Patent ID: 7805033
Filing Date: 2010-09-28
Classification: G02B,H04J

Abstract:
1. An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer for an optical printed circuit board, the multiplexer/demultiplexer comprising: a first waveguide formed in a first step on a support layer for carrying a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal; a separator/combiner formed in the same step as the first waveguide for separating the wavelength division multiplexed signal into component signals of corresponding wavelengths or for combining component signals into the wavelength division multiplexed signal; plural second waveguides formed in the same step as the first waveguide and the separator/combiner, each of the second waveguides being for receiving or providing one or more of the component signals, wherein the separator/combiner is at a predetermined location relative to the waveguides, the input/output interfaces of the waveguides being shaped to at least partially collimate light passing therethrough; wherein the distance (z) between the first optical waveguide and the optical separator/combiner is determined by the equation: in which D is the diameter or width of the waveguide; λ is the wavelength of the light in question; and, θ is the angle that the rays in question travel from the main longitudinal waveguide axis.