Abstract: An optical sensing system and method are disclosed. The optical sensing system includes one or more bus waveguides. A first bus waveguide includes an input port that is in optical communication with a light source. The system further includes a microresonator optically coupled to the bus waveguides and an optical scattering center configured for alteration of a strength of optical coupling between the optical scattering center and the microresonator. In addition, the system includes a detector in optical communication one of the bus waveguides or the microresonator.

Abstract: An optical microresonator system and a sensor system incorporating same are disclosed. The optical microresonator system includes an optical waveguide and an optical microcavity that is optically coupled to the optical waveguide. The microcavity is capable of supporting primarily one or more resonant modes. The optical microresonator system further includes an optical microresonator that is optically coupled to the microcavity and is capable of supporting a resonant mode.

Abstract: An optical microresonator device is described including an optical waveguide and an optical microresonator positioned so as to optically couple to the waveguide. The waveguide includes a core and a metal cladding layer on at least part of one boundary of the core.

Abstract: An optical sensing system and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of detecting a scattering center includes the step of providing an optical sensing system including a light source, one or more bus waveguides where a first bus waveguide has an input port that is in optical communication with the light source, a microresonator optically coupled to the one or more bus waveguides, and a scattering center which is capable of optically coupling to the microresonator. The method further includes the steps of exciting at least a first resonant guided optical mode of the microresonator with the light source, altering a strength of optical coupling between the scattering center and the microresonator to induce a change in optical scattering between the first mode and at least a second guided optical mode of the microresonator, and detecting a change in transfer of energy from the first mode to the second mode.

Abstract: An optical device and a sensor system incorporating same are disclosed. The optical device includes a microresonator that has a core with input and output ports. The output port is different than the input port. The optical device further includes first and second optical waveguides. Each optical waveguide has a core with input and output faces. The output face of the core of the first optical waveguide physically contacts the input port of the core of the microresonator. The input face of the core of the second optical waveguide physically contacts the output port of the core of the microresonator.

Abstract: A higher-order dispersion compensator for tuning a polarization controlled signal having a first order polarization mode dispersion component, a second order polarization mode dispersion component, and a variable chromatic dispersion component. The compensator includes a first tuning element that adjusts the first order polarization mode dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal, and a second tuning element that adjusts the second order polarization mode dispersion component and the variable chromatic dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal. The first tuning element, which includes a differential delay line, includes a polarization beam splitter coupled to receive the polarization controlled signal. The first tuning element includes a first waveguide optically coupled to receive a first polarization component and a second waveguide optically coupled to receive a second polarization component. A first tuning mechanism is provided that tunes one of the gratings.

Abstract: A higher-order dispersion compensator for tuning a polarization controlled signal having a first polarization mode dispersion component, a second order polarization mode dispersion component, and a variable chromatic dispersion component. The compensator includes a first tuning element that adjusts the first order polarization mode dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal. The compensator also includes a second tuning element that adjusts the second order polarization mode dispersion component and the variable chromatic dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal.

Abstract: A higher-order dispersion compensator including a chromatic dispersion compensator coupled to receive an input signal; a phase modulator optically coupled to the chromatic dispersion compensator, wherein the phase modulator selectively chirps portions of the data pulses; and a tunable dynamic dispersion element coupled to receive the phase modulated signal. The tunable dynamic dispersion element includes a first waveguide having a first non-linearly chirped grating tuned to reflect the polarization controlled signal and having a first reference reflection point; and a first tuning mechanism that tunes the first grating.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide device in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of depositing a lower cladding layer; coating a photoresist layer directly on the lower cladding layer; patterning the photoresist layer to create channels; depositing a core layer, wherein a first portion of the core layer is deposited inside the channels and a second portion overlays the patterned photoresist layer; removing the patterned photoresist layer and the second portions of the core layer overlaying the patterned photoresist layer; and depositing an upper cladding layer.

Abstract: A method for compensating for polarization mode dispersion of an incoming optical communications signal including the step of orienting the state of polarization of the incoming optical communications signal with respect to the axes of a polarization splitter. The communications signal is split into a first and a second orthogonal states of polarization at a split point. The first of the polarization states is directed to a first birefringent optical waveguide having a first chirped grating having a first reference reflection point. The second of the polarization states is directed to a second birefringent optical waveguide having a second chirped grating having a chirp pattern substantially similar to that of the first chirped grating and having a second reference reflection point. The optical path length from the second reflection point to the split point is adjustably varied to compensate for polarization dispersion between the first and second states of polarization.

Abstract: A method for compensating for higher-order dispersion of an incoming optical communications signal in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of compensating the signal for first order polarization mode dispersion; compensating the signal for second order polarization mode dispersion; and compensating the signal for variable chromatic dispersion. Additionally, the method may include the steps of compensation for fixed chromatic dispersion and controlling the polarization of the incoming signal. The signal may be monitored after the compensating steps and the degree of compensation may be tuned based on the monitoring.

Abstract: A method for compensating for polarization mode dispersion of an incoming optical communications signal including the step of orienting the state of polarization of the incoming optical communications signal with respect to the axes of a polarization splitter. The communications signal is split into a first and a second orthogonal states of polarization at a split point. The first of the polarization states is directed to a first birefringent optical waveguide having a first chirped grating having a first reference reflection point. The second of the polarization states is directed to a second birefringent optical waveguide having a second chirped grating having a chirp pattern substantially similar to that of the first chirped grating and having a second reference reflection point. The optical path length from the second reflection point to the split point is adjustably varied to compensate for polarization dispersion between the first and second states of polarization.

Abstract: An adaptive polarization mode dispersion compensator including a polarization controller and a differential polarization delay unit. The polarization controller converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a controller output signal having a desired state of polarization. The differential polarization delay unit is optically coupled to receive the controller output signal from the polarization controller. The differential polarization delay unit includes a polarization beam splitter element and a first and a second birefringent optical waveguide. At least one tuning mechanism is coupled to at least one of the gratings, wherein the tuning mechanism variably adjusts one of the reference reflection points with respect to the other reference reflection point. A combiner element recombines the two reflected orthogonal polarization signals into a delay line output.

Abstract: A higher-order dispersion compensator including a chromatic dispersion compensator coupled to receive an input signal; a phase modulator optically coupled to the chromatic dispersion compensator, wherein the phase modulator selectively chirps portions of the data pulses; and a tunable dynamic dispersion element coupled to receive the phase modulated signal. The tunable dynamic dispersion element includes a first waveguide having a first non-linearly chirped grating tuned to reflect the polarization controlled signal and having a first reference reflection point; and a first tuning mechanism that tunes the first grating.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide device in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of depositing a lower cladding layer; coating a photoresist layer directly on the lower cladding layer; patterning the photoresist layer to create channels; depositing a core layer, wherein a first portion of the core layer is deposited inside the channels and a second portion overlays the patterned photoresist layer; removing the patterned photoresist layer and the second portions of the core layer overlaying the patterned photoresist layer; and depositing an upper cladding layer.

Abstract: A high-order dispersion compensator having a first order and a second-order polarization mode dispersion compensation elements including a polarization beam splitter coupled to receive the polarization controlled signal, where the polarization beam splitter splits the polarization controlled signal into a first polarization component and a second orthogonal polarization component. A first waveguide is optically coupled to receive the first polarization signal, the first waveguide having a first non-linearly chirped grating tuned to reflect the first polarization signal and having a first reference reflection point. A second waveguide is optically coupled to receive the second polarization signal, the second waveguide having a second non-linearly chirped grating tuned to reflect the second polarization signal and having a second reference reflection point.

Abstract: A high-order compensator including a first tuning element that adjusts the first order polarization mode dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal and a second tuning element that adjusts the second order polarization mode dispersion component and the variable chromatic dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal. The compensator may further include a polarization controller that converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a polarization controlled signal having a desired state of polarization. The first tuning element may include a differential higher-order delay line including a polarization beam splitter/combiner coupled to receive the polarization controlled signal, where the polarization beam splitter splits the polarization controlled signal into a first polarization component and a second orthogonal polarization component.

Abstract: A method for compensating for higher-order dispersion of an incoming optical communications signal in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of compensating the signal for first order polarization mode dispersion; compensating the signal for second order polarization mode dispersion; and compensating the signal for variable chromatic dispersion. Additionally, the method may include the steps of compensation for fixed chromatic dispersion and controlling the polarization of the incoming signal. The signal may be monitored after the compensating steps and the degree of compensation may be tuned based on the monitoring.

Abstract: An adaptive polarization mode dispersion compensator including a polarization controller and a differential polarization delay unit. The polarization controller converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a controller output signal having a desired state of polarization. The differential polarization delay unit is optically coupled to receive the controller output signal from the polarization controller. The differential polarization delay unit includes a polarization beam splitter element and a first and a second birefringent optical waveguide.

Abstract: Optical devices using shaped optical fibers and methods for using shaped optical fibers.