18458185. OPTICAL MULTIPLEXER simplified abstract (Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.)
Contents
OPTICAL MULTIPLEXER
Organization Name
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
Inventor(s)
OPTICAL MULTIPLEXER - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18458185 titled 'OPTICAL MULTIPLEXER
Simplified Explanation
The abstract describes an optical multiplexer that combines multiple laser beams with different wavelengths onto the same optical path. The multiplexer includes light sources, a collimator, and a diffraction grating.
- The optical multiplexer includes multiple light sources that emit laser beams with different wavelengths.
- The collimator is used to collimate the laser beams emitted from the light sources.
- The diffraction grating diffracts the collimated laser beams and emits them along the same optical path.
- The diffraction grating is of a transmission-type, allowing the laser beams to pass through it.
- The light sources are arranged linearly on the incident side focal plane of the collimator.
- The grating surface of the diffraction grating is located on the emission side focal plane of the collimator.
- The distance between two adjacent light sources is set to satisfy a specific equation involving the wavelengths of the laser beams.
Potential applications of this technology:
- Optical communication systems: The optical multiplexer can be used to combine multiple optical signals with different wavelengths onto a single optical fiber, increasing the capacity of the communication system.
- Spectroscopy: The multiplexer can be used in spectroscopic instruments to combine and analyze light from different sources with different wavelengths.
- Optical sensing: By combining multiple laser beams with different wavelengths, the multiplexer can enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of optical sensing devices.
Problems solved by this technology:
- Efficient multiplexing: The optical multiplexer allows for the combination of multiple laser beams with different wavelengths onto the same optical path, simplifying the multiplexing process.
- Space-saving design: The linear arrangement of the light sources and the use of a transmission-type diffraction grating help to minimize the size and complexity of the multiplexer.
- Precise wavelength control: The distance between the light sources is set to satisfy a specific equation, ensuring precise control over the wavelengths of the laser beams.
Benefits of this technology:
- Increased capacity: The multiplexer enables the simultaneous transmission of multiple optical signals with different wavelengths, increasing the capacity of optical communication systems.
- Compact and simplified design: The optical multiplexer is designed to be compact and easy to integrate into various optical systems.
- Enhanced performance: By combining laser beams with different wavelengths, the multiplexer can improve the performance and capabilities of optical sensing and spectroscopic instruments.
Original Abstract Submitted
An optical multiplexer includes a plurality of light sources that emit a plurality of laser beams having different wavelengths, a collimator that collimates a plurality of laser beams emitted from a plurality of light sources, and a diffraction grating that diffracts a plurality of laser beams collimated by the collimator and emits a plurality of laser beams along a same optical path, the diffraction grating being of a transmission-type. A plurality of light sources are linearly arranged on an incident side focal plane of the collimator, a grating surface of the diffraction grating is disposed on an emission side focal plane of the collimator, and distance D between two adjacent light sources is set to satisfy D=f×(λ−λ)/p, where λ, λ(λ>λ) are respectively wavelengths of laser beams emitted from the two adjacent light sources.
