Abstract: The invention provides a cylindrical polarization diversity circuit for narrowing the numerical aperture of an incoming beam of light in a direction perpendicular to the dispersion direction and without affecting the numerical aperture of the incoming beam of light in the direction of dispersion. A cylindrical lens is employed to provide an output beam having an elliptical cross-section. The output beam is collimated in one direction and diverging in a direction perpendicular thereto. A birefringent element having its walk-off direction oriented such that it coincides with the collimated beam direction separates the output beam into two orthogonally polarized sub-beams having an elliptical cross-section. The sub-beams are substantially non-overlapping. Advantageously, a halfwave plate is provided so as to make the polarization states of both sub-beams substantially parallel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention can provide a substrate and a moveable reflector, on the substrate, having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the moveable reflector moves to first and second positions on the substrate. A latch is located on the substrate adjacent to the first surface of the moveable reflector opposite the second surface and coupled to the moveable reflector, wherein the latch holds the moveable reflector in the first and second positions. An actuator is located on the substrate adjacent to the first surface of the moveable reflector opposite the second surface and is coupled to the latch, wherein the actuator moves the moveable reflector to the first and second positions.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that is capable of operating as a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) and/or a configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (COADM) is disclosed. The optical design includes a front-end unit for providing a collimated beam of light, an element having optical power for providing collimating/focusing effects, a diffraction element for providing spatial dispersion, and modifying means which in a preferred embodiment includes one of a MEMS array and a liquid crystal array for reflecting and modifying at least a portion of a beam of light. The modifying means functions as an attenuator when the optical device operates as a DGE and as a switching array when the optical device operates as a COADM.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a vibration insensitive method of precisely polishing an object. The method includes the steps of providing an object to be polished, applying a conductive material to a non-electrical current conductive surface of the object, removing a portion of the object and the conductive material through polishing, and measuring an electric current flowing through the conductive material to monitor a progress of the polishing. Advantageously, the method does not require the polishing process to be interrupted to monitor the progress of the polishing. In fact, since the progress is measured as a function of resistance/electrical current, the progress is measured with an accuracy and precision related to each individual turn of a polishing pad. Advantageously, the instant method is remarkably vibration insensitive and is practical for the simultaneous, automatic, and precise, polishing of monolithic objects.

Abstract: MEMS devices include a substrate, an anchor attached to the substrate, and a multilayer member attached to the anchor and spaced apart from the substrate. The multilayer member can have a first portion that is remote from the anchor and that curls away from the substrate and a second portion that is adjacent the anchor that contacts the substrate. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical switch having an input port for launching a beam of light into the optical switch, at least two output ports, each output port for selectively receiving a beam of light, an ATO element having optical power for providing an angle to offset transformation, and beam directing means for selectively directing a beam of light from the input port to a selected one of the at least two output ports along an optical path via the ATO element. The ATO element is a lens or a mirror.

Abstract: An optical amplifier having a suitable length of Er/Yb co-doped double clad optical fiber is used to amplify an input optical signal. The inner clad of the double clad optical fiber supports the propagation of a multi mode signal used to excite Er/Yb co-dopants in the double clad optical fiber. Simultaneously, a single mode signal launched from a single mode laser pump co-propagates with the input optical signal in the core of the optical fiber. In this model, single mode light travels in the single mode core region and the multi mode pump light is mainly in the clad region. The interaction between the two laser pumps is negligible.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved in-line micro-optic component. The in-line micro-optic component includes an optical core attached to a first optical collimator by applying a first heat-curing epoxy. The in-line micro-optic component further includes a first gold-plated stainless steel holder holding the first optical collimator. The first optical collimator is inserted and fixed in the first stainless steel holder by applying a second heat-curing epoxy. The inline micro-optic component coupler further includes a second optical collimator. The in-line micro-optic component coupler further includes a second gold-plated stainless steel holder holding the second optical collimator. The second optical collimator is inserted and fixed in the second stainless steel holder by applying a third heat-curing epoxy.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for measuring a characteristic of a lens. By directing light to a lens, and receiving reflected light from a opposite end faces of the lens on an image plane, a determination from the focused spots on the image plane can be made as to a characteristic of the lens, such as its focal length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning optical components effectively locks pairs of ports in alignment, while simultaneously allowing further alignment of the same or a different pair of ports. The effective locking of pairs of ports is achieved by providing a virtual pivot point close to the ports, via a relatively fast compensating movement. In the preferred embodiment, the relatively fast compensating movement is provided by a mechanism based on a electromagnet. Since the ports are locked, i.e., are always aligned with being affected by any other activities, the instant method and apparatus for alignment is highly suitable for automation.

Abstract: An optical switching device for controlling an optical signal is disclosed. The optical switching device is in the form of an optical loop, the loop having two ports for launching or receiving light. A switching element is interposed within the loop for selectively launching light to one of the two ports. The switching element has a polarization rotating element for rotating the polarization of light incident thereon and a wavelength dependent filter disposed to bypass the polarization rotating element or direct a signal propagating within the loop through the polarization rotating element in dependence upon wavelength.

Abstract: Automated manufacturing in the fiber optics industry has introduced a series of new problems due to the small size of the parts being assembled and the precise optical alignments required. However, processes requiring the manual assembly of parts using glue are slowly being replaced by automated processes involving the laser welding of metallically encased optical parts. Unfortunately, almost every step in the process causes a small degree of misalignment, which may cause the device to fall below transmission standards. The present invention provides a method of assembling an optical device which includes special steps that involve re-aligning the elements in the optical device after other steps in the method have caused a misalignment. In particular, the method of the present invention includes testing the alignment of the optical elements at several stages throughout the assembly process, and applying addition asymmetric welds to the finished product to improve the transmission results.

Abstract: The invention provides a fast variable optical attenuator including a reflective membrane that serves as a varifocal mirror. Electrostatic deflection of the mirror defocuses the optical system and attenuates an optical signal launched to the mirror from an input port to an output port. Since the mirror is generally limited to deflections less than 1 micron, fast attenuation within a small (<5 dB) dynamic range is achieved. The dynamic range is improved by combining the fast attenuator with a slower attenuator. In the preferred embodiment, the slow and fast attenuator are not coupled via optical waveguides, but rather are optically coupled via free space or are integrated in the same device. Advantageously, this compact arrangement reduces the excess loss associated with optical fiber coupling and lowers packaging costs.

Abstract: A system and method for resolving polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in a span of optical fiber is described. The method involves three main stages: (1) launch two co-polarized optical signals to generate respective four-wave mixing product fields at the Stokes wavelength &lgr;S or the anti-Stokes wavelength &lgr;A sequentially in each part of the fiber to calculate chromatic dispersion; (2) repeatedly launch two optical signals at various states of polarization (SOP) using methods of stage (1) to calculate overall dispersion (i.e., a combination of chromatic dispersion and PMD); and (3) resolve from the overall dispersion calculated at stage (2) the PMD based on the known chromatic dispersion calculated at stage (1). In an ideal case, the PMD can be calculated from two separate measurements at different co-polarized states of polarization, where group velocity is calculated from a measured dispersion map, as a function of wavelength, at the SOPs and the difference is calculated to resolve PMD.

Abstract: An assembly for aligning at least one optical component with respect to a light path is described. This assembly includes a substrate having at least one integrally formed, flexural member defined by one portion of the substrate and a primary substrate portion defined by another portion of the substrate. The flexural member includes a component mounting area such that the optical component is mountable thereon and, when the optical component is so mounted, the optical component is movably alignable in the light path by displacement of the component mounting area of the flexural member relative to the primary substrate portion.

Abstract: A package for an optical device comprising two mating sections, each section including a rigid outer protective shell and a resilient inner body. The package is easily clamped together using snap clips, which are integral with the rigid outer protective shells. Preferably, strain relief is provided integrated on each end of the resilient bodies.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical (MEM) Optical Cross-connect (OXC) switches having mechanical actuators are discussed. In particular, the MEM OXC switches can include a plurality of reflectors, wherein each of the plurality of the reflectors is movable to at least one of a respective first reflector position along a respective optical beam path from an associated input of the MEM OXC switch to an associated output thereof and a respective second reflector position outside the optical beam path. A mechanical actuator moves to at least one of a first mechanical actuator position and a second mechanical actuator position.

Abstract: An optical coupling device and method is disclosed, wherein two lenses having a non-unitary configuration are positioned between a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports having different center-to-center distances. More specifically, the spacing d1 between input ports is fixed and is different in magnitude from the fixed spacing d2 between output ports. Preferably, the two lenses have a common axis and are separated by a distance d3, which is selected in dependence upon the known and fixed spacings, d1 and d2. Advantageously, the disclosed coupling device provides a simple and economical apparatus and method for coupling light between a first plurality of ports having a fixed distance therebetween to a second plurality of ports having a different fixed distance therebetween.

Abstract: A method of attaching a component onto a microbench includes laying the component in a groove in the substrate, and locally deforming a portion of the groove, to thereby hold the component in the groove. Preferably, the microbench is a silicon substrate used for MEMs-type structures in the fiber optics industry. In particular, the method is used for securing an optical fiber in a groove, DRI etched from a silicon substrate, before or after the fiber is aligned with other optical components, i.e. lenses, lasers etc. The local deformation is done using a laser welding device selected to be effective in locally melting the substrate while leaving the component relatively undamaged.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical deflection switch having reduced insertion loss. The device includes a switching block having a reflective surface and a transmissive face, a second block having a first and a second face, and a switch for selectively switching the device from a first switching state to a second switching state. The optical deflection switch of the present invention provides a switch in which a deflected beam is directed to one of a plurality of output ports at normal incidence and hence the insertion loss of the optical deflection switch is reduced. The output beam in the first switching state is parallel to the output beam in the second switching state.