Abstract: A vehicle incorporating a plurality of control motion gyroscopes (CMTs) contained within a support structure is described. Optionally, a mass shifting mechanism may also be incorporated in the vehicle. The vehicle and its CMTs are configured to have a plurality of gravitationally stable states on a sloped surface.

Abstract: A vehicle incorporating a plurality of control motion gyroscopes (CMTs) contained within a support structure is described. Optionally, a mass shifting mechanism may also be incorporated in the vehicle. The vehicle and its CMTs are configured to have a plurality of gravitationally stable states on a sloped surface.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for setting a light loss through an optical fiber. A portion of the optical fiber is clamped. An unclamped portion of the optical fiber is bent. A bent region of the optical fiber is heated. The amount of light that is at least one of leaving the heated bent region or passing through the optical fiber downstream from the heated bent region is monitored. The heating is discontinued when the amount of light reaches the desired level. The resulting optical fiber has particular application in an optical coupler.

Abstract: A first optical fiber is coupled to a second optical fiber by ablating a portion of the cladding from the first and second optical fibers, thus exposing or nearly exposing the fibers' cores, bringing the ablated regions close together in the presence of an optical couplant, adjusting the alignment of the fibers so as to achieve a desired optical coupling ratio, and securing the fibers relative to each other. The ablation can be accomplished using a laser. The fibers can be secured mechanically or using adhesives. The finished coupler can be sleeved or otherwise encapsulated for physical protection. The technique can be applied to pairs of fiber ribbons, each having multiple optical fibers.

Abstract: A multi-port optical coupler applies the transition loss principle to exchange light among optical fibers through optical fiber bends. In a four-port embodiment, the coupler includes first and second injector fibers located in precise optical alignment on a substrate. A continuous fiber segment is configured so that a portion thereof is positioned on the substrate between and in optical alignment with the injector fibers. This portion of the fiber segment can be moved to a second position out of alignment with the injector fibers. First and second depressors impart first and second bends to portions of the fiber segment adjacent to and in optical alignment with the first and second injector fibers. Light can be injected into or extracted from the fiber segment through these bends by the injector fibers when the fiber bend is severe enough to create a transition loss and when the bends are in optical alignment with the injector fibers.

Abstract: A first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, and a prism are used to turn light through 180° in a small space. The prism can be a discrete microprism or a custom prism specially made using precision molding techniques or by specially machining a section of coreless optical fiber using precision machining techniques. A precision holder or substrate can be used to facilitate molding of a prism and/or assembly of the overall apparatus.

Abstract: A device for injecting light from one of a first group of optical fibers into a corresponding one of a second group of optical fibers includes a holder for locating each of the fibers in the first and second groups, a clamp for securing fibers in the second group to the holder, and a depressor for laterally displacing each of the fibers in the second group, thus forming a bend in each of the fibers in the second group. The maximum curvature in the bend occurs where the fibers in the second group exit the clamp. Light is injected from fibers in the first group into corresponding fibers in the second group at the point of maximum curvature. An optical gel may be used to used to promote optical coupling between fibers in the first group and fibers in the second group. The optical fibers in the second group may include a lens for focusing the light to be injected. The device can function in reverse to extract light from fibers in the second group into fibers in the first group.

Abstract: An optical fiber is bent to form a discontinuous curve through which light can be injected into the fiber or extracted from the fiber. The bend can be formed by securing a portion of the optical fiber in a fixture and laterally displacing a portion of the fiber outside the fixture using a depressor. The depressor can be an integral part of the securing fixture or a separate device. The securing fixture can be adjustable so that the degree and location of the bend can be varied. Injected light can be sourced from a second optical fiber, and extracted light can be supplied to a second optical fiber which can have a lens at its free end.