Abstract: A method and apparatus to equalize the voltage across each light bulb in a low-voltage lighting system, commonly found in the yards of private homes and businesses. The present invention consists of a power compensation element that is inserted in-line with each light bulb connected to the bus lines that distribute current from a power source, such as an electrical transformer, to the light bulbs. The function of the power compensation element is to compensate for the voltage drop along the bus lines due primarily to the electrical resistance of the bus lines. Therefore, a compensation rating of the power compensation element may depend upon its location along the bus lines and the electrical resistivity of the bus lines, as well as the internal electrical resistance of the light bulbs. The preferred embodiment is an electrical resistive power compensation element where the rating of the element is its resistance value.

Abstract: Linearly-polarized, single-frequency fiber lasers are realized with optical fibers that have first and second refractive indices in a first fiber grating and third and fourth refractive indices in a second fiber grating. The first and third refractive indices are arranged along a first transverse fiber axis and the second and fourth refractive indices are arranged along a second transverse fiber axis. The grating periods and the first and third refractive indices are selected to generate spectrally-aligned signal reflectances along the first transverse axis and the grating periods and the second and fourth refractive indices are selected to generate spectrally-spaced signal reflectances along the second transverse axis. Thus, a fiber resonator is formed only along the first transverse axis and the fiber laser's output signal is linearly polarized.