Abstract: An optical waveguide device includes an active optical waveguide device and a passive optical waveguide device. The active optical waveguide device is formed at least in part on a semiconductor layer and includes an electrode portion. A region of altered effective mode index is created by the active optical waveguide device and controlled by application of an electric voltage to the electrode portion in a manner that alters a free carrier density of the region of altered effective mode index. Changing the electric voltage to the electrode portion changes the effective mode index in the region of altered effective mode index. The passive optical waveguide device is formed at least in part from a polysilicon layer deposited on the semiconductor layer. An effective mode index of a region of static effective mode index within the optical waveguide is created by the polysilicon layer of the passive optical waveguide device.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method and apparatus for detecting and characterizing one or more ingress events in the return band and creating a time/frequency map based on the detection of the ingress events. The time/frequency map is further characterized by marking frequency bands with ingress level above a predetermined threshold with a “1”. The time/frequency time map may be used to determine when and which return frequency band has exceeded a predetermined threshold, and to distinguish between a narrowband ingress event and a wideband ingress event. When such characterization has been made, the return path may be attenuated or disconnected at a communications gateway device located at or substantially near the subscriber location. By disconnecting the return path or attenuating the return path signal at or near the subscriber location, the ingress may be reduced and locations which are the cause of severe ingress may be effectively isolated.

Abstract: An interruptible power supply module, located at a customer's premise, functions to reduce the demand on a power utility company. As a power utility senses a critical power supply demand situation, it sends an “interrupt power” control signal through an alternative communications network (a telecommunications network, for example), to each subscribing customer. Upon receipt of the “interrupt” control signal, a switch is activated in the customer's interruptible power supply module to remove a pre-defined “interruptible” load for a predetermined period of time (perhaps not to exceed 15 minutes in any hour). The module may also be used to “gracefully” add interruptible loads back onto the system after a complete power outage.

Abstract: An optical wire board which utilizes a silicon substrate as the base for both the optical subassembly and the electrical RF transmitting circuit. An optical fiber is preferably passively aligned to the active optical device mounted on the optical subassembly using a V-groove etched into the silicon (and may include a lens or other optical element positioned between the fiber and the active device). An integrated circuit for coupling the active optical device to external contacts is preferably flip-chip mounted to the silicon substrate upon pads disposed on precisely defined edges around a cavity etched beneath the circuit, the inclusion of the cavity beneath the electrical circuit functioning to minimize the dielectric loading effect of the silicon substrate on the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A filled-core optical fiber and method where the optical fiber is collapsed at opposing ends subsequent to the active optical material being introduced into the hollow core region. The collapsing-functions to “pinch off” the active material (which may be a liquid or solid) within the fiber structure and also collapse the cladding layer ring surrounding the core into a solid core region on either side of the active material. The filled-core fiber is then sealed and can be coupled to standard fiber using conventional splicing processes.

Abstract: A sled exerciser used, for example, in tackling or blocking practice in football training, comprises a sled, slidably attached to a frame, where the sled includes padding on one side. An adjustable weight mechanism is attached to the sled and provides continuous resistance against an individual as the sled is pushed, as in tackle/blocking practice.

Abstract: A technique for measuring the modal power distribution of an optical source (for example, a laser) launching pulses into a multimode fiber involves a characterization of the multimode fiber itself in terms of its differential modal delay. A reverse differential mode delay measurement is then performed to characterize the interaction of the optical source with the multimode fiber. By knowing these characteristics, the modal power distribution of the source into the fiber can then be determined by using a reconstruction algorithm.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring the true position of a diaphragm within a diaphragm valve assembly utilizes a thin conductive element disposed in the valve between the diaphragm membrane and the actuator. The conductive element and the valve body are then used as the plates of a parallel plate capacitor, where the measured capacitance will vary as a function of the position of the diaphragm mambrane, having a first value when the diaphragm is in the “open” position and a second value when the diaphragm is in the “closed” position. Position values between the “open” and “closed” positions can also be determined, as well as the presence of different fluids within the valve body when the valve is in the “open” position.

Abstract: A semiconductor optical device structure includes passivated facets formed by first removing the native oxide contaminant with a “non-reactive” molecular gas etchant, such as XeF2. As the oxide is removed, a passivation flux is introduced into the vacuum chamber so as to begin the process of forming a passivation layer to cover the exposed facet surface. The gas etchant is slowly turned off and the flux is increased so as to form a passivation layer of the desired thickness on the “cleaned” facet surface. A protective film is then be evaporated to cover the passivation layer.

Abstract: A method of measuring the thickness of ultra-thin (e.g., <200 Å) oxide formed on a semiconductor device uses a reference sample (i.e., another silicon wafer) which has been pre-processed to include a relatively thick oxide surface layer. The thickness of the reference oxide (t) is measured using any conventional technique (such as an ellipsometer). An ultra-thin oxide is then simultaneously formed on both the reference sample and semiconductor device. The total oxide thickness (T) of the dual-layer structure on the reference sample is then measured (again, using any conventional technique), and the difference between the two measured values (T−t=&dgr;) is defined as the thickness of the ultra-thin oxide layer.

Abstract: A transmission fiber for use in a Raman amplified optical communication system is formed to exhibit certain characteristics that limit modulation instability and four-wave mixing in the amplification region, thus reducing the noise component present in the transmission system. In particular, the group-velocity dispersion (denoted as D and measured in terms of ps/nm-km) is restricted to be either non-positive or greater than +1.5 ps/nm-km in the pump wavelength range of interest (a typical pump wavelength range being 1430-1465 nm). Preferably, the magnitude of the dispersion is kept below a value of 10 ps/nm-km in the signal wavelength range of interest (e.g., the “C” band or “L” band). Four-wave mixing is reduced by ensuring that the zero-dispersion frequency of the transmission fiber is not centered between the pump frequency and a frequency experiencing Raman gain.

Abstract: A medical record coat for a dog comprises a transparent coat upon which can be marked the location and size of various tumors as they are discovered on the animal's body. The ability to maintain a visual record of the tumor history of the dog allows the treating professional to track the treatment process of the animal. The medical record coat is then maintained as part of the medical history of the animal.

Abstract: A broadband impedance matching circuit for use with an optical device such as an electroabsorption optical modulator comprises a microstrip transmission line, including pairs of like-sized open stubs disposed on opposite sides of the transmission line along its length. The number of open stubs, as well as their dimensions and location are chosen to provide for broadband impedance matching (from dc to several GHz) between an external electrical signal source and the optical device.

Abstract: An e-beam deposition method and apparatus uses a metallic target and localized oxygen ambient to produce an oxide film for deposition. A metallic target is first heated, then exposed to a stream of oxide, resulting in the formation of a relatively thin layer of oxide on the metallic target surface. Since the oxide has a higher vapor pressure than the underlying metal, when the target is impinged by an electron-beam current, the oxide will preferentially vaporize and be deflected toward the surface to coated.

Abstract: An optical receiver is formed to include a digitally-controlled preamplifier that is used to adjust the bandwidth of the receiver. A measured bandwidth of the receiver is compared to a desired bandwidth and a digital control signal (such as a voltage, current, or any other appropriate parameter) supplied to the preamplifier is thereafter adjusted (either increased or decreased) to increase/decrease the bandwidth of the receiver to the desired value. A voltage regulator and potentiometer may be used as the digital controller and coupled to the input voltage supply of the preamplifier to provide the needed adjustment in voltage.

Abstract: A fiber amplifier, such as a rare-earth doped fiber amplifier, includes at least two separate sections of (doped) fiber, where residual pump power remaining in one stage (for example, the output stage) of the amplifier is coupled into, and re-used by, the remaining section of (doped) fiber. In particular, a second, longer section of fiber is directly pumped by an externally supplied pump signal and a first, shorter section of doped fiber uses residual pump power from the second section as a pump signal input.

Abstract: A fiber array connector is passively self-aligned to provide optical coupling between a first N×M array of optical fibers and a second N×M array of optical fibers. Each fiber array is inserted in a separate half of the connector, where each individual fiber is then supported through an aperture in a fiber array connector piece part. The connector piece part comprises a stack of substrate members, processed to include apertures for supporting the fibers in an array formation. The top substrate member of each stack is further processed to include alignment apertures so that as the two fiber array connector halves are mated the alignment fiducials on the connector piece parts will mate and self-align the fiber arrays.

Abstract: A self-mode-locking (SML) mid-infrared (5 and 8 &mgr;m) quantum cascade laser is formed that comprises both a relatively thin dielectric insulating layer (i.e., less than one-half micron in thickness) overlaid with an optically highly lossy (i.e., absorbing) layer, with a relatively long (approximately 3.5 mm) optical waveguide. Evidence of mode-locking is obtained from the measured optical spectra and corresponding interferograms, as well as from the rf spectra of the photocurrent detected with a fast quantum-well infrared photodetector. An estimate for the pulse width of approximately 3 psec is inferred from these data.

Abstract: A lithium niobate-based electro-optic device is formed to include a parylene conformal coating layer, as a sealant against moisture. The use of parylene (preferably, parylene-C) has been found to form an acceptable moisture vapor barrier without the need for additional hermetic packaging of the electro-optic device.