Abstract: A fiber optic corporate power divider/combiner for use in fiber optic systems is provided. When functioning as an optical divider, the invention includes a dielectric lens for converting incoming optical energy from a divergent spherical wave to a plane wave. A micro-lens array in optical alignment with the dielectric lens functions to partition and focus the plane wave to provide a coherent phase optical dot pattern. A fiber bundle is provided to receive and uniformly distribute the coherent phase optical dot pattern. When functioning as an optical combiner, the invention includes the micro-lens array to convert an incoming coherent phase optical dot pattern from a plurality of divergent spherical waves to a plane wave. The dielectric lens optically aligned with the micro-lens array receives and converts the plane wave to a convergent spherical wave and a single optical fiber receives and transforms the convergent spherical wave into parallel rays for transmission.

Abstract: Optical device including an optical waveguide composed of a LiTaO.sub.3 monocrystalline substrate and a LiNbO.sub.3 monocrystalline thin film waveguide formed on the surface of the substrate, with the lattice length of the LiNbO.sub.3 monocrystalline thin film waveguide and the LiTaO.sub.3 monocrystalline substrate being matched with each other, and an electrode provided on at least one of the branched sections of the waveguide extending along the optical axis thereof for changing a refractive index of the waveguide. The optical device having the optical waveguide has excellent electro-optic effects and a resistance to optical damage as well as an advanced modulation efficiency and a stable amplitude modulation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical waveguide device of LiNbO.sub.3 which guides efficiently both or either of ordinary ray and extraordinary ray of visible light in the short wavelength region. It is prepared by forming an LiNbO.sub.3 thin film optical waveguide on an LiNbO.sub.3 substrate undoped or doped with MgO, with or without a base layer interposed between them, by liquid phase epitaxy which employs Li.sub.2 O-B.sub.2 O.sub.3 as the flux.

Abstract: An optical-fiber incorporated longer-sized subaqueous unit comprises optical fiber units arranged inside or outside a plastic sheath provided on the periphery of the core body of the longer-sized subaqueous unit such as power cable core or water supply tube. Each optical fiber unit includes an optical fiber accommodated in a metal pipe having on its periphery a coating layer made of plastic material with a melting point higher than that of the material of the plastic sheath, and armoring iron wire bundles are further provided outside the plastic sheath on the periphery of the core body, thereby preventing any buckling in the optical fiber units.

Abstract: A single silica optical fiber (4) is formed in a Sagnac interferometer (2) by forming a fused, dichroic optical fiber coupler (8) having four ports (10, 12, 14 and 16). A 1.3 .mu.m optical data signal is coupled to the port (10) via a dichroic optical fiber coupler (18) which combines it with a 1.53 .mu.m c-w probe signal from laser (16). The coupler (8) splits the 1.53 .mu.m probe signal into two equal intensity, counter-propagating portions and couples the 1.3 .mu.m data signal so it propagates in one direction round the loop (6). The loop (6) exhibits a non-linearity such that the data signal provides a relative phase shift of the counter-propagating c-w probe portions causing a portion of the 1.53 .mu.m signal is switched to port (12). This 1.53 .mu.m switched output provides tapping of the data signal without affecting its intensity.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for making Bragg gratings in glass optical fibers, or other glass optical waveguides, which is relatively insensitive to perturbations in the actinic light used for processing. This method is suitable for mass production and lends itself well to the manufacturing environment. The invention method involves first providing an optical phase grating. An interference pattern is generated by impinging a single light beam on the grating. The optical waveguide to be processed is exposed to this interference pattern, leading to the formation of a Bragg grating in the waveguide.

Abstract: An all dielectric self-supporting fiber optic communication cable for use between spaced-apart support towers of an electrical power transmission network. A central core including at least one optical fiber is surrounded by a layer of non-conductive stranded strength members that are wound about the core. The core includes a plurality of pliable buffer tubes, each of which houses a bundle of optical fibers. The buffer tubes are helically wound about a cylindrical element in order to provide temperature performance by preventing the buffer tubes from experiencing thermally induced movement when exposed to varying temperatures. Each of the stranded strength members comprises a bundle of non-conducting filaments or fibers that are formed about a reinforcing element and encapsulated by individual polyethylene jackets. The reinforcing element reduces the tendency of the filaments to compress as the extruded jacket cures. The stranded strength members are helically wound about the central core.

Abstract: Optical amplifiers and other active optical components along a signal distribution path are remotely pumped by a common pump laser. The pump energy can be transmitted over the signal path or over a separate pump path. Pumping of rare earth doped optical fiber amplifiers, such as erbium doped fiber amplifiers is illustrated. The pump energy can be provided at about 1480 nanometers to take advantage of reduced attenuation at this wavelength along the fiber path.

Abstract: A mount for connecting a light source to optical fibers in a fiber optic catheter or the like is disclosed. The optical fibers are bonded to a mount body which mates with a light source. The mount body has a notch on its end, and the ends of the optical fibers project over this notch so that the substrate is not damaged by the light source. The fibers may project over the notch freely, or an insert may be provided in the notch for added stability.

Abstract: A method for producing a prestressed fiber-optic sensor of two superposed metal strips (2,3) sheathing an optical fiber (1) with the strips being secured to each other along their lateral sides to provide a sheath exerting a prestress on the optical fiber includes a first step of superposing the lateral sides of the strips and aligning the edges of the strips. The superposition of the sides is carried out so as to produce a desired prestress on the optical fiber after the sides have been secured together. In a further step, the strips are continuously welded to each other to unite the adjacent edges after superposition of their lateral sides. The welding is performed simultaneously along both sides of the strips and with the same input of energy. The invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out the method and a prestressed fiber-optic sensor produced thereby.

Abstract: A directional coupler type optical function element with a high extinction ratio, in which a junction of a 2-input/2-output directional coupler or 1-input/2-output directional coupler, formed of a semiconductor or dielectric, is formed by successively optically connecting, from the input side to the output side, a front-stage partial junction, front-stage partial junction with electrode, central partial junction, rear-stage partial junction with electrode, and rear-stage partial junction, each having a predetermined length. The connection state at the front-stage partial junction and an incidence-side lead section optically connected thereto and the connection state at the rear-stage partial junction and an emergence-side lead section optically connected thereto cancel each other, thereby equivalently providing a symmetrical connection state and preventing the extinction ratio for a cross mode from lowering.

Abstract: A light valve is a planar member in which liquid crystals are hermetically sealed, and allows the transmission of light in an almost parallel direction and selectively scattering undesired light. On a rear surface of the light valve is disposed a light guide tube which contains a plurality of minute apertures. Alternatively, one of the substrates which constitute the light valve may be made of a fiber plate. The fiber plate has a structure in which short optical fibers are stacked. The light guide tube or the fiber plate converges a luminous flux emitted from the light valve to improve the contrast of an image. A projection display apparatus is constituted of a light source, a light valve, either a light guide tube or a fiber plate, a lens, and a projection lens. A luminous flux emitted from either the light guide tube or the fiber plate is incident on the pupil of the projection lens by way of the lens, and the projection lens casts this luminous flux onto a screen, thus forming a projected image.

Abstract: Optoelectronic composite consisting of two chips, the first chip 10 being made of a first material, the second one 13 being made of another material. The first chip 10, for example, comprises a multiplicity of active optoelectronic devices e.g. a laser diode 11 and a photo diode 12, all being monolithically integrated. A multiplicity of other optical devices, e.g. a waveguide 16, is monolithically integrated on the second chip 13. In addition this second chip 13 has depressions of the size of the devices 11,12 integrated on said first chip 10. These devices and the waveguide 16 of the second chip 13 are automatically aligned when flipping both chips together.

Abstract: In a submarine repeater for a fibre optical transmission system, the cable and tail fibres at the A and B ends of the repeater are accommodated in storage structures. Each structure comprises two bodies 12, 13 (FIG. 1) having circular surface grooves or channels 125, 135 in which respective cable or tail fibres are stored. Straight channels 126, 136 provide communication between the circular channels and accommodate splices between the fibres stored therein.

Abstract: An end connector for fiber optic transport cables. A cable clamp received within a passageway of a housing which receives the cable is provided to hold the cable in a secured position so as to resist rotational and longitudinal forces applied to the cable. Support coupling units are provided both internal and external the equipment which the cable is to be connected to. The coupling units allow the end connector to be coupled to and decoupled from the equipment without unnecessary rotation of the end connector and cable and without having to remove the cable from the end connector. Grounding components are provided for grounding conductive members associated with the cable so as to prevent damage due to voltage surges and to prevent RF signal leakage.

Abstract: Molding optical components from a mold that is produced using the same type of optical fibers that will be interconnected by the optical components. The outer diameter of a silica optical fiber varies only by approximately .+-.1 micron and the outer surface of a silica optical fiber has an optical finish. Thus by using optical fiber to fabricate molds, molds can be produced which have the required accuracy and finish for the production of optical components. The outer coating of the optical fibers used to fabricate the mold is only removed within and in close proximity to a combination region in a splitter/combiner resulting in the capability to pigtail optical fibers attached to a splitter/combiner molded from the resulting mold.

Abstract: An imaging ball lens for wide field of view applications includes three elements. A first element is a plano-convex lens element with a convex and planar surface, the convex surface positioned facing an object side of the lens. The second plano-convex lens element has a convex and a planar surface. The planar surface of the second lens element is positioned facing the object side of the lens such that it is optically coupled to the planar surface of the first lens element. Also included is a plano-concave fiber optic faceplate with a concave and a planar surface. The concave surface of the faceplate is optically coupled to the convex surface of the second lens element facing the object side of the lens such that it is optically immersed with the fiber optic faceplate.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a light pipe having an optical axis. The light pipe includes a tube with a structured outer surface and a smooth inner surface. A reflective light extractor is positioned in the tube such that light reflected by the extractor will strike the tube on a first side. The first side has a contour such that the direction of travel of light reflected by the extractor will have a projection in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis that makes a predetermined angle with the smooth surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fibre including, over a part of its length, variations of refractive index disposed in plane, parallel and periodic strata, of period I, which are inclined at an angle .alpha. in relation to the axis of the fibre. The normal to the strata forms a non-zero angle with the axis of the fibre. The invention also relates to the application of the invention optical fibre as a selective extractor of flux, a light injector, a coupler, a sensor and a polarizer.

Abstract: A member of silicon, having at least two regions of single-crystal silicon having mutually different crystal orientations for anisotropic etching to produce advantageous profiles, and method for the manufacture thereof. In such a member of crystalline silicon, such as employed in silicon microtechnology, both adjustment aids for round and cylindrical members as well as adjustment aids for rectangular members can be fashioned using only the basis of anisotropic etching. The two regions can be defined by two wafers of differently oriented, single-crystal silicon that have their flat sides joined to one another.