Abstract: Wavelength reference apparatus for use in calibrating a tunable Fabry-Perot filter or a tunable VCSEL, whereby the device may be tuned to a precise, known wavelength, the wavelength reference apparatus comprising an LED, where the LED is chosen so as to have an emission profile which varies with wavelength; an etalon, where the etalon is chosen so as to have a transmission profile which comprises a comb of transmission peaks, with each transmission peak occurring at a precise, known wavelength; and a detector for detecting the light emitted by the LED and passing through the etalon; whereby when a tunable Fabry-Perot filter or tunable VCSEL is positioned between the etalon and the detector, and the device is swept through its tuning range by varying the tuning voltage applied to the device, the known transmission wavelengths established by the LED and the etalon can be correlated to counterpart tuning voltages of the device, whereby to calibrate the device.

Abstract: An asymmetric Fabry-Perot modulator is disclosed having an adjustable resonant cavity length. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes an asymmetric Fabry-Perot modulator having a first reflector adjustably mounted to another portion of the modulator containing a second reflector. The length of the resonant cavity is adjusted by microelectomechanically changing the distance from the first reflector to the second reflector. In turn, this change of the resonant cavity length may tune the modulator to an optimal wavelength corresponding to the electro-absorptance material in the modulator.

Abstract: A tunable Fabry-Perot filter and a tunable vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) are disclosed, where both devices utilize an improved dome structure for creating an internal air gap and improved bias electrode construction for increasing the tuning range of the devices.

Abstract: An efficient high power tunable laser source suitable for use in optical communications equipment and networks comprises an optically pumped VCSEL and a fiber amplifier for the laser output of said VCSEL, with VCSEL and the fiber amplifier being optically pumped by a common optical pump source.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for providing auxiliary cooling and thermal stability to a temperature sensitive opto-electronic component. The disclosed apparatus comprising a primary thermal control system having a first thermal connection with a primary structure supporting at least one component of an optical system and a second thermal connection being thermally connected with an external environment; and an auxiliary thermal control system having a first thermal connection being thermally connected with the temperature sensitive opto-electronic component, and the auxiliary thermal control system having a second thermal connection being thermally connected with the primary thermal control system whereby the auxiliary thermal control system provides cooling to the temperature sensitive opto-electronic component and the primary thermal control system provides additional cooling to the auxiliary thermal control system through temperature regulation of the primary structure.

Abstract: Novel light switches and attenuators are disclosed. In one form of the invention, a novel 2×2 crossbar switch is formed by positioning a movable reflector intermediate four fiberoptic lines. In another form of the invention, a 1×N switch is formed by providing a plurality of cantilevers each having a reflective surface thereon. In still another form of the invention, a novel light attenuator is formed by positioning a movable arm intermediate two fiberoptic elements.

Abstract: A low power fiberoptic relay for radio communications. In one form of the invention, a laser is located at one end (i.e., the communication network end) of the relay and a modulator is located at the other end (i.e., the receiver end) of the relay.

Abstract: A wavelength reference device for tuning a tunable Fabry-Perot filter and/or a tunable VCSEL to a desired frequency, where the device uses a modified Michelson interferometer to generate a series of reference frequencies

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating microelectromechanically tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and microelectromechanically tunable Fabry-Perot filters with precise lateral and vertical dimensional control. Strained reflective dielectric film(s) are applied to a multiple quantum well structure to electronically band-gap-engineer the quantum wells. Appropriate strain in the reflective dielectric film layers is also used to create appropriate curvature in one of the reflective dielectric film stacks so as to form a confocal cavity between a planar reflective dielectric film layer and the curved reflective dielectric film layer in the vertical cavity surface emitting laser or filter.

Abstract: In one form of the invention, there is provided a laser comprising a front mirror and a rear mirror which are disposed so as to establish a reflective cavity therebetween; a gain region disposed between the front mirror and the rear mirror, the gain region being constructed so that when it is appropriately stimulated by light from a pump laser, the gain region will emit light; one of the front mirror and the rear mirror is substantially fully reflective at the lasing wavelength and the other of the front mirror and rear mirror being partially reflective at the lasing wavelength so as to allow a beam of laser light to be emitted therefrom; and an intermediate mirror disposed between the rear mirror and the front mirror, at least a portion of the gain region being disposed between the rear mirror and the intermediate mirror, the rear mirror and the intermediate mirror being reflective at the pump wavelength and being spaced from one another so as to cause the pump light to be reflected between the rear mirror a

Abstract: Apparatus for use in tuning a tunable optical device to a target wavelength, the apparatus comprising: a beam splitter for tapping a portion of the light emerging from the tunable optical device; a walk-off reflector for dividing the portion of the light emerging from the beam splitter into a plurality of beams; a multiple etalon for tailoring the light from at least two of the plurality of beams provided by the walk-off reflector; a multiple detector for detecting light from the multiple etalon and the walk-off reflector, the multiple detector providing a plurality of output signals; and a control unit for controlling the tunable optical device by providing a control signal to the tunable optical device according to the output signals provided by the multiple detector.

Abstract: A fully integrated optical system for monitoring the channels of an optical fiber in a WDM fiberoptic system.

Abstract: An electrically tunable Fabry-Perot structure using a deformable multi-layer mirror construction wherein Ga1−aAlaAs, where a<0.1, is used as the sacrificial layer which may be selectively removed using a citric acid enchant. The multi-layer mirrors consist of N and M period of quarter wavelength layers where N and M are integers, or integers plus ½. Further, the mirrors are made from alternating layers of Ga1−xAlxAs, where x>0.96, and a material selected from the group consisting of either Ga1−zAlzAs, where 0.7>Z>0, or Ga1−yAlyAs/Ga1−zAlzAs/Ga1−yAlyAs, where 0.7>Z>0 and y>0.5. The Ga1−xAlxAs is wet oxidized by exposing its edge to water in a nitrogen or helium atmosphere at a temperature of between about 360° C. and 450° C. so as to transform it to AlOx. The resulting AlOx layers abut the sacrificial layer and act as etch stops during the formation of a cantilever Fabry-Perot structure by etching of the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A wavelength reference device for tuning a tunable Fabry-Perot filter and/or a tunable VCSEL to a desired frequency, where the device uses a Fizeau interferometer and a position sensitive detector, with the position sensitive detector being used to measure the location of the maximum reflected power from the interferometer, whereby to determine the wavelength of laser radiation for tuning the device.

Abstract: Novel light switches and attenuators are disclosed. In one form of the invention, a novel 2×2 crossbar switch is formed by positioning a movable reflector intermediate four fiberoptic lines. In another form of the invention, a 1×N switch is formed by providing a plurality of cantilevers each having a reflective surface thereon. In still another form of the invention, a novel light attenuator is formed by positioning a movable arm intermediate two fiberoptic elements.

Abstract: A tunable Fabry-Perot filter and a tunable vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) are disclosed, where both devices utilize an improved dome structure for creating an internal air gap.

Abstract: An optical fiber wavelenght reference device for tuning a tunable Fabry-Perot filter and/or a tunable VCSEL to a desired frequency, where the device uses a fiber etalon to generate a pattern of reference frequencies against which the device is tuned.

Abstract: A compact wavelength monitoring and control assembly for a narrow band source is provided comprising a narrow bandpass, wavelength selective transmission filter element, of Fabry-Perot structure, through which two collimated beams from a laser source are directed onto two photodetectors. The differential output of the two photodetectors is used in a feedback loop to stabilize the source to the desired wavelength. Through the dependence of the wavelength transmission of the Fabry-Perot etalon on angle and physical parameters, a wavelength variation of the source is converted into a transmission loss, which is different for the detectors, so that the wavelength change is detected by changes in the signals output from the detectors. Through the controlled variation of the source wavelength in the vicinity of the transmission maximum of the etalon, the absolute frequency of the Fabry-Perot locking point may be confirmed by the variation of the ratio of the detector signals.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating microelectromechanically tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with precise lateral and vertical dimensional control. Microelectromechanical tunable vertical cavity surface emitting laser structures are also provided which include a suspended membrane structure made of a dielectric/metal membrane or metal film that supports a cavity-tuning reflective dielectric film stack while being anchored at the perimeter by metal support post(s). Tuning is achieved by translational movement of the cavity-tuning reflective dielectric film stack in a controlled electrostatic field. The current invention deals with the intracavity electrical contacts for current injection for this type of MEM-tunable VCSEL's. The current invention also includes various mechanisms to control the current injection profile so as to ensure single mode operation throughout the tuning range of the MEM-tunable VCSEL's.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for orienting a light source with individual or bundled, single- or multi-mode optical fibers so that the light source projects an efficient projection and/or an optimal projection toward at least one optical fiber.