Optical System with 1xN Interleaver and Methods of Making and Using Same
Article comments
40 pages. Also available from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Website: http://www.uspto.gov.
Abstract
An optical system and method are disclosed for multiplexing or de-multiplexing channels within a wavelength band. The optical signals carried on the system comprise separate channels 1 through n, each having a unique passband and a center wavelength spaced from the center wavelength of adjacent channels by d nm. The signals are semi-multiplexed, demultiplexed, or semi-demultiplexed by an interleaver comprising optically matched and directly optically coupled etalons. Periodic spectral passbands of width less than d nm, spaced from each other a distance of zd, where z is an integer greater than or equal to 3, are substantially transmitted through the interleaver. At least one of the etalons is a bulk optic etalon and comprises first and second selectively transparent thin film mirror coatings on opposite surfaces of a bulk optic that defines the cavity spacing of that etalon.Suggested Citation
Michael A. Scobey, Lucien P. Ghislain, Dennis J. Derickson, and Loren F. Stokes. "Optical System with 1xN Interleaver and Methods of Making and Using Same" United States Patent Number: 6,658,172 B1 Dec. 2003.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ddericks/9