18054877. OPTICAL POWER SPLITTERS simplified abstract (Cisco Technology, Inc.)
Contents
- 1 OPTICAL POWER SPLITTERS
- 1.1 Organization Name
- 1.2 Inventor(s)
- 1.3 OPTICAL POWER SPLITTERS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
- 1.4 Simplified Explanation
- 1.5 Potential Applications
- 1.6 Problems Solved
- 1.7 Benefits
- 1.8 Potential Commercial Applications
- 1.9 Possible Prior Art
- 1.10 Unanswered Questions
- 1.11 Original Abstract Submitted
OPTICAL POWER SPLITTERS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Tao Ling of Breinigsville PA (US)
Shiyi Chen of Breinigsville PA (US)
Jean-Luc J. Tambasco of Macungie PA (US)
Ravi S. Tummidi of Breinigsville PA (US)
OPTICAL POWER SPLITTERS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18054877 titled 'OPTICAL POWER SPLITTERS
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes optical splitters that use an asymmetric taper to convert a portion of an optical signal from the fundamental mode to a different order mode, and then transfer the different order mode portion to one branch of an optical mode multiplexer while transmitting the fundamental mode portion through another branch. The optical signal is then converted back to the fundamental mode in the first branch, resulting in both branches outputting signals in the fundamental mode.
- Optical splitters with asymmetric taper
- Conversion of optical signal from fundamental mode to different order mode
- Optical mode multiplexer with two branches
- Transfer of different order mode portion to one branch
- Conversion of optical signal back to fundamental mode
- Output of signals in fundamental mode from both branches
Potential Applications
The technology described in the patent application could be applied in:
- Optical communication systems
- Fiber optic networks
- Optical signal processing
Problems Solved
The technology addresses the following issues:
- Efficient splitting and multiplexing of optical signals
- Conversion between different optical modes
- Maintaining signal integrity in optical systems
Benefits
The benefits of this technology include:
- Improved signal transmission efficiency
- Enhanced signal processing capabilities
- Reduced signal loss in optical networks
Potential Commercial Applications
The technology could find commercial applications in:
- Telecommunications industry
- Data centers
- Optical sensing applications
Possible Prior Art
One possible prior art for this technology could be:
- Optical splitters with fixed splitting ratios
- Optical mode converters
Unanswered Questions
1. How does the asymmetric taper affect the overall efficiency of the optical splitter? 2. Are there any limitations to the range of optical modes that can be converted using this technology?
Original Abstract Submitted
Embodiments herein describe optical splitters that receive an optical signal using a single mode waveguide where the signal is in a fundamental mode. An asymmetric taper can be used to convert a portion of the optical signal from the fundamental mode into a different order mode (e.g., the first-order mode). The optical splitter also includes an optical mode multiplexer with two branches. The portion of the optical signal having the first-order mode is transferred to a first branch of the optical mode mux while the remaining portion of the optical signal having the fundamental mode is transmitted using a second branch of the optical mode mux. Further, coupling the portion of the optical signal into the first branch converts the optical signal from the first-order mode back to the fundamental mode. Thus, both branches in the optical mode mux output optical signals in the fundamental mode.