Methods and devices for coupling electromagnetic radiation using diffractive optical elements

摘要

Diffractive optical elements are used in methods and devices for coupling or distributing electromagnetic radiation. The diffractive optical. elements may be adapted to split one or more streams of radiation into multiple streams of radiation or to combine multiple streams of radiation to produce single streams. A plurality of diffractive optical elements may be fabricated on substrates by lithographic or molding methods. Diffractive optical elements that split one or more streams of radiation can be combined with diffractive optical elements that combine multiple streams of radiation to provide a coupling device, for example, a star coupler. The star coupler may be used in networked optical communication systems to provide multiple coupling between a plurality of optical drivers and a plurality of optical receivers. Aspects can be applied to any type of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength that can be used as a medium for transferring information.