发明名称 |
Device and method for variable attenuation of an optical channel |
摘要 |
A device for variable attenuation of an optical channel includes an elongated core surrounded by a cladding. Optical energy propagating along the longitudinal axis of the core is normally confined thereto by the difference in refractive indices between the core and cladding. The thermo-optic coefficients of the core and cladding are closely matched such that waveguide confinement is substantially invariant with respect to ambient temperature. The device further includes a thermal source arranged above the core. The thermal source is operable to generate a temperature gradient of controllable magnitude along a vertical axis extending through the core. The temperature gradient causes reduction of the local refractive index within the core relative to surrounding regions of the cladding such that a portion of the optical energy is deflected away from the thermal source and extracted from the core.
|
申请公布号 |
US6434318(B1) |
申请公布日期 |
2002.08.13 |
申请号 |
US20000630981 |
申请日期 |
2000.08.02 |
申请人 |
GEMFIRE CORPORATION |
发明人 |
BISCHEL WILLIAM K.;KOWALCZYK TONY C. |
分类号 |
G02F1/01;G02F1/065;(IPC1-7):G02B6/00 |
主分类号 |
G02F1/01 |
代理机构 |
|
代理人 |
|
主权项 |
|
地址 |
|