Abstract: A planar optical waveguide is provided. The planar optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion, a first cladding disposed on the substrate, and a core disposed on at least a portion of the first cladding. The core is a halogenated polymer having an absorptive optical loss of less than approximately 2.5×10?4 dB/cm in the range from about 1250 to 1700 nm. The core has a thermo-optic coefficient and a refractive index, a product of the thermo-optic coefficient and the reciprocal of the refractive index being approximately equal to the negative of the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier module is disclosed which comprises a signal path located between a signal input and a signal output. A WDM coupler and an amplifying gain medium are disposed along the signal path. A pump laser is disposed out of the signal path in a manner that allows a pump signal from the pump laser to reflect off the WDM coupler and enter the signal path. An embodiment utilizing a second WDM coupler and a second pump laser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a location of a blocking apparatus in an optical fiber system is disclosed. The method includes providing a first device and a second device; providing a fiber between the first device and the second device, the fiber having a predetermined length; determining the effective length of the fiber based on the predetermined length; and installing the blocking apparatus at the effective length of the fiber.

Abstract: A broadband optical amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier includes an input having a plurality of optical wavelengths, including optical wavelengths between 1610 and 1620 nanometers, and a first optical splitter optically connected to the input. The first optical splitter splits the input into a first band signal portion, a second band signal portion, and a third band signal portion. An amplifying portion is optically disposed along each of the first, second, and third band signal portions optically downstream from the first optical splitter. A first optical combiner is optically connected to the first, second, and third band signal portions to form an output. A method of amplifying a broadband optical signal is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is provided. The optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. The lower cladding is a first perhalogenated polymer. The optical waveguide also includes a core disposed on at least a portion of the lower cladding. A method of manufacturing the optical waveguide is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for suppressing light scattering in optical fiber transmission systems are disclosed. The system includes an optical fiber assembly having first and second ends and at least one blocking apparatus disposed along the fiber between the first and second ends. The method includes providing a fiber assembly having a first end and a second end; installing a blocking apparatus in the fiber assembly between the first end and the second end; and transmitting light between the first end and the second end. The fiber assembly generates Brillouin and Rayleigh scattering light in a direction opposite the direction of the transmitted light, and the blocking apparatus suppresses the Brillouin and Rayleigh scattering light.

Abstract: A microresonator is provided that incorporates a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and nanoparticles dispersed therein. The microresonator includes the composite material having a shape that is bounded at least in part by a reflecting surface. The shape of the microresonator allows a discrete electromagnetic frequency to set up a standing wave mode. Advantageously, the polymer matrix comprises at least one halogenated polymer and the dispersed nanoparticles comprise an outer coating layer, which may also comprise a halogenated polymer. Methods for making composite materials and microresonators are also provided. Applications include, for example, active and passive switches, add/drop filters, modulators, isolators, and integrated optical switch array circuits.

Abstract: A temperature controller module for electronically controlling the temperature of a device, such as a pump laser or laser diode, controls the device temperature based on low heat dissipation inductors and current sources. The temperature controller module shuts off the thermoelectric cooler when the temperature of the laser exceeds a predetermined amount. Further, the temperature controller module is integrated in a compact, self-contained modular form to allow use in space critical applications.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide includes a first cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion, and a core disposed on a portion of the second surface portion. The core has a first end and a second end. The waveguide also includes a second cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion. The second surface portion of the second cladding layer is disposed on the core and a remaining portion of the second surface portion of the first cladding layer. An optical waveguide assembly incorporating the optical waveguide and a method of manufacturing the waveguide are also disclosed.

Abstract: An L band optical amplifier in disclosed. The amplifier includes a signal line for transmitting a signal light in a first direction. The signal line includes an input, an output disposed optically downstream of the input, and a first amplifying gain medium optically disposed between the input and the output. A first laser is optically aligned with the first amplifying gain medium to transmit a first pump light to the first amplifying gain medium toward the output. A first reflector is disposed along the signal line between the first amplifying gain medium and the output to reflect a first bandwidth of light from the first amplifying gain medium back into the first amplifying gain medium. A second laser is optically aligned with the first amplifying gain medium to transmit a second pump light to the first amplifying gain medium toward the input.