Joseph R Dempewolf

US Patent:

6343169, Jan 29, 2002

Filed:

May 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/583764

Inventors:

Joseph R. Dempewolf - Des Montes NM
Robert K. Wade - Boca Raton FL
Ian Turner - Stratham NH

Assignee:

LightChip, Inc. - Salem NH

International Classification:

G02B 634

US Classification:

385 37, 385 24, 359130

Abstract:

A family of ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices are disclosed. In the case of an ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing device, a wavelength division multiplexing device is used for combining at least one plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a corresponding at least one single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, wherein the wavelength division multiplexing device has an input element and an output element. A plurality of optical input devices is disposed proximate the input element, wherein each of the plurality of optical input devices communicates a plurality of monochromatic optical beams to the wavelength division multiplexing device for combining the plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam. A corresponding plurality of optical output devices is disposed proximate the output element, wherein each of the plurality of optical output devices receives a corresponding single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.

US Patent:

6591040, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Jan 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/056487

Inventors:

Joseph R. Dempewolf - Des Montes NM
Robert K. Wade - Boca Raton FL
Ian Turner - Stratham NH

Assignee:

Confluent Photonics Corporation - Salem NH

International Classification:

G02B 634

US Classification:

385 37, 385 24, 359130

Abstract:

A family of ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices are disclosed. In the case of an ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing device, a wavelength division multiplexing device is used for combining at least one plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a corresponding at least one single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, wherein the wavelength division multiplexing device has an input element and an output element. A plurality of optical input devices is disposed proximate the input element, wherein each of the plurality of optical input devices communicates a plurality of monochromatic optical beams to the wavelength division multiplexing device for combining the plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam. A corresponding plurality of optical output devices is disposed proximate the output element, wherein each of the plurality of optical output devices receives a corresponding single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.

US Patent:

60118849, Jan 4, 2000

Filed:

Dec 13, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/990197

Inventors:

Robert H. Dueck - Santa Ana CA
Robert K. Wade - Edgewood NM
Boyd V. Hunter - Albuquerque NM
Joseph R. Dempewolf - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

LightChip, Inc. - Salem NH

International Classification:

G02B 628

US Classification:

385 24

Abstract:

A wavelength division multiplexer is provided that integrates an axial gradient refractive index element with a diffraction grating to provide efficient coupling from a plurality of input optical sources (each delivering a single wavelength to the device) which are multiplexed to a single polychromatic beam for output to a single output optical receiver. The device comprises: (a) means for accepting optical input from at least one optical source, the means including a planar surface; (b) a coupler element comprising (1) an axial gradient refractive index collimating lens having a planar entrance surface onto which the optical input is incident and (2) a homogeneous index boot lens affixed to the axial gradient refractive index collimating lens and having a planar but tilted exit surface; (c) a diffraction grating, such as a Littrow diffraction grating, on the tilted surface of the homogeneous index boot lens which combines a plurality of spatially separated wavelengths from the optical light; and (d) means to output at least one multiplexed, polychromatic output beam, the means including a planar surface. The device may be operated in the forward direction as a multiplexer or in the reverse direction as a demultiplexer.

US Patent:

60118857, Jan 4, 2000

Filed:

Dec 13, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/990198

Inventors:

Joseph R. Dempewolf - Albuquerque NM
Robert K. Wade - Edgewood NM
Robert H. Dueck - Santa Ana CA
Boyd V. Hunter - Albuquerque NM
Alan E. Willner - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

LightChip, Inc. - Salem NH

International Classification:

G02B 632

US Classification:

385 34

Abstract:

A wavelength division multiplexer integrating a dispersive element having a gradient refractive index with optical lenses to provide efficient coupling from a plurality of input optical fibers (each delivering a plurality of discrete wavelengths to the device) which are multiplexed to a single polychromatic beam for output to a single output optical fiber. The device comprises: (a) an input means for accepting a plurality of optical input beams of different wavelengths from a plurality of optical sources, the means including a planar front surface onto which the optical beams are incident; (b) a dispersive element comprising a radial (or axial) gradient refractive index for combining the plurality of optical input beams into a single optical beam and operatively associated with the planar front surface; (c) a coupler subsystem secured to the dispersive element and comprising (1) a first homogeneous index boot lens having a planar front surface onto which the single optical beam from the dispersive element is incident, (2) an axial gradient refractive index collimating lens affixed to the first homogeneous index boot lens, and (3) a planar back surface from which the single optical beam exits, operatively associated with the axial gradient refractive index collimating lens; and (d) an output means for outputting at least one multiplexed, polychromatic output beam to an optical receiver, the means including the planar back surface. The device is fully bi-directional and may be operated in the forward direction as a multiplexer and in the reverse direction as a demultiplexer.

US Patent:

59996722, Dec 7, 1999

Filed:

Dec 13, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/990199

Inventors:

Boyd V. Hunter - Albuquerque NM
Robert K. Wade - Edgewood NM
Joseph R. Dempewolf - Albuquerque NM
Ray T. Chen - Austin TX

Assignee:

Light Chip, Inc. - Salem NH

International Classification:

G02B 634

US Classification:

385 37

Abstract:

A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer is provided that integrates axial gradient refractive index elements with a diffraction grating to provide efficient coupling from a plurality of input optical sources (each delivering a single wavelength to the device) which are multiplexed to a single polychromatic beam for output to a single output optical source. The device comprises: (a) means for accepting optical input from at least one optical source, the means including a planar surface; (b) a first coupler element comprising (1) a first axial gradient refractive index collimating lens having a planar entrance surface onto which the optical input is incident and (2) a first homogeneous index boot lens affixed to the first collimating lens and having a planar exit surface from which optical light exits; (c) a diffraction grating formed on the planar exit surface which combines a plurality of angularly separated diffracted wavelengths from the optical light; (d) a reflecting element for reflecting the plurality of diffracted wavelengths; (e) a second coupler element comprising (1) a second homogeneous index boot lens having a planar entrance surface onto which said plurality of diffracted wavelengths is incident and (2) a second axial gradient refractive index collimating lens affixed to the second homogeneous index boot lens; and (f) means for outputting at least one multiplexed, polychromatic output beam to an optical receiver, the means including the planar back surface. The device may be operated in either the forward or the reverse direction.

US Patent:

61379336, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

Feb 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/257045

Inventors:

Boyd V. Hunter - Albuquerque NM
Robert K. Wade - Edgewood NM
Joseph R. Dempewolf - Albuquerque NM
Ray T. Chen - Austin TX

Assignee:

LightChip, Inc. - Salem NH

International Classification:

G02B 634

US Classification:

385 37

Abstract:

A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer is provided that integrates axial gradient refractive index elements with a diffraction grating to provide efficient coupling from a plurality of input optical sources (each delivering a single wavelength to the device) which are multiplexed to a single polychromatic beam for output to a single output optical source. The device comprises: (a) means for accepting an optical input from at least one optical source, the means including a planar surface; (b) a first coupler element comprising (1) a first axial gradient refractive index collimating lens having a planar entrance surface onto which the optical input is incident and (2) a first homogeneous index boot lens affixed to the first collimating lens and having a planar exit surface from which optical light exits; (c) a diffraction grating formed on the planar exit surface which combines a plurality of angularly separated diffracted wavelengths from the optical light; (d) a reflecting element for reflecting the plurality of diffracted wavelengths; (e) a second coupler element comprising (1) a second homogeneous index boot lens having a planar entrance surface onto which said plurality of diffracted wavelengths is incident and (2) a second axial gradient refractive index collimating lens affixed to the second homogeneous index boot lens; and (f) means for outputting at least one multiplexed, polychromatic output beam to an optical receiver, the means including a planar back surface. The device may be operated in either the forward or the reverse direction.

US Patent:

57965250, Aug 18, 1998

Filed:

Oct 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/739859

Inventors:

Joseph R. Dempewolf - Taos NM
Robert K. Wade - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

LightPath Technologies, Inc. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

G02B 300
G02B 1308

US Classification:

359653

Abstract:

An axially-based lens is provided, comprising two biaxial elements, each having entrance and exit surfaces. The exit surface of one of the elements is joined to the entrance surface of the other element, with one of the elements rotated at an angle with respect to the other. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of rotation is 90. degree. The axially-based lens thus comprises four axial sub-elements, and is called a "quadaxial" lens herein. The axially-based lens element has the ability to gather and focus light to a spot with a minimum of spherical aberration and with a substantially uniform distribution of light intensity from center to periphery of the spot. In a preferred embodiment, the lens element focuses light to a square spot size.

US Patent:

58153187, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Oct 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/739860

Inventors:

Joseph R. Dempewolf - Taos NM
Robert K. Wade - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

LightPath Technologies, Inc. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

G02B 300

US Classification:

359653

Abstract:

An optical coupler is provided that comprises one lens component, comprising at least one axially-graded index of refraction element. When the optical coupler component includes one axially-graded index of refraction element, a homogeneous "boot" element is cemented on entrance surface to provide plano-plano coupling. When the optical coupler includes two or more axially-graded index of refraction elements, both entrance and exit surfaces are planar. The optical coupler component may be sized to provide focusing at its exit surface. The axially graded index-based couplers of the present invention comprise a single component, thereby reducing the number of components and the concomitant complexity of the optical system. Further, many of these couplers can be fabricated with plano-plano entrance-exit surfaces, thereby obviating the need for forming curved focusing surfaces and thus avoiding the introduction of air spaces.