Patent ID: 6819871
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical demultiplexer that separates an input optical signal into a plurality of channels by wavelength, comprising:(a) a first plurality of optical structures formed simultaneously on different regions of a first common substrate using vapor deposition, each optical structure in the first plurality being comprised of a plurality of thin-film layers, wherein each of the plurality of thin-film layers in at least a first optical structure in the first plurality has a first substantially uniform thickness that is associated with a first channel, each of the plurality of thin-film layers in a second optical structure in the first plurality has a second substantially uniform thickness that is associated with at least a second optical channel different from the first optical channel, wherein a gradient transition region comprised of the plurality of thin-film layers is positioned between the first optical structure and the second optical structure, the gradient transition region having a first end adjacent to the first optical structure and a second end adjacent to the second optical structure, each of the plurality of thin-film layers in the gradient transition region having a thickness equal to the first substantially uniform thickness at the first end, each of the plurality of thin-film layers in the gradient transition region having a thickness equal to the second substantially uniform thickness at the second end, and wherein the thickness of each of the plurality of thin-film layers throughout the gradient transition region is greater than or equal to the first substantially uniform thickness and less than or equal to the second substantially uniform thickness; (b) a reflector having a surface parallel to a surface of the first common substrate; (c) the optical demultiplexer having a transport region between the first plurality of the optical structures and the reflector, and an aperture disposed at at least one end of the transport region, wherein the first plurality of optical structures are disposed along a length of the transport region; and (d) wherein, when the input optical signal is provided to the aperture, output optical signals associated with at least the first and second channels are generated at separate positions along the length of the transport region.