Title:
PHOTOTHERMAL OPTICAL SIGNAL LIMITER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2002050586
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
An optical signal limiter (1) is provided for limiting transmission of a continuous wave optical signal that exceeds a preselected threshold power level. The limiter (1) includes a body (3) having input and output ends (5a, 5b) that is formed at least in part from a material having a negative thermal index coefficient of between about -.5 x 10 &cir& -4 DEG C &cir& -1 and -4.0 x 10 &cir& -4 DEG C &cir& -1 and an absorption coefficient of between 1.0 to 5.0 dB/cm at wavelengths between 980-1650 nm. The limiter (1) also includes collimating fibers (11a, 11b) mounted on the input and output ends (5a, 5b) to minimize low power signal losses across the limiter body (3). It may be installed at a junction between two optical fibers (7, 9) and is preferably formed from a curable adhesive having the aforementioned negative thermal index coefficient to obviate the need for separate bonding materials and joining steps during the installation of the limiter (1). The optical limiter (1) is reusable and with a recovery time of 1-5 milliseconds advantageously prevents power surges in optical circuits from damaging sensitive optical components by limiting the amplitude of such surges within 0.2-0.5 milliseconds.
Inventors:
BOOKBINDER DANA C
CARACCI STEPHEN J
DEROSA MICHAEL E
LESLIE THOMAS M
LOGUNOV STEPHAN L
CARACCI STEPHEN J
DEROSA MICHAEL E
LESLIE THOMAS M
LOGUNOV STEPHAN L
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/043576
Publication Date:
August 22, 2002
Filing Date:
November 15, 2001
Export Citation:
Assignee:
CORNING INC (US)
International Classes:
G02B6/26; G02F1/01; (IPC1-7): G02B6/26; G02B6/42
Foreign References:
| US6278821B1 | 2001-08-21 | |||
| US5172278A | 1992-12-15 |
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