WAVELENGTH TUNABLE OPTICAL FILTER USING ELECTRICAL PULSE RESPONSE CHARACTERISTIC, AND OPTICAL SENSOR SYSTEM USING SAME

摘要

The present invention relates to a wavelength tunable optical filter and an optical sensor system using the same. The wavelength tunable optical filter comprises: an optical waveguide body comprising a core layer, a wavelength adjusting unit which can control wavelengths of lights transmitted or reflected with respect to incident lights to the core layer, and a clad covering an area corresponding to the wavelength adjusting unit and formed from an electro-optical material where a reflective index is changed by an applied electric energy; an electric pulse generating unit connected to the optical waveguide body in order to apply a pulse potential to the optical waveguide body; and a control unit which controls the driving of the electric pulse generating unit such that the pulse potential is applied during a first hour set by the electric pulse generating unit. The first hour is applied a response time until the electro-optical material forming the clad is changed to a stable state by the reflective index corresponding to an applied potential, such that a wavelength of lights transmitted or reflected by the wavelength adjusting unit is changed for the first hour. According to such wavelength tunable optical filter and an optical sensor system using the same, wavelengths can be tunable by using a linear wavelength tunable characteristic during a response time, a unique characteristic of the electro-optical material, such that a structure is simplified.;COPYRIGHT KIPO 2016