View source for 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)

=MICROMECHANICALLY-TUNABLE POLARIZATION ROTATOR FOR PHOTONIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS=


==Organization Name==

[[:Category:The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy|The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy]]


[[Category:The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy]]

==Inventor(s)==

[[:Category:Marcel W. Pruessner of Washington DC (US)|Marcel W. Pruessner of Washington DC (US)]][[Category:Marcel W. Pruessner of Washington DC (US)]]

[[:Category:Todd H. Stievater of Arlington VA (US)|Todd H. Stievater of Arlington VA (US)]][[Category:Todd H. Stievater of Arlington VA (US)]]

[[:Category:Nathan F. Tyndall of Alexandria VA (US)|Nathan F. Tyndall of Alexandria VA (US)]][[Category: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.



[[Category:G02B6/27]]
[[Category:G02B6/35]]
[[Category:G02B6/126]]