Patent ID: 6351587
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical delay line capable of receiving an optical input signal and of outputting a plurality of copies of the input signal that are delayed in time with respect to each other, the delay line comprising:a plurality of optical fibers each having an input end, and positioned substantially in a single physical plane and in nested relation each to the others such that each of the plurality of optical fibers has a unique predetermined optical length; and an optical splitter arranged to produce a plurality of copies of the input signal and provide one copy of the input signal substantially simultaneously to each one of the plurality of input ends; whereby each of the plurality of copies traverses a particular one of the plurality of optical fibers over a unique interval in time to arrive at an output end of the particular one of the fibers, the unique time interval being related to the predetermined optical length of the particular one of the fibers, wherein each fiber includes one or more fiber segments, wherein the one or more fiber segments include: an input segment, wherein the input segment includes the input end, and individual ones of the input segments for the plurality of optical fibers are collectively and co-linearly positioned substantially in the single physical plane so that the input ends of the individual ones of the input segments lie on a line substantially perpendicular to the individual ones of the co-linear input segments; an output segment, wherein the output segment includes the output end, and individual ones of the output segments for the plurality of optical fibers are collectively and co-linearly positioned substantially in the single physical plane so that the output ends of the individual ones of the output segments lie on a line substantially perpendicular to the individual ones of the co-linear output segments; and a connecting segment, wherein individual ones of the connecting segments for the plurality of optical fibers are collectively and nestedly positioned in the single physical plane, wherein ones of the plurality of input segments have substantially equivalent optical lengths, ones of the plurality of output segments have substantially equivalent optical lengths and each of the plurality of connecting segments has a unique predetermined optical length.