Abstract: An integrated optical device is made starting with a substrate of lithium niobate. A fluoropolymer solution is applied to coat at least part of the substrate. The substrate having fluoropolymer coat is prepared such that a metal film will adhere to the fluoropolymer coating. Next, an electrode is created by applying a metal film to the fluoropolymer coat. The preparing step is preferably accomplished by heating the substrate with the fluoropolymer coating on it such that the fluoropolymer coating is annealed, the annealing of the fluoropolymer coating improving the adhesion of the metal film to the fluoropolymer coating. Alternately, the preparing of the substrate having fluoropolymer coating includes, simultaneously with the application of the metal film, cooling the substrate with the fluoropolymer coating by contacting a thermal sink with the substrate with the fluoropolymer coating.

Abstract: Optical systems use tuning of in-fiber gratings to provide an optical crossbar switch matrix of switch elements. The switch elements have a drop tap and an insert tap. A combination of the switch matrices provides a flexible way of connecting any of a plurality of transmitters with any of a plurality of receivers. A distribution arrangement has a distribution station with a plurality of serially arranged modulators, each modulating a different and corresponding optical carrier supplied by optical fiber thereto. The modulated carriers are supplied by a distribution fiber to a serially arranged plurality of passive taps, each of which drops an optical carrier corresponding to the tap and supplies it to a local transceiver. The distribution arrangement may include an arrangement where a local transceiver reflects back the modulated optical carrier and modulates it with a return signal.

Abstract: Optical fiber devices include optical fibers having grating portions with in-fiber gratings having optical characteristics which are changed by the use of strain inducing members. The strain inducing members are connected to optical fibers in such a way that the strain applied to an in-fiber grating in an optical fiber is greater than the strain in the strain inducing members. Basically, a given percentage change in a dimension of one of the strain inducing members causes a greater percentage change in a dimension of the grating portion. The strain inducing members may apply lengthwise or radial strain to the grating portion. Arrangements with mechanical coupling of two fibers using one or more strain inducing members are useful for producing equal strain in grating portions of two fibers for interferometer configurations or other applications.

Abstract: A system uses a parallel switch/thermoelectric cooler circuit between a voltage source and a subsystem having a laser diode in thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler. The switch opens when the temperature is above a switch temperature such that current is supplied to the thermoelectric cooler in order to cool the laser. The thermoelectric cooler uses energy which would otherwise be wasted in a voltage regulator. The subsystem includes an optical transmitter using the laser to send signals. An alternate arrangement uses a pulse width modulator to provide proportional control for more precise regulation of the laser temperature.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber modulator producing a focused acoustic wave propagating from an acoustic transducer surrounding an optical fiber having an in-fiber reflection grating changes the core refractive index in proportion to the induced strain at the core when the focused acoustic wave arrives at the optical fiber core, and focused acoustic waves can also modulate optical carrier phase in a length of optical fiber which may lie in an arm of an interferometer. In a preferred embodiment, the index change shifts the reflection spectrum of an in-fiber grating located in the portion of optical fiber core on which the focused acoustic wave is centered with the reflection spectrum shift producing a change in the grating reflectivity for a narrow bandwidth optical signal on a skirt of the grating spectrum.

Abstract: A quadrupole winding for an optic sensing coil has fiber optic layers that are wound in pairs, with each layer pair beginning with fiber elements at equal distances from the coil center. Coils having a quadrupole winding pattern are less prone to errors caused by time-dependent physical changes in a section of the fiber. The coil is wound in a precision pattern, each turn lying in contact with the preceding and succeeding turn. Subsequent layers are wound with each turn lying in the groove formed by two underlying turns, with the overall winding pattern taking a hexagonally close packed configuration. Fabrication is facilitated by following every fourth-numbered layer, beginning with layer one with a two-turn pattern for passing between the subsequent two layers and a first adjacent flange, and by following every fourth-numbered layer, beginning at layer three with a two-turn pattern for passing between the subsequent two layers and a second adjacent flange.

Abstract: A subminiature fiber optic submarine cable uses a single layer of stainless steel wires around the optical fiber buffer of a single optical fiber in order to protect the fiber. A polymer adhesive filler material is used to bond the wires to the outside of the optical fiber buffer, whereas an ultraviolet curable polymer portion is disposed around the wires. The filler material used to fill the gaps between the wires and the optical fiber buffer is the same material as used for the outer polymer portion. The method of making the cable includes the application of adhesive filler material to an optical fiber buffer with a catalyst and helically winding stainless steel wires around the buffer. The structure is then passed through a coating cup which coats the wires with an outer polymer portion of ultraviolet curable material. Ultraviolet lamps then are used to cure the outer polymer portion.

Abstract: A method of making a spool wound with optical fiber where the spool has at least one payout end and providing, at the payout end of the spool, a wear-away adhesive coating or foam rubber flange. Where payout of optical fiber is from both the outer and inner layers of the wound spool, the optical fiber payout dynamics are regulated at both ends of the spool of the fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic bundle is wound for inside payout and is provided with a housing, with flanges, which maintains compressive force on the windings, and the payout of optical fiber is controlled by a substantially cylindrical mandrel placed in the interior of the inside payout spool. The mandrel supports a small-diameter tube through which the optical fiber pays and places drag on the optical fiber. The drag placed on the optical fiber passing through the small-diameter tube may be increased by slightly bending the tube. The combination of mandrel and small-diameter tube combine to hold the fiber coils in place and supply a certain amount of payout tension on the optical fiber.

Abstract: A payoff system for an optical cable to be carried by a moving vehicle includes a spool containing an optical fiber, and rearwardly of the spool is a cone of energy-absorbing material such as foam rubber, carpeting, fabric and the like. The rearward end of of the cone is provided with a eyelet through which the cable is threaded, followed by a braking system consisting of a pair of flat blocks or plates, and downstream of the plates is an outlet cone or eyelet.

Abstract: A communication cable winding is disclosed which is protected from heat, turbulence and friction during unwinding by a plastic skirt which surrounds a portion of the winding on a spool or bobbin. An outer portion of the cable may also be provided with a protective overlayer which forms the outer layer of the winding not protected by the plastic skirt.

Abstract: An optical fiber submarine cable includes a fiber optic bundle sealed within a precompressed electrically conductive tube defining a hermetic cavity. An inner layer of helically wound copper-plated steel wires is disposed around the electrically conductive tube. An outer layer of oppositely helically wound copper-plated steel wires is preferably disposed around the inner layer. The wires are tightly wound at a pitch of between 8.degree. and 20.degree. and the outer wires balance the torque from the inner wires. An insulation layer of polyethylene surrounds the outer armor layer. A method of making the cable uses precompression of the tube to increase the strength of the cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic energy sensor and optical demodulation system is disclosed wherein the signal energy to be sensed or detected causes an etched single mode fiber to be stretched or compressed which causes the optical path length for electro-magnetic radiation traveling in the core of the optic fiber to change. The change in optic path length modulates the electro-magnetic radiation traveling in the fiber. There is also disclosed novel methods of manufacturing the novel type of fiber optic energy sensor and optical demodulation system.

Abstract: A fiber optic energy sensor and optical demodulation system is disclosed wherein the signal energy to be sensed or detected causes an etched single mode fiber to be stretched or compressed which causes the optical path length for electromagnetic radiation traveling in the core of the optic fiber to change. The change in optic path length modulates the electromagnetic radiation traveling in the fiber. There is also disclosed novel methods of manufacturing the novel type of fiber optic energy sensor and optical demodulation system.

Abstract: A bidirectional optical fiber cable assembly that has electrical connectors on each end and a data bus employing same are disclosed, thereby facilitating the implementation of optical fiber communication links. The bidirectional optical fiber cable assembly uses a dual function diode which functions both as a light emitter and as a detector of optical signals. This diode, which is contained within an electrical connector at the end of the cable assembly, is connected by wires to the electrical terminals of the connector and is positioned against the end of an optical fiber, which transmits the signal along the fiber cable. The use of such a cable assembly in a data bus allows the design of a data bus in which the function of signal transmission is conducted by optical signals, a function for which they are best suited by virtue of resistance to electrical interference, and in which connection and distribution of signals is done electrically, a function for which electronics is better suited than is optics.