Abstract: A light source for generating many precisely spaced wavelength channels, based on the periodic modulation of light. CW light is periodically amplitude modulated and then coupled to a non-linear fiber where it undergoes additional modulation by the process of self-phase modulation or other non-linear effects. In a general embodiment of the multi-wavelength source (MWS), an optical modulator driven by a periodic electromagnetic signal imposes periodic amplitude modulation on light from a single longitudinal mode CW laser. The light is then coupled to a non-linear medium with an intensity dependent refractive index where it generates higher order spectral sidebands by the process of self-phase modulation and/or other non-linear effects. The frequency spacing between the spectral components is equal to the repetition rate of the modulation. The shape of the spectrum (i.e.

Abstract: A pre-fitted optical fiber section (2) is held in a plug ferrule (1) in such a way that it extends from a face (3) up to a lateral fusion access aperture in the plug ferrule (1). From the direction of an entry surface (7) at the cable-end, a bore (6) running coaxially to the optical fiber section also leads into the fusion access aperture. Within the fusion access aperture, the pre-fitted optical fiber section can be welded to the optical fiber (27) of an optical fiber cable (24) in the field. The plug ferrule is assembled from at least two components, of which one (8) possesses the outer jacket serving to center the plug ferrule and the other (10) possesses the fusion access aperture (4) and the bore (6). Both components comprise differing materials, which considerably facilitates manufacture.

Abstract: An optical system, in one embodiment including an external-cavity frequency-tuned laser having a tunable longitudinal cavity mode and a center tunable wavelength. The external-cavity frequency-tuned laser includes an optical cavity, an optical gain medium positioned within the optical cavity, and a rapid tuning wavelength selecting device positioned to receive light from the optical gain medium and adapted to return selected wavelengths of light to the optical gain medium. The external-cavity frequency-tuned laser is substantially continuously tunable and the tunable wavelength selecting device tunes the center wavelength of the external-cavity frequency-tuned laser at the same rate as the longitudinal cavity mode of the external-cavity frequency-tuned laser is tuned. In another embodiment the optical system includes an interferometer in optical communication with the external-cavity frequency-tuned laser.

Abstract: The stop ring of an optical connector is made by molding. The intermediate section of the stop ring is tapered to the front end to provide a satisfactory strength when the rear section of the stop ring is pressed by crimping. The rear section is provided with a knurl having front or sharp edges to provide resistance to separation of the braid of an optical cable.

Abstract: The present invention is a compact, quantized, photonic delay-line array based on nested, generalized, spirals. The array includes N optical waveguides and is quantized in that consecutive waveguides can have their delays differ by the same delay difference design constant, D. Thus the delay for the n.sup.th delay line can be expressed as D.sub.n =D.sub.0 +n*D where D.sub.0 is the delay through the first waveguide and n=0, 1, 2, . . . ,(N-1). The arrays can be formed on a suitable substrate by a process permitting crossovers such as silica-on-silicon or optical polymer planar lightwave circuits. The nested waveguides are applied as single turn or multiturn generalized spirals with either sharp (mirrored) or rounded corners. The approach is scalable because N may range from 2 to over 64, limited only by the wafer (substrate) material and size, or D may range from a picosecond to well over a nanosecond with currently available substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for implementing post-detection dispersion compensation on a minimum-phase optical single sideband signal propagating along an optical fiber, in which the optical fiber induces phase distortion on the minimum-phase optical single sideband signal.

Abstract: A robust and simple laser guideline system provides a precisely located line image by passing a laser beam through a perpendicularly oriented transparent cylinder. The cylinder may be rotated into or out of the beam providing dual modes of line or dot image projection. A swivel mount is disclosed for use of the laser guideline system on saws or the like to demarcate the cut path.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder filter is provided with a strongly aperiodic transfer function including a broad, sharply defined pass band. The filter can be used in conjunction with optical amplifiers.

Abstract: An unstable laser resonator geometry with a gradient reflectivity mirror M) and external lens, or a gradient reflectivity mirror-lens (GRML), achieving a vast improvement in the intrinsic divergence and brightness of the output laser beam.

Abstract: A split-flow laser cooling assembly for providing separate cooling environments for the pumping medium and the laser medium. The device includes a generally transparent monoblock, a pumping medium for providing pump light, and a laser medium responsive to the pump light for generating laser energy. The monoblock is generally transparent and has a first open bore and a second open bore oriented with axis' parallel to each other. The first bore receives the pumping medium such that a pump cooling passage is provided between the monoblock and the pumping medium. Likewise, the second bore receives the laser medium such that a laser cooling passage is provided between the laser medium and the monoblock.

Abstract: A circuit and method for driving a laser diode with high stability. A steady state current is generated and used to drive the laser diode. A dynamic feedback signal is generated and used to operate the laser diode in a constant power mode. An operational amplifier having a transistor and an RC circuit in the feedback loop is used to couple the drive voltage source to the laser diode. A potentiometer in the inverting amplifier input is used to control the laser diode output current amplitude. A longevity signal is provided to indicate whether or not the laser diode current is excessive.

Abstract: Third harmonic generated from intra-cavity frequency tripled resonator is disclosed in which a type I or type II phase matching crystal is used as the tripler. Type I phase matching is used for second harmonic generation. The resonator efficiently converts the fundamental laser frequency to its third harmonic laser beam. The laser is highly efficient with high third harmonic output stability. Overall conversion efficiency exceeds 25% and preferably is 50% or higher.

Abstract: A laser beam as fundamental waves which is emitted from a distribution Bragg reflection (DBR) semiconductor laser is incident on an optical waveguide of a light wavelength conversion device in which domain-inverted regions and the optical waveguide are formed in an LiTaO.sub.3 substrate. The wavelength of the incident laser beam is then converted so as to obtain higher harmonic waves such as blue light. In the conversion, a drive current to be applied to a DBR portion of the DBR semiconductor laser is changed so as to change an oscillating wavelength of the DBR semiconductor laser, thereby matching the oscillating wavelength with a phase-matched wavelength of the light wavelength conversion device. Thus, the generation of the harmonic waves to be output is stably controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for an infrared light emitter comprising a semiconductor element (12) able to emit infrared radiation and a switched microlaser (2, 4, 6, 8) arranged so as to be able to optically pump the semiconductor element.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) includes a cable core (20) and a jacket section (30). Cable core (20) includes a central member (21), buffer tubes (23, 26), and optical fibers (22, 25) in respective buffer tubes. Jacket section (30) includes a tape layer (34) with a seam (35), and a seam guard (40) disposed over seam (35). Seam guard (40) is operative to perform dual functions, as the seam guard includes substrate (42) operative to prevent cable zippering, and a waterblocker (44) operative to inhibit the migration of moisture into cable core (20). FIGS. 1-3.

Abstract: A laser system is provided for supplying high power, stable light intensity via an aperture limited delivery system to an application requiring continuous light output intensity in spite of the laser source being subjected optical feedback noise caused by external system and delivery system perturbations that cause fluctuation in laser source power intensity. Non-stable light intensity in the output is due to environmental temperature changes, and phase and amplitude changes caused by system induced perturbations such as by movement of the aperture limited delivery system and optical artifacts of the optical elements, comprising the aperture limited delivery system, introducing noise into the feedback in the laser system changing the output intensity pattern of the delivered power beam. This can be substantially remedied by the employing a monolithic, multiple, independent single mode laser source which is substantially unaffected by this noise.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power saving device for a visible laser diode apparatus. The invention is designed in accordance with the principle of visual persistence and the specific photo-electrical characteristics of a laser diode. In accordance with the power saving device of the invention, it can save the power consumption of a visible laser diode apparatus, enhance the heat dissipating efficiency and prolong the lifetime of a laser diode.

Abstract: An optical fiber socket terminus (28) has a fiber tip (30) received within a tip holder (32) that is welded (41) to a socket tube (36) slidingly received within a socket shoulder (44). A coil spring (38) extends about socket tube (36) between tip holder (32) and shoulder 44. Stop 49 is welded to end portion of tube (36) providing limit to shoulder (44) movement. Pin terminus (10) has a fiber tip (18) that is received within alignment bushing (60) along with the socket tip (30) to achieve proper end relation of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A system and a method of pumping a gain medium element in one or more stages of a laser amplifier or oscillator with a spatially inhomogeneous optical pump beam, to minimize the potential for parasitic oscillation modes and amplified spontaneous emissions. The method is preferably accomplished by generating a spatially modulated optical pump beam, and pumping the gain medium element with the spatially modulated optical pump beam, to optically fragment the gain medium element into discontinuous amplifying gain regions, thereby creating a very lossy configuration for undesirable lateral modes, while maintaining a high-gain path for the desired longitudinal mode of operation. If there is more then one amplifier stage, the substantially identical optical pump beams are used in each stage and the gain regions of one gain medium element are spatially mapped onto the gain regions of the subsequent gain medium element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing an environmentally stable, ultra-short pulse source. Exemplary embodiments relate to passively modelocked ultra-short fiber lasers which are insensitive to temperature variations and which possess only negligible sensitivity to pressure variations. Further, exemplary embodiments can be implemented in a cost-effective manner which render them commercially practical in unlimited applications. Arbitrary fiber lengths (e.g., on the order of 1 millimeter to 1 kilometer, or greater) can be used to provide an ultra-short pulse with a cost-effective architecture which is commercially practical.