(19)

(11)

EP 1 506 441 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 11.03.2004 (43) Date of publication: 16.02.2005 Bulletin 2005/07 (21) Application number: 03722862.4 (22) Date of filing: 13.05.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G02B 6/12 (86) International application number: PCT/GB2003/002046 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/096082 (20.11.2003 Gazette 2003/47)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 13.05.2002 GB 0210899 08.11.2002 US 291898 (71) Applicant: Aston Photonic Technologies Ltd. Birmingham B7 4BB (GB)	(72) Inventors: SHU, Xuewen,Indigo Photonics Limited Birmingham B7 4BB (GB) BYRON, Kevin Christopher CM23 3UB (GB) KENNEDY, Lee Ann,Indigo Photonics Ltd Birmingham B7 4BB (GB) SUGDEN, Catherine Anne,Indigo Photonics Ltd Birmingham B7 4BB (GB) (74) Representative: Chapman, Helga  Chapman MolonyRenshaw BarnsUpper Woodford Salisbury SP4 6FA Salisbury SP4 6FA (GB)