Abstract:
The present invention is a lens system used to relay the light from one region to another and increase the workable optical path length to make Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) devices with a high port count. Inside the WDM device based on thin filters, collimators produce parallel light beams, and when the light path is over the collimator working distance, there can be substantial coupling loss. However, within the working distance, light can pass through the filters and collimators to follow the zig-zag pattern and eventually couple into a desired fiber without substantial insertion loss. A lens relay system can increase the optical path length to achieve high port count DWDM without fiber routing that takes more space and without a high coupling loss that is caused by multiple coupling between free space and fibers.
Abstract:
The invention teaches the design and assembly configurations for a free space DWDM device. Particularly, when using the free space DWDM devices for channel spacing less than 200 GHz, a small angle of incidence requires a longer optical path and adjustments must be made by folding the optical path or using double layers of optical components such as collimators to shorten the device and obtain the compact dimensions of the DWDM device. The design of the compact optical devices are implemented and assembled with various positioning and mounting methods for the newly designed optical base member, collimators, and filters to obtain the desired compact free space DWDM devices
Abstract:
In the field of fiber optic communication, Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) devices are used to combine wavelengths of light onto a single strand of fiber. To construct a WDM device, the optical components such as mirrors and filters must be cut in precise angles and positioned in parallel orientations to separate or combine wavelengths of light. The expenditure for implementation of free-space WDM devices can be prodigiously high and costly for compact devices. Techniques for designing optical components to manufacture a compact free-space WDM device including a surface mount assembly are disclosed. In addition to the common optical components used in a WDM device, a hybrid subassembly is included to assist in the orientation of optical components when manufacturing the compact device.