Abstract:
One aspect of the invention is a spectrophotometer detection circuit (189, 934, 1031). In this aspect of the invention, currents attributable to reference and sample beams are cancelled in the current mode. The detection circuit produces a first voltage proportional to the difference in currents and a second voltage proportional to one of the reference or sample beams. Both voltages are available to allow simultaneous measurement and analysis. Another aspect of the invention concerns thermal stability. According to the invention, thermal conductivity is established among the housing (112, 900, 1000) and optical system components to promote equilibrium. Another preferred embodiment has a unitary solid metal housing (900, 1000) with a hollowed portion (900a, 1000a) defined to mount and place optical system components. Recognition and identification of important noise sources in spectrophotometers forms an aspect of the invention contributing to the features and combinations of features in preferred embodiments.
Abstract:
A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer (WDM) for use in an optical network and in an optical performance monitor that minimizes increases in insertion losses over temperature variations. The WDM has a structure for holding at least one optical component. A diffraction grating assembly having a substrate is held in relation to the at least one optical component by the structure. A lens assembly having a focal length is held in relation to the at least one optical component. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the lens assembly and structure are approximately equal. The lens assembly is constructed from a material chosen to minimize its variance in focal length over temperature. The grating assembly has an angular dispersion that changes with temperature and the product of the focal length and angular dispersion remains constant over temperature. The WDM further comprises a prism having a change in index of refraction with temperature that is approximately equal to a negative of a coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate. The substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to a negative of a coefficient of thermal expansion of air.
Abstract:
A monitor device and method for monitoring operating conditions of a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal. The monitor device includes an optical engine for receiving the multiplexed optical signal and generating a plurality of demultiplexed optical signals. An array of optical detectors is disposed to receive the demultiplexed optical signals from the optical engine. The demultiplexed optical signals form spots on the array of optical detectors. At least one spot is wider than a center-to-center dimension spanning two optical detector elements in the array of optical detectors.
Abstract:
The invention is related to an optical device with a wavelength monitor for a WDM system, with an etalon (2) and at least one other opto electronic component in a housing (1), with means (3) for influencing the temperature of at least one of the opto electronic components, with a defined gas atmosphere in the housing. The invention is also related to special means (4,5,6) to influence the gas density in the gap between the etalon plates.
Abstract:
A monochromator comprises an optical ray input section which limits the width of optical rays input from a light source, a first concave mirror for converting the optical rays passing through the optical ray input section into parallel rays, a diffraction grating for separating the parallel rays by wavelength into diffracted rays, a second concave mirror for condensing the diffracted rays when the diffracted rays are input, an optical ray output section which limits a wavelength band width of the condensed rays, and a substrate to which the optical ray input section, the first concave mirror, the diffraction grating, the second concave mirror, and the optical ray output section are fixed. A coefficient of linear expansion of a focal length of the first concave mirror, a coefficient of linear expansion of a focal length of the second concave mirror, and a coefficient of linear expansion of a material forming the substrate in the monochromator are approximately the same.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a dispersive holographic spectrometer (12) for analyzing radiation from an infrared source (16). The holographic spectrometer (12) comprises a piezoelectric block (40) having a holographic lens (38) on one face, an array of detectors (36) on another face and a pair of vernier electrodes (32, 34) on opposite faces. Radiation from the source (16) incident upon the holographic lens (38) is dispersed into component wavelengths (44, 46) and directed towards the detector array (36). The holographic lens (38) has a holographic interference pattern recorded on it such that radiation of predetermined wavelength components are dispersed sufficiently enough such that radiation of specific wavelengths falls on different detector elements (48) of the detector array (36). By applying a voltage to the electrodes (32, 38), an electric field is created within the piezoelectric block (40) such that it is either compressed or expanded. This change in the piezoelectric block (40) alters the direction of the radiation from the holographic lens (38) to the detector array (36). Therefore, misalignment of the source (16) with the holographic lens (38) can be compensated for such that piezoelectric adjustment of the block (40) will make the radiation of individual wavelengths fall on the desired detector element (48). Further, radiation from different wavelengths can be directed from one detector element to another. The detector array (36) is self-scanning such that an absorption spectrum can be measured and recorded over a range of frequencies.
Abstract:
Ein besonders dauerhaftes und thermisch stabiles Chassis für optische Geräte wird durch die Verwendung von verdichteter Keramik erreicht. Der thermische Ausdehnungskoeffizient dieses Werkstoff kann dem des verwendeten optischen Glases gleich gemacht werden. Besonders günstig ist die Ausbildung des Chassis als 3-dimensionales Hohlgerüst.