection area that collimates by reflecting light from the optical system and guides it to the plane mirror, and a second reflection area that reflects the reflected light from the plane mirror to form a real image conjugate with the spectrum image And having.

  According to the present invention, after the input light is spectrally separated by the spectroscopic optical system, the transmission part of the second mirror serving as a light shielding object for each wavelength band is formed at or near the spectrum image position of the input port by the spectroscopic optical system. Since a part of the divided light in each wavelength band is separated depending on whether or not it passes, the crossover region can be narrowed. Furthermore, in the present invention, a light shielding member for each wavelength band that has been split is formed by the second mirror, the second mirror is tilted in a certain direction, and the light reflected by the second mirror is one or more first light beams. Since the light that has entered the two output ports and has passed through the second mirror, which is a shield, is reflected by the first mirror and is incident on the first output port, light in a plurality of wavelength bands can be extracted.

  In addition, in the apparatus including the mirror moving means for moving the second mirror, the wavelength band of the light incident on the first output port and the wavelength band of the light incident on the second output port can be continuously changed. Further, in the case of including the transmission width changing means for changing the width of the transmission part of the second mirror, the width of the wavelength band of the light incident on the first output port and the width of the wavelength band of the light incident on the second output port Can be changed continuously.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the optical filter device according to the present invention will be described.

  First, an optical filter device as a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, (b) in FIG. 1 shows the configuration shown in FIG. 1 (a) as viewed from the side.

  The optical filter device of the present embodiment is configured to display a port image of input light from the input optical fiber 10a, the first output optical fiber 10b, the second output optical fiber 10c, and an input port that is an end of the input optical fiber 10a. The port image synthesis optical system 20 to be formed, the spectroscopic optical system 30 that forms the spectrum image by splitting the input light into the light of each wavelength band, the relay optical system 40 that forms the real image conjugate with the spectrum image, and this relay The first mirror 51 arranged at the position I3 of the real image formed by the optical system 40 and the position I2 between the spectroscopic optical system 30 and the first mirror 51 where the spectrum image is formed. A second mirror device 60 having two second mirrors 61, a first shielding device 70 that shields part of the light directed to the output port of the first output fiber 10b, and the second output optical fiber 1 A second shielding device 75 for shielding the part of light toward the c output ports, and a.

  Each port of each optical fiber 10a, 10b, 10c is arranged in the Y direction which will be described later.

  The port image synthesizing optical system 20 includes port optical elements 21a, 21b, and 21c that are in focus at the positions of the respective ports of the input optical fiber 10a and the output optical fibers 10b and 10c, and each port optical element 21a, And a combining optical element 22 for condensing all the light beams at the same focal point I1 and forming a combined port image when parallel light beams parallel to each other are temporarily output from each of 21b and 21c.

  The spectroscopic optical system 30 includes a first spectroscopic optical element 31 and a second spectroscopic optical element 32 that form an image after making the light beams forming the above-described combined port image into parallel light beams again, and convert the input light into light of each wavelength band. And a spectroscopic element 33 for performing spectroscopic analysis. Input light from the input port is converted into a parallel light flux by the first spectroscopic optical element 31 and then demultiplexed into light of each wavelength band by the spectroscopic element 33. The light in each wavelength band is formed as a spectrum image by the second spectroscopic optical element 32. For the following convenience, in FIG. 1, the direction in which the input light is incident on the spectroscopic element 33, in other words, the direction parallel to the optical axis of each optical system 20, 30, 40 is defined as the Z direction. On the other hand, a direction in which light in each wavelength band spread by the spectroscopic element 33 is perpendicular to the X direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction is a Y direction.

  The relay optical system 40 includes a first relay optical element 41 and a second relay optical element 42 that form each of the light beams that form the above-described spectrum image after being converted into parallel light beams. The light from the spectroscopic optical system 30 is collimated by the first relay optical element 41 and then imaged by the second relay optical element 42.

The first mirror 51, the light having reached here is so toward the output port of the first output optical fiber 10b, is inclined about a parallel x ₁ axis in the X direction.

The second mirror device 60 includes two second mirrors 61 arranged in the X direction, which is a direction in which input light is split into light of each wavelength band, and the two second mirrors 61 integrally in the X direction. And a transmission width changing mechanism 63 that changes the interval between the two second mirrors 61. Each mirror surface of the two second mirror 61 is located in the same plane, so that the light that has reached here is directed to the output port of the second output optical fiber 10c, tilted around a parallel x ₂ axis X direction It has been. Between the two mirrors 61, a transmission part 64 that allows a part of the light from the spectroscopic optical system 30 to pass to the first mirror 51 is formed, and the transmission width changing mechanism 63 has an X of the transmission part 64. Change the width of the direction.

  Each of the first shielding device 70 and the second shielding device 75 includes shielding materials 71 and 76 that shield the optical path, and shielding movement mechanisms 72 and 77 that move the shielding materials 71 and 76. The shielding material 71 of the first shielding device 70 is in the vicinity of the spectroscopic element 33 and at a position where the light beam toward the first output optical fiber 10b can be shielded, or at a position conjugate with the spectroscopic element 33 in the relay optical system 40. Has been placed. Further, the shielding member 76 of the second shielding device 75 is disposed immediately before the second mirror 61 or at a position where the light toward the second output optical fiber 10 c can be shielded in the vicinity of the spectroscopic element 33.

  Next, the operation of the optical filter device of the present embodiment described above will be described.

  Input light from the input port of the input optical fiber 10 a enters the port image synthesis optical system 20. Then, it is collimated by the input port optical element 20a, and then condensed by the combining optical element 22 at the position I1 to form an input port image. The port image combining optical system 20 of the present embodiment forms a port image at a finite position, but the port image combining optical system includes the combining optical element 22 from the port image combining optical system 20 of the present embodiment. Alternatively, the port image may be formed at infinity. In this case, the first spectroscopic optical element 31 of the spectroscopic optical system 30 is omitted, and the parallel light beam from the port optical element of the port image synthesis optical system is directly guided to the spectroscopic element 33.

  The input light that has passed through the port image synthesis optical system 20 enters the spectroscopic optical system 30 and is collimated by the first spectroscopic optical element 31. The collimated input light is demultiplexed by the spectroscopic element 33 and dispersed into light of each wavelength band. Here, the wavelength band of light desired to enter the first output optical fiber 10b is B1, and the wavelength band of other light is B2. The light of each wavelength band B1 and B2 is condensed at positions I2a and I2b by the second spectroscopic optical element 32 to form a spectrum image. The positions I2a and I2b are the same in the Z direction and different in the X direction.

  The portion of the position I2a where the light of the wavelength band B1 is collected is a portion corresponding to the transmission portion 64 of the second mirror device 60. For this reason, the light in the wavelength band B <b> 1 passes through the transmission part 64 of the second mirror device 60 and travels toward the relay optical system 40. On the other hand, the light in the wavelength band B 2 from the spectroscopic optical system 30 and the light in the other wavelength bands are reflected by the second mirror 61 of the second mirror device 60.

  The light in the wavelength band B1 that has passed through the transmission part 64 of the second mirror device 60 forms a real image conjugate with the spectrum image on the first mirror 51 by the relay optical system 40. Then, the light is reflected by the first mirror 51, travels backward through the relay optical system 40, re-images at the position I2a, and then travels backward through the spectroscopic optical system 30. By the way, the first mirror 51 is installed at the image forming position I3 by the relay optical system 40, and the image forming position I3 and the image forming position I2a have a conjugate positional relationship. The re-imaging position of the light in the wavelength band B1 that travels backward through the relay optical system 40 is the position of the position I2a that is imaged before leaving the spectroscopic optical system 30 and entering the relay optical system 40. That is, when the light in the wavelength band B1 passes through the transmission unit 64 of the second mirror device 60 from the spectroscopic optical system 30 and is reflected by the first mirror 51, the light passes through the transmission unit 64 of the second mirror device 60 again. It passes through and enters the spectroscopic optical system 30. The light in the wavelength band B1 undergoes a multiplexing action opposite to the first demultiplexing action by the spectroscopic element 33 in the process of reversing the spectroscopic optical system 30, and is regenerated as a so-called white image at the imaging position I1. Form an image.

  The light in the wavelength band B1 that has been subjected to the multiplexing action is then collimated by the combining optical element 22 of the port image combining optical system 20 to become a parallel light beam. As described above, since the first mirror 51 is directed to the output port of the first output optical fiber 10b, the light in this wavelength band B1 is used for the first output port. It faces the optical element 21b, thereby forming an image at the output port of the first output optical fiber 10b and entering the first output optical fiber 10b.

  On the other hand, the light in the wavelength band B2 obtained when the input light is subjected to the demultiplexing action by the spectroscopic element 33, that is, all the light other than the light in the wavelength band B1 described above passes through the transmission section 64 of the second mirror device 60. The light cannot be transmitted, is reflected by the second mirror 61, and enters the spectroscopic optical system 30. The light of the wavelength band B2 is subjected to a multiplexing action that is opposite to the first demultiplexing action by the spectroscopic element 33 in the process of reversing the spectroscopic optical system 30, and forms a so-called white image at the imaging position I1. Reimage. The light in the wavelength band B2 that has been subjected to the multiplexing action is then collimated by the combining optical element 22 of the port image combining optical system 20 to become a parallel light beam. As described above, since the second mirror 61 is directed to the output port of the second output optical fiber 10c, the light in this wavelength band B2 is used for the second output port. It faces the optical element 21c, thereby forming an image at the output port of the second output optical fiber 10c and entering the second output optical fiber 10c.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, after the input light is dispersed by the spectroscopic element 33, it is a shield for the light in each wavelength band that is split at or near the position of the input port spectrum image by the spectroscopic optical system 30. Since part of the divided light in each wavelength band is separated depending on whether or not it passes through the transmission part 64 of the second mirror 61, the crossover is performed in the same manner as in Patent Document 1 described in the section of the prior art. The area can be narrowed. Further, in the present embodiment, a light shielding material in each wavelength band that has been dispersed is formed by the second mirror 61, the second mirror 61 is tilted in a certain direction, and the light reflected by the second mirror 61 ( Light in the wavelength band B2) is incident on the second output optical fiber 10c, and the light in the wavelength band B1 that has passed through the second mirror 61, which is a shield, is reflected by the first mirror 51 and incident on the output optical fiber 10b. Therefore, light of two types of wavelength bands can be extracted.

  In the present embodiment, the two second mirrors 61 of the second mirror device 60 are used, but basically the same effect can be obtained with only one mirror. In the above description, the two second mirrors 61 are tilted in the same direction. However, if each is tilted in a different direction and an output optical fiber is prepared, light in three types of wavelength bands can be extracted. it can. Furthermore, if three or more second mirrors 61 of the second mirror device 60 are provided and each of them is directed in a different direction and corresponding output optical fibers are prepared, light of more types of wavelength bands can be obtained. Can be taken out.

  By the way, the second mirror device 60 of the present embodiment has a mirror moving mechanism 62 and can move the two second mirrors 61 integrally in the X direction, that is, the two second mirrors 61. The position of the transmission part 64 between them can be moved in the wavelength dispersion direction of the input light. For this reason, the center wavelength of the light that passes through the transmission section 64 and the center wavelength of the light that does not pass can be changed. That is, in this embodiment, the wavelength band of the light incident on the first output optical fiber 10b and the second output optical fiber 10c can be continuously changed. Furthermore, since the second mirror device 60 of the present embodiment has the transmission width changing mechanism 63 and can change the width of the transmission part 64, the bandwidth of the wavelength band of the light passing through the transmission part 64 and the light does not pass through it. The bandwidth of the wavelength band of light can also be changed.

  In addition, the present embodiment includes a first shielding device 70 that shields a part of the light toward the first mirror 51 and a second shielding device 75 that shields a part of the light toward the second mirror 61. Therefore, the light that is reflected by the first mirror 51 and incident on the first output optical fiber 10b or the light that is reflected by the second mirror 61 and incident on the second output optical fiber 10c is partially blocked to attenuate. be able to. As described above, the shielding member 71 of the first shielding device 70 is located at a position where the light beam toward the first output optical fiber 10b can be shielded in the vicinity of the spectroscopic element 33, or at a position conjugate with or near the spectroscopic element 33. Therefore, by moving the shielding material 71, a part of the light in the wavelength band B1 can be shielded almost uniformly regardless of the wavelength. The second shielding device 75 is the same as the first shielding device 70. As described above, the first shielding device 70 and the second shielding device 75 can be used for adjusting the amount of light incident on the first and second output optical fibers 10b and 10c. When a bright line or the like that is not desired is included, it can be used to eliminate the bright line or the like.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, even when input light is a pulse signal in optical communication, light in a specific wavelength band can be incident on the output optical fibers 10b and 10c without breaking the pulse waveform. Here, in order to explain this effect, the shape characteristics in the time direction of a pulse signal in optical communication will be briefly described. In the spectroscopic method using interference or diffraction of light, a phenomenon that uncertainty in the time axis direction increases inherently with spectroscopic action. Therefore, as the shape of the pulse in the time direction collapses and the pulse frequency increases, individual pulses gradually become inseparable. In order to restore the collapsed pulse waveform, it is necessary to apply an action equivalent to the reverse of the spectral action once received. In the optical filter device as an inverse dispersion type double spectroscope or zero dispersion spectroscope configured by a free space optical system as in this embodiment, the pulse waveform is broken immediately after the first spectral action, but the second time Since the combined action is an action equivalent to the reverse of the first spectral action, the broken pulse waveform is restored. For this reason, as described above, light in a specific wavelength band can be incident on the output optical fibers 10b and 10c without breaking the pulse waveform of the input light.

  Since the optical filter device of the present embodiment has the effects as described above, it can be said that the ability to cope with an increase in bit frequency in optical communication is extremely high.

  Next, a second embodiment of the optical filter device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The optical filter device of the present embodiment is provided with a first mirror angle changing mechanism 55 that changes the inclination of the first mirror 51 instead of the first shielding device 70 and the second shielding device 75 in the first embodiment, and the first A second mirror angle changing mechanism 65 that changes the tilt of the two mirrors 61 is provided, and other configurations are basically the same as those of the first embodiment.

Each mirror angle changing mechanism 55 and 65 are all parallel to _x 1, _{x 2} axes in the X direction, which rotates the respective mirrors 51 and 61. In this way, by tilting the mirrors 51 and 61 about the x ₁ and x ₂ axes parallel to the X direction, the light in the wavelength band B 1 reflected on the first mirror 51 and the wavelength band B 2 reflected on the second mirror 61. The light traveling direction, in other words, the position in the Y direction can be changed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a part of the light in the wavelength bands B1 and B2 that have been incident on the output ports of the output optical fibers 10b and 10c in the first embodiment from being incident on the output port, thereby obtaining an attenuation effect. be able to.

  The shielding devices 70 and 75 in the first embodiment and the mirror angle changing mechanisms 55 and 56 in the present embodiment are not necessarily required, and should be provided as necessary. Further, even if the first shielding device 70 and the second mirror angle changing mechanism 65 are combined, or the second shielding device 75 and the first mirror angle changing mechanism 55 are combined, the same basically the same effect as described above can be obtained. be able to.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The optical filter device of this modification is the end portion of the input optical fiber 10a, the first output optical fiber 10b, the second output optical fiber 10c, and the input optical fiber 10a, as in the first embodiment. A port image synthesis optical system 20A that forms a port image of input light from an input port, a spectroscopic optical system 30A that forms a spectrum image by splitting the input light into light of each wavelength band, and a real image that is conjugate to the spectrum image. The relay optical system 40A to be formed, the first mirror 51 disposed at the position I3 of the real image formed by the relay optical system 40A, and the spectral image between the spectroscopic optical system 30A and the relay optical system A A second mirror device 60A having two second mirrors arranged at a position I2 to be formed; and a first shielding device 70A for shielding a part of the light toward the first mirror 51. To have. In addition to the above, the optical filter device of this modification further includes a polarization operation system 80 that aligns the polarization direction of light. In this modified example as well, in the same manner as in each of the embodiments described above, the direction parallel to the optical axis of each optical system is the Z direction, and each of the components separated by the spectroscopic optical system 30A is perpendicular to the Z direction. A direction in which light in the wavelength band spreads is defined as an X direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction is defined as a Y direction.

  Each of the optical fibers 10a, 10b, and 10c is a single mode fiber having the same specification. Moreover, each port of each optical fiber 10a, 10b, 10c is located in a line with the Y direction.

  The port image synthesizing optical system 20A includes optical elements 21a, 21b, and 21c for ports that are respectively in focus at the positions of the ports of the input optical fiber 10a and the output optical fibers 10b and 10c, and optical paths of light to the respective ports. The plane mirrors 23a, 23b, and 23c to be bent, the anamorphic prism 24 for narrowing the width of each light beam and the distance between each light beam in the Y direction, and the port optical elements 21a, 21b, and 21c are parallel to each other. And a combining optical element 22 that collects all the beams at the same focal point I1 and forms a combined port image when a parallel beam is temporarily output.

  Each of the port optical elements 21a, 21b, and 21c is a micro refraction lens having positive optical power. The combining optical element 22 is also a refractive lens having a positive optical power. The optical path length between the input port microlens 21a and the synthesis lens 22, the optical path length between the first output port microlens 21b and the synthesis lens 22, and the second output port macrolens 21c and the synthesis lens 22. The optical path lengths are the same, and are the sum of the focal lengths of the port microlenses 21a, 21b, and 21c and the focal length of the combining lens 22. For this reason, when light is emitted from each of the optical fibers 10a, 10b, and 10c, the light becomes parallel light beams parallel to each other from the port microlenses 21a, 21b, and 21c. The light is condensed at the same focal point I1 by the lens 22 to form a composite port image.

  In this embodiment, the plane mirrors 23a, 23b, 23c and the anamorphic prism 24 are provided. However, these are not necessarily required, and may be provided as necessary.

  The spectroscopic optical system 30 </ b> A includes a concave parabolic mirror 35 and a reflective grating 36. In the concave parabolic mirror 35, the first reflection area 35a of almost half of the mirror surface functions as the first spectroscopic optical element 31 of the first embodiment, and the remaining second reflection area 35b of almost half is the first implementation. It functions as the second spectroscopic optical element 32 of the form. The reflective grating 36 has a plurality of equally spaced linear grooves. The reflective grating 36 is oriented so that its groove is parallel to the Y direction, and is disposed at the focal point of the concave parabolic mirror 35. The input light from the input port is collimated by the first reflecting region 35a of the concave parabolic mirror 35 functioning as the first spectroscopic optical element, and then is demultiplexed into light of each wavelength band by the grating 36. The At this time, light in each wavelength band is dispersed in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction in which the grooves of the grating 36 extend. Thereafter, the light of each wavelength band is formed as a spectrum image by the second reflection region 35b of the concave parabolic mirror 35 functioning as the second spectroscopic optical element.

  Here, assuming a plane that includes the focal point of the concave paraboloid mirror 35 and is perpendicular to the rotation center axis of the concave paraboloid mirror 35, an appropriate position I1 and a spectrum image where the composite port image is formed are formed. The appropriate position I2 is slightly further away from the concave parabolic mirror 35 than this plane. Here, the appropriate position for image formation means a preferable position from the viewpoint of aberration.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the polarization operation system 80 includes a polarization displacer 81 and three half-wave plates 82a, 82b, and 82c. The polarization displacer 81 is formed of a birefringent crystal, and for input light from the input optical fiber 10a (light traveling from the left side to the right side in the figure), the polarization displacer 81 is decomposed into mutually orthogonal polarization components. Both light beams are emitted parallel to the input light beam. Of the two polarized light beams, one polarized light beam is rotated by 90 ° by the half-wave plate 82a and becomes a polarization direction parallel to the polarization direction of the other polarized light beam. Further, the output light incident on the first output optical fiber 10b (light traveling from the right side to the left side in the figure) is two linearly polarized light beams whose polarization directions are parallel to each other before entering the polarization operation system 80. The luminous flux. One of the light beams is rotated in the direction of polarization by 90 ° by the half-wave plate 82b, and is combined with the other light beam by the polarization displacer 81 and is emitted as one light beam. The emission direction is parallel to the incident direction. Similarly, the output light incident on the second output optical fiber 10c enters the polarization operation system 80 as two light beams, and is combined into one light beam by the polarization operation system 80.

  Thus, since the input light becomes linearly polarized light with the polarization direction aligned by the polarization operation system 80, the influence of the polarization characteristics of the grating 36 can be avoided when the input light is split by the grating 36. it can.

  In this case, the input light is changed to linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is aligned, but since the original purpose is to avoid the influence of the polarization characteristics of the grating, it is not always necessary to use linearly polarized light. Circularly polarized light or random polarized light may be used.

  Further, here, the polarizing displacer 81 is formed of a single birefringent crystal, but instead, a Savart plate or a Savart block may be used. As described above, when the polarization displacer 81 is used, the polarization directions a and b of the two separated light beams from the Savart plate or the like are shown in FIG. By arranging the grating 36 so as to form 45 ° with respect to the extending direction of the groove 36a of the 36, the polarization state in the grating 36 with respect to the two separated light beams can be made equivalent. Also, the polarization state of the grating 36 for the two separated light beams can be made equivalent by passing the two separated light beams from the Savart plate or the like through the half-wave plates. If a Savart plate or a Savart block is used, the optical paths between the polarization components of the light beam transmitted through the polarization operation system 80 can be made equal.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the second mirror device 60 </ b> A integrates two second mirrors 61 arranged in the X direction, which is a light spectral direction by the grating 36, and the two second mirrors 61. A mirror X direction moving mechanism 62a that moves in the X direction, which is a direction, and a mirror Y direction moving mechanism 63a that moves the two second mirrors 61 in the Y direction together with the mirror X direction moving mechanism 62a. Each mirror surface of the two second mirrors 61 is in the same plane, and is tilted about an axis parallel to the X direction so that the light reaching here is directed to the output port of the second output optical fiber 10c. Yes. Further, these two second mirrors 61 are arranged at a position I2 where the above-described spectrum image is formed (shown in FIG. 3). At the edge of the two second mirrors 61, the edge 61a on the other second mirror side is a straight line and is inclined so as to approach the other second mirror side as it goes in the (+) Y direction. Yes. Between the respective linear edges 61 a of the second mirror 61, a triangular transmission part 64 is formed. Thus, since each linear edge 61a of the second mirror 61 is inclined, the mirror Y direction moving mechanism 63a moves the two second mirrors 61 integrally in the Y direction, thereby reaching here. Since the width of the transmission part 64 in the X direction with respect to the reflected light flux changes, the bandwidth of the wavelength band of the light passing through the transmission part 64 can be changed. That is, the mirror Y direction moving mechanism 63a plays the role of the transmission width polarization mechanism 63 in the first embodiment. Further, the wavelength band of the light passing through the transmission unit 64 can be changed by moving the two second mirrors 61 in the X direction integrally by the mirror X direction moving mechanism 64a. As described above, since the two second mirrors 61 are arranged at the position I2 where the spectrum image is formed by the spectroscopic optical system 30A, as a part of this spectrum image, the input optical fiber 10a An input port image I2-1 is formed. If this input port image I2-1 has almost a single wavelength, this image shape is considered to be approximately a point image spot shape. For this reason, even if the shape of the transmissive part 64 is triangular, it may be considered that the transmissive part 64 functions as a slit having a specific width if it is only a spot portion.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the relay optical system 40 </ b> A includes a concave parabolic mirror 45 and a flat mirror 46. In the concave parabolic mirror 45, the first reflection area 45a of almost half of the mirror surface functions as the first relay optical element 41 of the first embodiment, and the remaining second reflection area 45b of almost half is the first implementation. Function as the second relay optical element 42 of the embodiment. The plane mirror 46 is oriented so that its mirror surface is perpendicular to the rotation center axis of the concave parabolic mirror 45, and is disposed at the focal point of the concave parabolic mirror 45.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first shielding device 70 </ b> A includes a shielding material 71 that shields the optical path, and a shielding material moving mechanism 72 that moves the shielding material 71. This shielding material 71 is disposed immediately before the plane mirror 46 of the relay optical system 40A. The shielding material 71 is in the form of a film and has a straight edge at the end in the X direction. The shielding material 71 moves in the X direction and shields the light beam, thereby exerting a squeezing effect. The direction of the straight edge is the direction parallel to the grating groove 36a when the shielding material 71 is projected onto the grating 36, that is, the Y direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light beam that has passed through the transmission part 64 of the second mirror device 60A and entered the relay optical system 40A is the first reflection region of the concave parabolic mirror 45 that functions as the first relay optical element. After being converted into a parallel light beam by 45a, after being subjected to a squeezing effect by the shielding material 71 of the first shielding device 70A, it is reflected by the flat mirror 46, and the first of the concave parabolic mirror 45 functioning as the second relay optical system. A conjugate image conjugate with the spectrum image is formed by the two reflection regions 45b.

  Here, assuming a plane that includes the focal point of the concave parabolic mirror 45 and is perpendicular to the central axis of rotation of the concave parabolic mirror 45, the appropriate position I3 where the conjugate image is formed is slightly smaller than this plane. It is far from the concave parabolic mirror 35.

  The first mirror 61 is a plane mirror, and its mirror surface is installed at the position I3 of the conjugate image formed by the relay optical system 40A. The first mirror 61 is tilted about an axis parallel to the X direction so that the light reaching here is directed to the output port of the first output optical fiber 10b.

  The light beam reflected by the first mirror 61 travels backward through the relay optical system 40A and re-images at the position I2 of the spectrum image and the position of the transmission part 64 of the second mirror device 60A. Pass through. Further, the light beam travels backward through the spectroscopic optical system 30A, is subjected to a multiplexing action by the grating 36, is whitened, and is re-imaged at the position I1 of the aforementioned synthesized port image. Then, the light enters the output port of the first output optical fiber 10b through the port image synthesis optical system 20A.

  On the other hand, the light flux in the wavelength band that does not pass through the transmission section 64 of the second mirror device 60A forms a spectrum image I2-2 on the mirror surface of the second mirror 61, and is reflected by this mirror surface, as shown in FIG. Then, it is returned to the spectroscopic optical system 30A. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the luminous flux travels backward through the spectroscopic optical system 30A, is whitened by the multiplexing action by the grating 36, and is re-imaged at the position I1 of the synthesized port image. The light enters the output port of the second output optical fiber 10c through the port image synthesis optical system 20A.

  In this modification, the first shielding device 70A is used to attenuate the light incident on the first output optical fiber 10b, but instead of the first mirror 51, as in the second embodiment. A first mirror angle changing mechanism 55 that changes the tilt may be used.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the optical filter apparatus as 1st Embodiment concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the optical filter apparatus as 2nd Embodiment concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the optical filter apparatus as a modification of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the polarization operation system shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the direction of the groove | channel of the grating of the modification of the 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and the polarization direction of input light. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the 2nd mirror apparatus of the modification of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the 1st shielding apparatus of the modification of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10a: input optical fiber 10b: first output optical fiber 10c: second output optical fiber 20: 20A: composite port image optical system 21a: optical element for input port 21b: optical element for first output port 21c: second output port Optical element 22: Composite optical element 30, 30A: Spectroscopic optical system 33: Spectroscopic element 35: Concave parabolic mirror 36: Reflective grating 36a: First reflective area 36b: Second reflective area 40, 40A: Relay optical system 45: concave parabolic mirror 45a: first reflection area 45b: second reflection area 46: plane mirror 51: first mirror 55: first mirror angle changing mechanism 60, 60A: second mirror device 61: second mirror 62 : Mirror moving mechanism 62a: mirror X direction moving mechanism 63: transmission width changing mechanism 63a: mirror Y direction moving mechanism 65: second mirror angle changing mechanism 6 : Transmitting portions 70 and 70A: first shielding device 75: the second shielding device 80: polarization manipulation system

Claims (13)

In an optical filter device that obtains light of a specific wavelength band from input light,
An input port for emitting the input light;
Among the input light from the input port, a plurality of output ports into which light of specific wavelength regions different from each other are incident,
A spectroscopic optical system that forms a spectrum image by splitting the input light from the input port into light of each wavelength band;
A relay optical system that forms a real image conjugate with the spectrum image;
Located at or near the position of the real image formed by the relay optical system, it is possible to reflect the light passing through the spectroscopic optical system and direct it to the first output port of the plurality of output ports First mirror,
Between the spectroscopic optical system and the first mirror, disposed at or near the position where the spectrum image is formed, and a part of the light passing through the spectroscopic optical system passes through the first mirror One or more except for the first output port among a plurality of output ports, which are arranged so as to secure a transmission portion to be reflected and reflect light which has not passed through the transmission portion among light passing through the spectroscopic optical system One or more second mirrors that can be directed to the second output port of
An optical filter device comprising: The optical filter device according to claim 1,
Mirror moving means for moving the second mirror in a direction in which the input light is split by the spectroscopic optical system;
An optical filter device. The optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
A plurality of the second mirrors;
The plurality of second mirrors are arranged in a direction in which the input light is split by the spectroscopic optical system, and a plurality of the second mirrors form the transmission part.
An optical filter device. The optical filter device according to claim 3,
A transmission width changing means for changing the width of the transmission part in the direction in which the input light is split by the spectroscopic optical system;
An optical filter device. The optical filter device according to any one of claims 3 and 4,
A plurality of the second output ports;
The plurality of second mirrors respectively direct the reflected light to any one of the plurality of second output ports.
An optical filter device. In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A first shielding member capable of adjusting an amount of light that passes through the transmission part and then travels toward the first output port;
An optical filter device. The optical filter device according to claim 6.
The spectroscopic optical system has a spectroscopic element that splits the input light from the input port into light of each wavelength band,
The first shielding member is disposed in a position where the light beam incident on the first output port can be shielded in the vicinity of the spectroscopic element, or in a position optically conjugate with the spectroscopic element or in the vicinity of the position.
An optical filter device. In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A second shielding member capable of adjusting the amount of light directed to the second output port after passing through the spectroscopic optical system;
An optical filter device. In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
First mirror angle changing means for changing the direction of the first mirror;
An optical filter device. In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 9,
Comprising second mirror angle changing means for changing the direction of the second mirror;
An optical filter device. In the optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A port image of input light from the input port is formed at a finite position or at infinity, and the input light is directed to the spectroscopic optical system, while light from the first mirror is transmitted to the first output port. A port image synthesizing optical system that forms an image at or near the position, and forms each light from one or more of the second mirrors at or near the position of one or more of the second output ports. Prepared,
The port image synthesis optical system includes:
An input port optical element focused on or near the position of the input port;
A first output port optical element in focus at or near the position of the first output port;
One or more second output port optical elements each in focus at or near the position of the one or more second output ports;
When light beams parallel to each other are output from each of the input port optical element, the first output port optical element, and the one or more second output port optical elements, all the light beams are collected at the same focal point. A combining optical element,
An optical filter device comprising: The optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The spectroscopic optical system has a concave mirror and a reflective grating,
The reflective grating is arranged such that the reflective surface of the reflective grating faces the reflective surface of the concave mirror, and the focal point of the concave mirror substantially exists within the reflective surface of the reflective grating;
The reflecting surface of the concave mirror reflects the input light from the input port, collimates it, and reflects the light in each wavelength band from the first reflecting region that leads to the reflecting grating, and the reflecting grating. And a second reflection region for forming the spectrum image,
An optical filter device. The optical filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The relay optical system has a concave mirror and a plane mirror,
The plane mirror is arranged such that the reflecting surface of the plane mirror faces the reflecting surface of the concave mirror, and the focal point of the concave mirror substantially exists within the reflecting surface of the plane mirror;
The reflecting surface of the concave mirror is collimated by reflecting light from the spectroscopic optical system, and reflects the reflected light from the plane mirror and is conjugate with the spectrum image. A second reflective region that forms a real image,
An optical filter device.

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