Patent ID: 7302141
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
1. A 1×2 planar optical waveguide signal splitter in the form of a Y-branch comprising a trunk and two branches conjoined thereto to form a vertex, said branches diverging from one another, each of said branches having a surface, at least one of said branches being provided with a heating means wherein the heating means is applied onto the waveguide surface, said heating means having non-uniform cross-sectional areas wherein the cross-sectional areas narrow until the areas reach the narrowest portion disposed in close proximity to the vertex and being disposed with respect to said at least one of said branches such that upon activation of said heating means, a heat flux will be incident upon said at least one of said branches wherein said heat flux produces upon the surface of said branch a heating profile that is a smoothly varying function of position on said surface.