Abstract: A method is provided for converting optical energy to electrical energy in a spectrally adaptive manner. The method begins by directing optical energy into a first photovoltaic module that includes non-single crystalline semiconductor layers defining a junction such that a first spectral portion of the optical energy is converted into a first quantity of electrical energy. A second spectral portion of the optical energy unabsorbed by the first module is absorbed by a second photovoltaic module that includes non-single crystalline semiconductor layers defining a junction and converted into a second quantity of electrical energy. The first quantity of electrical energy is conducted from the first module to a first external electrical circuit along a first path. The second quantity of electrical energy is conducted from the second module to a second external electrical circuit along a second path that is in parallel with the first path.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting optical energy to electrical energy in a spectrally adaptive manner. The method begins by directing optical energy into a first photovoltaic module that includes non-single crystalline semiconductor layers defining a junction such that a first spectral portion of the optical energy is converted into a first quantity of electrical energy. A second spectral portion of the optical energy unabsorbed by the first module is absorbed by a second photovoltaic module that includes non-single crystalline semiconductor layers defining a junction and converted into a second quantity of electrical energy. The first quantity of electrical energy is conducted from the first module to a first external electrical circuit along a first path. The second quantity of electrical energy is conducted from the second module to a second external electrical circuit along a second path that is in parallel with the first path.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting optical energy to electrical energy in a spectrally adaptive manner. The method begins by directing optical energy into a first photovoltaic module that includes non-single crystalline semiconductor layers defining a junction such that a first spectral portion of the optical energy is converted into a first quantity of electrical energy. A second spectral portion of the optical energy unabsorbed by the first module is absorbed by a second photovoltaic module that includes non-single crystalline semiconductor layers defining a junction and converted into a second quantity of electrical energy. The first quantity of electrical energy is conducted from the first module to a first external electrical circuit along a first path. The second quantity of electrical energy is conducted from the second module to a second external electrical circuit along a second path that is in parallel with the first path.

Abstract: A planar waveguide optical amplifier includes a substrate and an active waveguide formed on the substrate for imparting gain to an optical signal propagating therethrough. The active waveguide has an input port for receiving an optical signal to be amplified and an output port on which an amplified optical signal is directed. A plurality of coupling elements are formed on the substrate and are adapted to couple pump power to the active waveguide. The plurality of coupling elements are located at predetermined positions along the active waveguide.

Abstract: An integrated optical device is provided for distributing optical pump energy. The device includes at least one input port for receiving optical energy, a plurality of output ports, and a user configurable optical network coupled to the input port for distributing the optical energy among the output ports in a prescribed manner in conformance with a user-selected configuration.

Abstract: An optical module is provided for performing a prescribed function such as dispersion compensation, for example. The optical module is to be integrated between stages of a multi-stage rare-earth doped optical amplifier. The module includes an input port for receiving optical energy from one stage of the rare-earth doped optical amplifier and a rare-earth doped planar waveguide coupled to the input port. An optically lossy, passive element is provided for performing the prescribed function. The optically lossy, passive element is coupled to the planar waveguide for receiving optical energy therefrom. An output port is coupled to the optically lossy, passive element for providing optical energy to another stage of the rare-earth doped optical amplifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for attaching a external optical component processing an optical beam to a PLC and optically aligning the external optical component with an optical element formed on the PLC. The method begins by securing the external optical component to a first side of a submount. A first side of a flexure element is secured to the first side of the submount. A second side of the flexure element is secured to a first side of the PLC on which the optical element is formed such that the external optical component and the optical element are in optical alignment to within a first level of tolerance. Subsequent to the step of securing the second side of the flexure element, a force is exerted on at least a second side of the submount to thereby flex the flexure element. The force causes sufficient flexure of the flexure element to optically align the external optical component and optical element to within a second level of tolerance that is more stringent than the first level of tolerance.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser source includes a laser diode having front and rear facets. The laser diode includes a substrate and a lower cladding layer disposed on the substrate. The lower cladding layer is doped with a dopant of the first conductivity type. An active layer is disposed on the lower cladding layer and an upper cladding layer is disposed on the active layer. The upper cladding layer is doped with a dopant of the second conductivity type. At least one electrode is disposed on a first outer layer of the diode. A pair of electrodes is disposed on a second outer layer of the diode. The second outer layer is located on a side of the diode opposing the first outer layer. The pair of electrodes is configured to allow application of different currents to each one of the electrodes in the pair of electrodes. A reflector, which is located external to the laser diode, is in optical communication with the front facet of the laser diode for providing optical feedback to the active region.

Abstract: A multistage optical amplifier includes a fiber amplifier stage having an active optical fiber for imparting gain to an optical signal propagating therethrough and a coupler supplying pump energy to the optical fiber. A planar waveguide amplifier stage is optically coupled to the fiber amplifier stage. The waveguide amplifier including a substrate, an active planar waveguide formed on the substrate for imparting gain to an optical signal propagating therethrough, and at least one waveguide coupler formed on the substrate for coupling pump power to the active planar waveguide.

Abstract: A planar waveguide optical amplifier includes a substrate and an active waveguide formed on the substrate for imparting gain to an optical signal propagating therethrough. The active waveguide has an input port for receiving an optical signal to be amplified and an output port on which an amplified optical signal is directed. A plurality of coupling elements are formed on the substrate and are adapted to couple pump power to the active waveguide. The plurality of coupling elements are located at predetermined positions along the active waveguide.

Abstract: An integrated optical device is provided for distributing optical pump energy. The device includes at least one input port for receiving optical energy, a plurality of output ports, and a user configurable optical network coupled to the input port for distributing the optical energy among the output ports in a prescribed manner in conformance with a user-selected configuration.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser source includes a laser diode having front and rear facets. The laser diode includes a substrate and a lower cladding layer disposed on the substrate. The lower cladding layer is doped with a dopant of the first conductivity type. An active layer is disposed on the lower cladding layer and an upper cladding layer is disposed on the active layer. The upper cladding layer is doped with a dopant of the second conductivity type. At least one electrode is disposed on a first outer layer of the diode. A pair of electrodes is disposed on a second outer layer of the diode. The second outer layer is located on a side of the diode opposing the first outer layer. The pair of electrodes is configured to allow application of different currents to each one of the electrodes in the pair of electrodes. A reflector, which is located external to the laser diode, is in optical communication with the front facet of the laser diode for providing optical feedback to the active region.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for making planar waveguides. The method comprises the steps of providing a workpiece comprising a layer of material suitable for the wave guide strip; patterning the layer so that the workpiece comprises, a base portion and the at least one protruding portion; forming a cladding layer on the protruding portion; and attaching the cladding layer to a substrate. Depending on the composition of the workpiece, the process may further require removing the base portion to expose the bottom surface of the protruding portion. With this method, a planar waveguide or a planar waveguide amplifier may be fabricated having thickness dimensions greater than 5 &mgr;m, or more preferably, in the range of 10-20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A multistage optical amplifier includes a fiber amplifier stage having an active optical fiber for imparting gain to an optical signal propagating therethrough and a coupler supplying pump energy to the optical fiber. A planar waveguide amplifier stage is optically coupled to the fiber amplifier stage. The waveguide amplifier including a substrate, an active planar waveguide formed on the substrate for imparting gain to an optical signal propagating therethrough, and at least one waveguide coupler formed on the substrate for coupling pump power to the active planar waveguide.

Abstract: A compact laser package having a submount with a plurality of electrical contact pads and a plurality of electrical connection lines formed thereon. The submount may be configured to receive at least one optical component thereon, the at least one optical component being in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of electrical connection lines. A lid is provided, the lid having a recessed portion and a groove formed therein, the recessed portion being positioned in an interior of the lid and the groove being positioned to intersect the recessed portion and a peripheral edge of the lid. The submount is generally configured to cooperatively engage the lid to form a hermetically sealed laser package.

Abstract: A planar waveguide optical amplifier includes a substrate and an active waveguide formed on the substrate for imparting gain to an optical signal propagating therethrough. The active waveguide has an input port for receiving an optical signal to be amplified and an output port on which an amplified optical signal is directed. A plurality of coupling elements are formed on the substrate and are adapted to couple pump power to the active waveguide. The plurality of coupling elements are located at predetermined positions along the active waveguide.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an optical device is provided that includes an N×N network, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The network has N input ports for receiving optical input energy and N output ports for providing optical output energy. The optical output energy at each of the output ports arises from interference among the optical input energy received at the input ports. (N−1) feedback paths optically couple (N−1) of the input ports of the N×N network to (N−1) of the output ports of the N×N network. A first optical waveguide, which is provided for receiving an input optical signal, is coupled to a remaining one of the input ports of the N×N network. A second optical waveguide, which is provided for the exit of an output optical signal, is coupled to a remaining one of the output ports of the N×N network.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to compensate for dispersion in a transmission medium. The apparatus includes an input port for receiving a WDM optical signal having a plurality of signal wavelengths and a first Bragg transmission grating receiving the WDM optical signal from the input port. The first Bragg transmission grating has non-zero dispersion at at least one of the signal wavelengths. The first Bragg transmission grating also has a Bragg wavelength that is chosen so that all of the plurality of signal wavelengths lie outside of a reflection band of the first Bragg transmission grating. A second Bragg transmission grating, which is optically coupled to the first Bragg transmission grating, has a non-zero dispersion at at least one of the signal wavelengths. The second Bragg transmission grating also has a Bragg wavelength that is selected so that all of the plurality of signal wavelengths lie outside of a reflection band of the second Bragg transmission grating.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical coupler comprising a plurality of optical fibers that have unclad (core-exposed) ends and tapered cladding regions extending to cladded ends. The core-exposed ends are arranged in a bundle, and the cladded ends can be arranged as needed. The optical coupler can efficiently couple between waveguides of different core areas and shapes. For example, it may be used to connect a multimode collection fiber having a core area of greater than 50 &mgr;m to a planar waveguide amplifier having waveguide strips with heights of 5 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A compact laser package having a submount with a plurality of electrical contact pads and a plurality of electrical connection lines formed thereon. The submount may be configured to receive at least one optical component thereon, the at least one optical component being in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of electrical connection lines. A lid is provided, the lid having a recessed portion and a groove formed therein, the recessed portion being positioned in an interior of the lid and the groove being positioned to intersect the recessed portion and a peripheral edge of the lid. The submount is generally configured to cooperatively engage the lid to form a hermetically sealed laser package.