Appeal No. 2005-0783
Application No. 10/039,094
Rejection (7)
This rejection is affirmed.
Kim ‘342 discloses a method for forming a single-mode grating
on an optical fiber by using a laser beam to deform the molecular
structure of the portions of the fiber exposed to the beam (Kim:
col. 1, ll. 58-67; Fig. 1).
As indicated by the examiner, Fig. 2 of Kim ‘342 suggests that
a two-mode fiber grating may be fabricated by generating
deformations, i.e. exposed portions 30', from opposite sides of the
fiber so that the portions 30' are “asymmetrically formed along the
fiber axis” (col. 2, ll. 2-9).
We agree with the examiner that one of ordinary skill in the
art would have drawn a reasonable inference from the Kim disclosure
(taken in conjunction with Fig. 2) that a second laser beam,
circumferentially and axially displaced relative to the first beam,
would be required on the other side of the fiber (relative to the
side exposed in Fig. 1) to form the “two-mode” pattern of exposed
regions shown in Fig. 2. Appellants have failed to present any
convincing argument or evidence in rebuttal.
For the foregoing reasons, the decision of the examiner is
affirmed.
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