Abstract: In an optical fibre connector, the optical fibre is accurately positioned by clamping it in the channel formed between three parallel rollers each of which bears tangentially on the other two. If the fibre is of exactly the expected diameter such clamping is firm and precise, but given the variation in fibre diameters that must be accommodated there is a danger of there being excessive fibre play. This connector overcomes the problem of fibre tolerances by inserting resilient means in the said channel. Such resilient means may for example be constituted by a set of three resiliently deformable elastomer rings, one mounted on each rod.

Abstract: A connector for coupling a pair of single optical fibers is disclosed. Each contact of the connector utilizes three spheres of equal diameter defining a tricuspid interstitial space therebetween into which the end of a fiber is mounted. The spheres are embraced by a circular race and may engage each other but always engage the race. When a pair of contacts is mated in axial abutting relationship, the spheres in the mating abutting contacts nest with respect to each other, thereby precisely laterally aligning the optical fibers which are mounted in the interstitial spaces of the sets of spheres in the two contacts. Spring means are included to urge the spheres inwardly and are releasable to facilitate insertion of a single optical fiber extending axially and to compensate for alignment tolerances.

Abstract: In an electrostatic copying machine, a light source radiates an elongated, narrow beam of light onto an original document which is moved perpendicular to the beam of light for scanning. A plurality of imaging optical fibers are arranged in a row extending coextensively parallel to the light beam, which focus images of adjacent portions of the document onto a photoconductive member which is moved in a manner conjugate to the original document for scanningly forming an image of the document on the photoconductive member. The imaging optical fibers themselves extend parallel or at an angle to the document. First and second reflectors which may be mirrors or prisms are disposed between the document and imaging optical fibers and between the imaging optical fibers and the photoconductive member respectively to deflect the optical paths of the images.

Abstract: A protection device for an electro-optical detector used in systems for making far field diagnostic measurements of a high energy laser beam comprises a solid silicon cone having a truncated apex which functions as the pin hole aperture for the detector. The large end of the cone has a surface defined by the radius drawn from the cone axis at the truncation. This surface is coated with a reflective attenuation layer which reflects a high percentage of the energy of the incident laser beam entering the pinhole aperture thereby minimizing the absorption of the beam by the cone. The high index of refraction of the solid silicon cone permits large off-axis angles of the laser beam to be directed onto the detector resultingly increasing the field of view of a system using a given detector. The increased field of view allows a closer spacing of a plurality of detectors in the system ensuring a high spatial resolution of the laser beam for a desired field of view.

Abstract: A photometric calibrator is disclosed wherein a known and continuously vable amount of light flux received at a detector is linearly proportional to the inverse fourth power of the optical path length between the detector and a primary, quasi-point source of the light flux. The calibrator includes a secondary, quasi-point light flux source wherein the total flux emitted thereby is proportional to the flux received thereby over a quasi-point detecting area located at some distance, d, from the primary source. The detector is located at an equal distance d from the secondary source.

Abstract: A spiral spring strip for coupling a pair of optical fibers which may be terminated with ferrules. The spring loop diameter is reduced by tension so as to grip the ferrules. Several spirals may be employed to form a multiway connector.

Abstract: A bidirectional optical communication system which includes a transmission ine which directs radiation onto a reflective surface through which a smaller-diameter fiber is inserted. The smaller-diameter fiber directs radiation into the larger-diameter fiber for transmission away from the reflective surface simultaneous with radiation transmitted through the larger-diameter fiber toward the reflective surface. A reflective surface and small fiber may be at each end of the larger-diameter fiber for bidirectional operation.

Abstract: The retainer sleeve of a ferrule suitable for very small diameter optical fibers is coupled to a connector barrel so that, after the ferrule and optical fiber have been assembled, the position of the optical fiber end with the coupling surface of the ferrule may be adjusted. The connector barrel also includes means for securely locking the adjusted position of the optical fiber in the ferrule.

Abstract: A method for constructing and an apparatus for accessing individual or multiple guided optical fiber modes. Coupling can be accomplished at any point along an optical fiber through the fiber cladding. The coupler is based upon a technique for converting a guided optical mode into a leaky mode by varying the index of refraction of the optical fiber cladding. Transforming between the leaky mode radiation and a desired spatial power distribution is accomplished by a holographic coupler. Other propagating modes are unaffected by the coupling region. This coupling method and apparatus has application when it is required to make multiple taps along a common optical fiber as well as when it is necessary to access individual fiber modes.

Abstract: An optical fibre connector is disclosed for variable optical signal attenuation. The attenuator comprises a connecting element with a common bore of size to accept with close sliding fit two optical fibres in end to end relationship, and a positioning means for varying the end separation of said optical fibres relative to one another.