John Steven Potts

US Patent:

7444045, Oct 28, 2008

Filed:

Oct 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/685049

Inventors:

Xudong Fan - Austin TX, US
John E. Potts - Woodbury MN, US
Terry L. Smith - Roseville MN, US
Robert W. Wilson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/26

US Classification:

385 27, 385 30, 385 31, 385 39, 385 42, 385 43, 385 50, 385 51, 385 52, 385123, 385129, 385130, 385132

Abstract:

Microresonators, such as a microsphere resonators and planar microresonators, are optically coupled to waveguides for input and output of light. It is important that the relative positions of the microresonator and the waveguide are maintained stable, while still maintaining high cavity Q and ease of launching and extracting the optical beams. Structures are provided on a substrate that are useful for maintaining the position of the microresonator relative to the waveguide. The structures provide for vertical or horizontal coupling between the waveguide and the microresonator.