US 12,455,414 B2
Variable dual-directional thermal compensator for arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) modules
Shuyu Zhang, Fremont, CA (US); Glenn Lee, Fremont, CA (US); Taizhong Huang, Zhuhai (CN); Senming Gong, Zhuhai (CN); and Mike C. Huang, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to Molex, LLC, Lisle, IL (US)
Appl. No. 18/016,501
Filed by Molex, LLC, Lisle, IL (US)
PCT Filed Jul. 31, 2021, PCT No. PCT/IB2021/056906
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 17, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/024022, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 3, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/059,204, filed on Jul. 31, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0305227 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. G02B 6/12 (2006.01); G02B 6/13 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/1203 (2013.01) [G02B 6/13 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermal compensator for use in conjunction with an athermal arrayed waveguide grating (AAWG) module utilized for achieving wavelength multiplexing and de-multiplexing within optical networks, comprising:
a frame member having a hollow interior, the frame member being adapted to be connected to an athermal arrayed waveguide grating (AAWG) module;
a central bar member disposed within the hollow interior of the frame member, the central bar member having a substantially T-shaped configuration with transversely extending arms located at a head portion of the substantially T-shaped central bar member, wherein the transversely extending arms of the central bar member are attached at opposing sections of the frame member for increasing thermal expansion of the frame member in a direction perpendicular to an axis defining the opposing sections;
wherein the frame member is fabricated from a first predetermined material which has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and the central bar member is fabricated from a second predetermined material which has a second CTE which is less than the first CTE of the first predetermined material comprising the frame member.