Abstract: A method of splicing two optical fiber cables uses a glass multi-ferrule having a series of parallel axis internal capillary channels opening onto respective end surfaces of the multi-ferrule and two exterior reference surfaces. An adhesive that is polymerized by ultraviolet light is introduced into these channels. The multi-ferrule is cut into three sections. The splicing is achieved by jointing the outermost two sections.

Abstract: An optical assembly for an LED printhead includes a longitudinally extending linear lens array. A stiffener bar is attached to the lens array along a substantial longitudinal dimension of the lens array. A lens mount base plate supports the stiffener bar and a pin and slot connection is provided for permitting thermally induced dimensional change in two dimensions of the stiffener bar relative to the lens mount base plate.

Abstract: A technique for interconnecting photonic circuits employing a fixed field of optical couplers situated between adjacent layers of photonic circuits. The coupler field facilitates the direct connection of optical fibers linked to components in one of the adjacent layers of photonic circuits with optical fibers linked to components in another adjacent layer. Each optical coupler within the field is a standard, commercially available optical fiber coupler which mates the optical fibers via a single low-loss connection. In addition, as each of these connectors allows easy connection/disconnection of optical fibers, reconfiguring previous interlayer connections is simplified. In a particular embodiment, the coupler field includes a plurality of individual couplers arranged in a regular geometric pattern upon a panel oriented at a 45.degree. angle with respect to the circuit packs of the adjacent layers. This provides easy access to the couplers, and allows for uncomplicated indexing of each connection.

Abstract: A fiber optic plug assembly (10) including resistance-fit cover-halves (12A and 12B) which are combinative to house both simplex plugs (20) and duplex plugs (not shown) to permit duplex data transmission to take place using simplex parts.The plug assembly (10) including the plugs (20) thereof may be quickly and easily connected and disconnected as desired.

Abstract: An optical switch for use as a shutter for intercepting or passing light signals, such as beam lights, including a piezoelectric actuator attached at one end thereof to a base plate and at its other end to an optical shielding object for intercepting or passing over light beams, a mirror installed on a location close to the place where the piezoelectric actuator is attached to the base plate to reflect passed light beams, and the piezoelectric actuator being coupled to a source of energy. The light signals are intercepted or passed by the movement of the object due to modifications of the piezoelectric actuator, and the passed light signals are reflected by the mirror and detected by an optical detector.

Abstract: A light transmitting catheter includes a tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The tube contains aqueous fluid an interior surface on the tube has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of water. The proximal end is provided with an adapter for receiving light from a light source associated with the proximal end of the tube and with an adapter for accepting an aqueous fluid to be passed throughout a substantial length of the tube for transmitting light to the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical fiber comprising a core and a cladding layer wherein at least one of the constitutional parameters thereof changes along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. In order to present a useful optical fiber wherein the occurrence of a Brillouin scattering is prevented, an optical fiber having altered constitutional parameters is found to be effective. The constitutional parameters mean the parameters which determine the constitution of the optical fiber and is capable of influencing the condition of electromagnetic wave transmitting therethrough such as light or acoustic wave. The constitutional parameters include diameter of the core, index of refraction of the core, diameter of the optical fiber, composition of the glass, residual stress of the core. Some examples are disclosed about their manufacturing process and the test results. Much improvement was measured, especially in the use for a single mode optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber containing intrinsic alignment features is disclosed. The fiber comprises a core, cladding layer, cladding insert or inserts, and a jacket. The outer shape of the tip of a fiber can be altered by etching away the jacket and cladding insert or inserts. The respective solubilities of the cladding insert and the cladding layer in etchants are selected to provide control of the resulting fiber shape upon completion of etching.

Abstract: An asymmetric hyperbolic microlens on the end of a single-mode optical fiber enhances the fiber's coupling to elliptical laser beams. The lenses, with controlled eccentricity ratios, are made by micromachining the end of the fiber with a pulsed CO.sub.2 laser as the fiber is directed, preferably by computer control, about the focused laser beam. Coupling efficiencies of 90 percent (-0.75 dB) have been realized with single transverse mode lasers at a wavelength of 0.98 .mu.m having an approximately 3 to 1 beam ellipicity. With multimode lasers at 1.48 .mu.m having similar elliptical beams, the asymmetric lenses demonstrate an almost 2 dB increase in coupling efficiency over symmetric hyperbolic microlenses. Such lasers are useful to pump erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. About 120 mw was coupled from such a laser into single-mode fiber.

Abstract: An opto-electronic transducer having a lens-type optical coupling wherein a lens within a lens carrier is arranged in the beam path immediately in front of the transducer. The lens carrier, together with the lens, are fixed to a fastening part by a fastening layer that is adjusted relative to the beam axis of the transducer. The fastening part is part of a common carrier for the transducer. The opto-electronic transducer and the lens carrier together with the lens are secured on the common carrier in such a spacial relationship relative to one another that the beam axis of the transducer is perpendicular to the surface formed by the fastening layer. The opto-electronic transducer of the invention is particularly suited for use as a light waveguide transmission or reception component or, alternatively, as an individual light source.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus and method for use in installing fiber optic cable, one embodiment of which utilizes a novel connector-coupling nut assembly, is disclosed herein. The apparatus largely comprises an elongated connector body with spring means disposed about the body's circumference for receiving and retaining a coupling nut which has a threaded internal configuration for mating with the spring means of the elongated connector body. When received by the connector body, the novel coupling nut is held in a securely captive position along the elongated connector body by suitable retaining means configured about the exterior surface of the connector body and the interior surface of the coupling nut, which means interact with each other.

Abstract: A novel optical system is taught including an optical source, an optical modulator having at least one optical input port for receiving the optical signal from the optical source, a modulation port for receiving the optical signal from the optical source, a modulation port for receiving a modulating signal, and complementary output port signals. The complementary modulated output signals are applied to one or more optical receivers at the other end of an optical transmission link. In one embodiment, the two complementary signals are provided to two separate optical receivers, thereby allowing distribution of optically modulated signals, for example, in a cable television or other type distribution system. In another embodiment, the two complementary modulated signals are applied to a single balanced receiver, thereby providing information content to the complementary receiver twice the power level available on either one channel alone.

Abstract: A communication cable (20) includes a core (22) comprising a plurality of transmission media having a relatively supple layer (26) of a plastic material wrapped thereabout. Disposed about the layer of plastic material and in engagement therewith is a relatively rigid inner plastic jacket (28). Disposed about the inner jacket are additional components of a sheath system such as metallic shields and one or more additional plastic jackets. Interposed between the relatively supple layer of plastic material and the jacket is a water-blocking system which comprises two elongated strand materials (42, 44) such as yarns. The two elongated strand materials are wrapped helically about the layer of plastic material in opposite helical directions. The elongated strand materials are characterized by being yarn blends which comprise a portion of water-blocking filaments and a portion of relatively high strength filaments.

Abstract: Simple and inexpensive optical fibre splicing apparatus comprises a splicing station comprising a fibre support table and a pair of electrodes; high voltage circuitry for striking an arc; clamp assemblies at opposite ends of the table for holding end parts of aligned fibres on the table with their end faces spaced a predetermined distance apart between the electrodes, a part of at least one of the clamp assemblies being constrained to move towards and away from the other; mechanical means for controlling movement of the part of the movable clamp assembly; and a firing button for actuating the high voltage circuitry and mechanical control means. Preferably, a low voltage power source is housed in a casing separately formed with respect to the casing of the splicing station and is connected to the high voltage circuitry of the splicing station by a flexible cable.

Abstract: A steam resistant optical fiber cable for use adjacent underground steam ducts in metropolitan locations. The optical fiber cable comprises polyethersulfone loose tubes for enhanced hydrolytic stability and a welded aluminum tube swaged over the fiber core to provide moisture imperviousness. The welded aluminum tube is bonded to the fiber core with an intermediate resin barrier layer to provide resistance to repeated cyclic flexing of the cable.

Abstract: An optical waveguide type light wavelength shifter device has a core made of a nonlinear optical crystal and a cladding. The optical waveguide type light wavelength shifter device is provided with a thermoelectric element so that wavelength variation of the second harmonic wave resulting from a variation in the wavelength of an incident light can be minimized.

Abstract: Methods for making proton-exchanged, multi-function integrated optics chips, preferably chips based on the stable, rhombohedral lithium niobate structure, and having substantially diffused protons, while being substantially free of microcracking and of internal stresses that can result in microcracking, and yet having optimally high electro-optic coefficients, include the steps of: forming a multi-function integrated optics chip substrate from a substrate such as lithium niobate; affixing a removable mask or mask pattern to at least one surface of the chip to form one or more proton-exchanged patterns of desired size and shape at the surface of the chip; treating the masked chip with a proton-exchanging acid such as benzoic acid at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause substantial proton exchange at and below the unmasked surface of the chip, but for a time insufficient to create any microcracking or internal stresses that lead to microcracking in the chip; removing the mask or mask pattern from th

Abstract: A tight buffered optical waveguide fiber having improved strippability is provided. The fiber includes a core, a cladding, a first protective coating in contact with the cladding, an interfacial layer in contact with the first protective coating, and a buffer layer in contact with the interfacial layer. The interfacial layer comprises a solid lubricant such as sub-micron particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in a film-forming binder. The concentration of particles at the external surface of the interfacial layer is preferably greater than the concentration at the internal surface so that the interfacial layer is more adherent to the first protective coating than to the buffer layer. This differential adhesion facilitates the manufacturing process while still allowing long lengths (e.g., a foot or more) of either the buffer layer or both the buffer layer and the first protective coating to be removed from the cladding without damage to the fiber's physical and optical properties.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical probe for emission of light from a region smaller than a wavelength. The optical probe includes a transmission line fed by an optic fiber and an impedance matched coupling. In a first embodiment the optical probe ends with a surface-wave transmission line including a central conductor and a coaxial dielectric. The diameter of the central conductor at the optic fiber is selected to substantially match the transmission impedance of the surface-wave transmission line to that of the optic fiber. The diameter of the central conductor decreases to a diameter smaller than the use wavelength at the tip end. The far end of the dielectric preferably includes a concavity to shape the resulting electric fields. In an alternative embodiment, the optical probe includes a coaxial transmisson line. The optic fiber includes a section having a decreasing diameter outer cladding and a section having no outer cladding.

Abstract: A molded polymeric resin-filled coupler comprising two low-refractive index plastic molded subassemblies. One subassembly has an optically finished mixing region, with a channel that has a V shaped lower portion. The mixing region subassembly is covered with a lid subassembly of the same material as the mixing region subassembly. During assembly, optical fibers are inserted into the mixing region subassembly which is then filled with a high index material to form a high-refractive index waveguide core region in the channel. The molded low-refractive index subassemblies provide a waveguide cladding around the high-refractive index waveguide core. Low cost is attained by utilizing optically finished metal molds to produce the subassemblies resulting in an optically finished mixing region and lid subassemblies without the need to polish each subassembly.