Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators in the Planar OptoElectronic Technology; and Implementation of 1550 nm Optoelectronics in the Planar OptoElectronic Technology
- (OPE-075; PROV 61/962,303; 14/222,841)
Above is part of the entry in the latest NR from PTK.
Some have expressed uncertainty over the meaning of these terms, and I offer my understanding. 1550 nm refers to the wavelength of the light issued by a laser source. In general, this a longer wavelength of light (it is in the blue range). Because wavelength and frequency have a direct relationship, it means that the light frequency is higher. The consequence is that the light is more energetic than shorter wave lengths and will transmit further as a consequence. I suspect its practicality is related to this ability.
The term Whispering Gallery refers to the dome of Saint Paul's Cathedral, London, UK where its designer: Sir Christopher Wren, produced a dome which could transmit sound so that you could hear the source voice on the other side of the dome with ease (try it if you can, it does work). In electronic terms, my understanding it is a method of allowing a signal to resonate around a designed enclosure and enable multiple distribution points with magnification so that the signal can be distributed to different exit points. It applies to a light or an electrical signal. The practicalities in laser technology and other devices are legion.
David