20240036259. MICROMECHANICALLY-TUNABLE POLARIZATION ROTATOR FOR PHOTONIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS simplified abstract (The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy)

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MICROMECHANICALLY-TUNABLE POLARIZATION ROTATOR FOR PHOTONIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

Organization Name

The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy

Inventor(s)

Marcel W. Pruessner of Washington DC (US)

Todd H. Stievater of Arlington VA (US)

Nathan F. Tyndall of Alexandria VA (US)

MICROMECHANICALLY-TUNABLE POLARIZATION ROTATOR FOR PHOTONIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240036259 titled 'MICROMECHANICALLY-TUNABLE POLARIZATION ROTATOR FOR PHOTONIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes an apparatus that includes a polarization rotator and a polarization splitter. These components are used to control polarization rotation and splitting within optical waveguides. The polarization rotator consists of a movable symmetry-breaking micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) dielectric perturber, which is separated from the first optical waveguide by a gap. The MEMS actuator moves the dielectric perturber to control the gap and thereby control polarization rotation. The polarization splitter includes a second optical waveguide separated from the first optical waveguide by a gap. The MEMS actuator in the polarization splitter controls the gap to control polarization splitting between the optical waveguides.

  • The apparatus includes a polarization rotator and a polarization splitter.
  • The polarization rotator consists of a first optical waveguide, a MEMS dielectric perturber, and a MEMS actuator.
  • The MEMS dielectric perturber is separated from the first optical waveguide by a gap.
  • The MEMS actuator moves the dielectric perturber to control the gap and polarization rotation.
  • The polarization splitter includes a second optical waveguide and a MEMS actuator.
  • The second optical waveguide is separated from the first optical waveguide by a gap.
  • The MEMS actuator in the polarization splitter controls the gap and polarization splitting.

Potential Applications:

  • Optical communication systems
  • Optical signal processing
  • Optical sensing devices
  • Optical switches and routers

Problems Solved:

  • Controlling polarization rotation and splitting in optical waveguides
  • Improving the performance and efficiency of optical communication systems
  • Enabling precise control of polarization in optical devices

Benefits:

  • Enhanced functionality and control in optical systems
  • Improved signal quality and transmission efficiency
  • Compact and integrated design for space-saving applications
  • Potential for cost reduction in optical devices and systems


Original Abstract Submitted

an apparatus includes a polarization rotator or a polarization splitter. the polarization rotator and the polarization splitter each includes a first optical waveguide. the polarization rotator further includes a movable symmetry-breaking micro-electro-mechanical systems (“mems”) dielectric perturber separated from the first optical waveguide by a gap. the first optical waveguide and the mems dielectric perturber define a gap therebetween. the polarization rotator also includes a mems actuator moving the mems dielectric perturber so as to control the gap, thereby controlling polarization rotation within the first optical waveguide. the polarization splitter includes a second optical waveguide separated from the first optical waveguide by a gap. the polarization splitter also includes a mems actuator moving the first optical waveguide and/or the second optical waveguide so as to control the gap, thereby controlling polarization splitting between the optical waveguides.

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