| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090123149 | End-user optical transceiver unit with transmit signal attentuation - A transceiver unit for use at an end-location in a communications network includes a downstream monitor configured to monitor downstream optical signals that travel from a service provider to the end-location. The downstream optical signals carry downstream data for use by a device in communication with the transceiver unit. At least a portion of the optical path traveled by the downstream optical signals is on a common optical fiber that carries downstream optical signals for other end locations. The transceiver unit also includes an upstream attenuator configured to attenuate upstream optical signals traveling from the end-location to the service provider. At least a portion of the optical path traveled by the upstream optical signals is on the common optical fiber. The transceiver unit also includes electronics configured to operate the upstream optical attenuator in response to output from the downstream monitor. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090129720 | Efficient transfer of light signals between optical devices - An optical device includes a waveguide immobilized on a base. The device includes a port configured to receive light signals from the waveguide such that the light signals travel through the port. The light signals enter the port traveling in a first direction. The port is configured to change the direction of the light signals from the first direction to a second direction that is toward a location above the device or below the device. The device also includes a wedge configured to receive the light signals from the port such that the light signals travel through the wedge and then exit the wedge traveling in a direction that is at an angle in a range of 88° to 92° relative to the device and that is toward a location above or below the device. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090324173 | INTERFACE BETWEEN LIGHT SOURCE AND OPTICAL COMPONENT - An optical system includes an optical device having waveguides defined in a first light transmitting medium. The optical device includes stops extending upward from a laser platform. The system also includes a laser bar having a plurality of lasers. The laser bar is positioned on the platform such that each laser is aligned with one of the waveguides. The laser bar includes alignment trenches that each includes a secondary stop extending upward from a bottom of the alignment trench. The secondary stop includes layers of material having different composition. The stops each extend into an alignment trenches such that each stop contacts one of the secondary stops. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100207223 | Optical device having light sensor employing horizontal electrical field - The optical device includes a waveguide and a light sensor on a base. The light sensor includes a light-absorbing medium configured to receive a light signal from the waveguide. The light sensor also includes field sources for generating an electrical field in the light-absorbing medium. The field sources are configured so the electrical field is substantially parallel to the base. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100296812 | Multi-channel optical device - The multi-channel optical device includes a demultiplexer in a laser cavity. The demultiplexer is configured to demultiplex a multi-channel light beam into a plurality of channels. The demultiplexer limits the wavelengths of the channels that are output from the laser cavity. The gain element includes quantum dots as the gain medium. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110095167 | System having light sensor with enhanced sensitivity - The optical device includes a waveguide and a light sensor on a base. The light sensor includes a ridge extending from slab regions positioned on opposing sides of the ridge. The ridge includes a multiplication layer and an absorption layer. The absorption layer is positioned to receive at least a portion of the light signal from the waveguide. Additionally, the absorption layer generates a hole and electron pair in response to receiving a photon of the light signal. The multiplication layer is positioned to receive the electron generated in the absorption layer and to generate additional electrons in response to receiving the electron. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110142390 | Optical device having modulator employing horizontal electrical field - The optical device includes a waveguide on a base. The device also includes a modulator on the base. The modulator includes an electro-absorption medium configured to receive a light signal from the waveguide. The modulator also includes field sources for generating an electrical field in the electro-absorption medium. The electro-absorption medium is a medium in which the Franz-Keldysh effect occurs in response to the formation of the electrical field in the electro-absorption medium. The field sources are configured so the electrical field is substantially parallel to the base. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110150392 | Reducing optical loss in reflective optical gratings - An optical device includes a light-transmitting medium on a base. The light-transmitting medium at least partially defines a free propagation region through which light signals travel. A reflective grating is positioned such that light signals can travel through the free propagation region and be received by the optical grating. The optical grating is configured to reflect the received light signal back into the free propagation region. The optical grating reflects the light signals such that light signals associated with different wavelengths separate as the light signals travel through the free propagation region. The portion of the light-transmitting medium that defines the free propagation region has a facet through with the light signals are transmitted. The grating includes a buffer layer between the facet and a reflecting layer that is configured to reflect the light signals received by the grating. | 06-23-2011 |
