Abstract: An apparatus for aligning an optical fiber includes an alignment spacer having a tapered alignment hole to receive an optical fiber. In one embodiment, the optical fiber is positioned in the tapered alignment hole such that the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the alignment hole. The alignment spacer may also align a number of optical fibers arranged in two dimensions.

Abstract: An optical bus for processing an optical signal includes an optical waveguide and a switchplate. The switchplate has a first position spaced apart from the optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with a reflecting surface of the optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the optical waveguide at an output location.

Abstract: A holographic lithography tool (110) for generating a light interference pattern used to expose a photosensitive medium (119) employs a refracting prism (121) in the optical path between divergent illuminating beams (127a, 127b). The prism is optically coupled to the photosensitive medium via an index matching fluid (123). By increasing the incident beam angle and the index of refraction, the prism reduces the size of features recorded in the photosensitive material. The divergent illuminating beams are generated by a beam delivery system which preferably employs easily adjustable fiber optic cables (176, 184). Use of the prism coupling technique facilitates use of fiber-optic-compatible wavelengths in the blue region of the spectrum in a variety of applications, such a distributed feedback grating fabrication.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for aligning an optical fiber includes a lens having a first face and a second face. In one embodiment, the first face of the lens receives an optical signal at an input displacement and an input angle. In this embodiment, an optical fiber is coupled to the second face of the lens at an output angle in response to the input displacement of the optical signal and at an output displacement in response to the input angle of the optical signal. In another embodiment, an optical fiber is coupled to the first face of the lens at an input displacement and an input angle. In this embodiment, the optical fiber transmits an optical signal that exits the second face of the lens at an output angle in response to the input displacement and at an output displacement in response to the input angle.

Abstract: A device for processing an optical signal includes a refractor with a reflecting surface for reflecting the optical signal by total internal reflection. The device also includes a switchplate and an actuator to place the switchplate into proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection.

Abstract: A device for processing an optical signal includes a refractor with a reflecting surface for reflecting the optical signal by total internal reflection. The device also includes a switchplate and an actuator to place the switchplate into proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching an optical signal to one of a number of output locations includes a refractor and one or more switchplates. The switchplates operate to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signal by the refractor when the switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal enters the first switchplate. Switchplates and refractors may be arranged in a variety of configurations to provide cascaded or multi-stage switching.

Abstract: A device for processing an optical signal includes a refractor with a reflecting surface for reflecting the optical signal by frustrated total internal reflection. In one embodiment, the device includes a bimorph transducer coupled on one end to the refractor and on the opposing end to a switchplate. In another embodiment, two ends of the bimorph transducer are coupled to the refractor and the switchplate is coupled between the two ends.