Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a multimode optical fiber communication system is provided with offset illumination by disposing an optical pinhole adjacent an end of the multimode fiber core and offset from the center of the core. The pinhole permits direct offset illumination without the difficulty and expense of a conventional patch-cord assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an optical fiber system comprising a laser source an optical fiber including a reflective input end for receiving light from the source is provided with a polarization quarter-wave plate between the laser and the reflective end for minimizing power fluctuations from back reflection. The quarter-wave plate does not prevent back reflection but rather rotates the polarization of the back reflected light so that it does not interfere with the polarized light within the cavity. In an advantageous embodiment the quarter-wave plate is disposed within a receptacle laser package.

Abstract: This invention provides an electrooptic sensor device which is adapted to measure micro-circuit electrical signals with subpicosecond resolution. The sensor device has an electrooptic organic polymer film matrix. The sensor device is positioned adjacent to an electrical signal transmission line of a micro-circuit, and within a fringe electric field of the transmission line. Birefringence is induced in the electrooptic polymer film matrix by the fringe electric field generated by a propagation electrical signal in the transmission line. An optical probe beam of focused electrical signal-synchronized laser pulses of picosecond range duration is beamed into the birefringent polymer film matrix, and the output laser pulses are processed to provide an optical profile measurement of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing a poled nonlinear optical media is disclosed and claimed. The inventive process includes the steps of heating a film of suitable polymer above its Tg, poling the film in an electric field and heat treating the medium while the field is maintained. Films so produced maintain their nonlinear optical activity over time at a much higher value than films that are not heat treated under the influence of an electric field.

Abstract: A waveguiding polarizer utilizing a birefringent polymer film cladding layer is disclosed and claimed. The cladding layer may be a spin-coated polyimide, polyarylate, polyaramide or like polymer. Core and cladding layers are selected so that waveguiding conditions are achieved for light of predetermined polarity, for example, a transverse magnetic mode only.

Abstract: This invention provides process embodiments for the production of second order nonlinear optical media and waveguiding devices. An important aspect of an invention waveguiding device is the use of a novel electrode design which permits the application of a high voltage electric field for molecular orientation of a dipolar organic waveguiding medium.

Abstract: This invention provides nonlinear optical media which have a stable noncentrosymmetric array of side chain polymer molecules, such as an electric field poled and stabilized medium of a 50/50 copolymer of N-methyl-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]phenylamino-2-ethyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate and 4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyenyl]phenylthio-2-ethyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate.

Abstract: This invention provides process embodiments for the production of second order nonlinear optical media and waveguiding devices. An important aspect of an invention waveguiding device is the use of a novel electrode design which permits the application of a high voltage electric field for molecular orientation of a dipolar organic waveguiding medium.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides a polarization-insensitive interferometric waveguide electrooptic modulator device. In a Mach-Zehnder type of waveguide geometry, one of the divergent optical paths has two sets of electrodes, which apply a horizontal electric field and a vertical electric field, respectively, to a nonlinear optically responsive polymeric medium in the optical path. The polymer medium section between each set of electrodes has a noncentrosymmetric molecular orientation parallel to the respective electric fields.