Title: Passive thermo-optic feedback for robust athermal photonic systems

Abstract

Thermal control devices, photonic systems and methods of stabilizing a temperature of a photonic system are provided. A thermal control device thermally coupled to a substrate includes a waveguide for receiving light, an absorption element optically coupled to the waveguide for converting the received light to heat and an optical filter. The optical filter is optically coupled to the waveguide and thermally coupled to the absorption element. An operating point of the optical filter is tuned responsive to the heat from the absorption element. When the operating point is less than a predetermined temperature, the received light is passed to the absorption element via the optical filter. When the operating point is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the received light is transmitted out of the thermal control device via the optical filter, without being passed to the absorption element.

Inventors:

Rakich, Peter T.; Watts, Michael R.; Nielson, Gregory N.

Issue Date:

Tue Jun 23 00:00:00 EDT 2015

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1185291

Patent Number(s):

9063354

Application Number:

13/368,127

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02B - OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS

G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02F - DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPTICAL OPERATION OF WHICH IS MODIFIED BY CHANGING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM OF THE DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INTENSITY, COLOUR, PHASE, POLARISATION OR DIRECTION OF LIGHT, e.g. SWITCHING, GATING, MODULATING OR DEMODULATING

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G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02B - OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS

G02B6/02176 - {due to temperature fluctuations}
G02B6/12007 - {forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer}
G02B6/29338 - {Loop resonators}
G02B6/29389 - {Bandpass filtering, e.g. 1x1 device rejecting or passing certain wavelengths
G02B6/29398 - {Temperature insensitivity}
G02B6/35 - having switching means
G02B6/3576 - {Temperature or heat actuation
G02B6/3582 - {Housing means or package or arranging details of the switching elements, e.g. for thermal isolation}

G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02F - DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPTICAL OPERATION OF WHICH IS MODIFIED BY CHANGING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM OF THE DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INTENSITY, COLOUR, PHASE, POLARISATION OR DIRECTION OF LIGHT, e.g. SWITCHING, GATING, MODULATING OR DEMODULATING

G02F1/0147 - {based on thermo-optic effects
G02F1/025 - in an optical waveguide structure
G02F2203/15 - involving resonance effects, e.g. resonantly enhanced interaction

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2012 Feb 07

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS