Patents by Inventor Kenneth S. Feder
Kenneth S. Feder has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11933600Abstract: An extended length of optical fiber having an offset core with an inscribed Bragg grating is used a distributed sensor in combination with an optical frequency domain reflectometer (OFDR) to enable measurement small-scale (e.g., sub-millimeter) contortions and forces as applied to the fiber. The offset core may be disposed in a spiral configuration around the central axis of the optical fiber to improve the spatial resolution of the measurement. A reference surface exhibit a predetermined texture (in the form of a series of corrugations, for example, that may be periodic or aperiodic, as long as known a priori) is disposed adjacent to a longitudinal portion of the sensor fiber. The application of a force to the combination of the plate and the fiber creates a local strain in the grating formed along the offset core of the fiber that results in a shift in the Bragg wavelength of the grating.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Raja A Ahmad, Kenneth S Feder, Wing Ko, Paul S Westbrook
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Patent number: 11248144Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coating composition comprising a silsesquioxane component having one or more reactive functional groups that render it curable using ultraviolet radiation; where the one or more reactive functional groups are selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, a vinyl ether, or an epoxy; and optionally, a co-reactive non-silsesquioxane monomer and/or an oligomer having one or more reactive functional groups that are curable using ultraviolet radiation and are selected from the group consisting of free radically curable acrylates, cationically curable epoxies, and cationically curable vinyl ethers; where the coating composition is disposed and cured on an optical article; where the optical article is at least one of an optical fiber or an optical planar waveguide; and where the average functionality of the composition is greater than one.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Debra A Simoff, Kenneth S Feder, Yaowen Li, Jacob Wrubel, Kenichi Suyama, Mei Wen
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Publication number: 20210389121Abstract: An extended length of optical fiber having an offset core with an inscribed Bragg grating is used a distributed sensor in combination with an optical frequency domain reflectometer (OFDR) to enable measurement small-scale (e.g., sub-millimeter) contortions and forces as applied to the fiber. The offset core may be disposed in a spiral configuration around the central axis of the optical fiber to improve the spatial resolution of the measurement. A reference surface exhibit a predetermined texture (in the form of a series of corrugations, for example, that may be periodic or aperiodic, as long as known a priori) is disposed adjacent to a longitudinal portion of the sensor fiber. The application of a force to the combination of the plate and the fiber creates a local strain in the grating formed along the offset core of the fiber that results in a shift in the Bragg wavelength of the grating.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: December 16, 2021Applicant: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Raja A Ahmad, Kenneth S Feder, Wing Ko, Paul S Westbrook
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Publication number: 20200231843Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coating composition comprising a silsesquioxane component having one or more reactive functional groups that render it curable using ultraviolet radiation; where the one or more reactive functional groups are selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, a vinyl ether, or an epoxy; and optionally, a co-reactive non-silsesquioxane monomer and/or an oligomer having one or more reactive functional groups that are curable using ultraviolet radiation and are selected from the group consisting of free radically curable acrylates, cationically curable epoxies, and cationically curable vinyl ethers; where the coating composition is disposed and cured on an optical article; where the optical article is at least one of an optical fiber or an optical planar waveguide; and where the average functionality of the composition is greater than one.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: OFS Fitel, LLCInventors: Debra A Simoff, Kenneth S Feder, Yaowen Li, Jacob Wrubel, Kenichi Suyama, Mei Wen
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Patent number: 10655034Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coating composition comprising a silsesquioxane component having one or more reactive functional groups that render it curable using ultraviolet radiation; where the one or more reactive functional groups are selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, a vinyl ether, or an epoxy; and optionally, a co-reactive non-silsesquioxane monomer and/or an oligomer having one or more reactive functional groups that are curable using ultraviolet radiation and are selected from the group consisting of free radically curable acrylates, cationically curable epoxies, and cationically curable vinyl ethers; where the coating composition is disposed and cured on an optical article; where the optical article is at least one of an optical fiber or an optical planar waveguide; and where the average functionality of the composition is greater than one.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Debra A Simoff, Kenneth S Feder, Yaowen Li, Jacob Wrubel, Kenichi Suyama, Mei Wen
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Publication number: 20170204290Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coating composition comprising a silsesquioxane component having one or more reactive functional groups that render it curable using ultraviolet radiation; where the one or more reactive functional groups are selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, a vinyl ether, or an epoxy; and optionally, a co-reactive non-silsesquioxane monomer and/or an oligomer having one or more reactive functional groups that are curable using ultraviolet radiation and are selected from the group consisting of free radically curable acrylates, cationically curable epoxies, and cationically curable vinyl ethers; where the coating composition is disposed and cured on an optical article; where the optical article is at least one of an optical fiber or an optical planar waveguide; and where the average functionality of the composition is greater than one.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2015Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: OFS Fitel, LLCInventors: Debra A Simoff, Kenneth S Feder, Yaowen Li, Jacob Wrubel, Kenichi Suyama, Mei Wen
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Patent number: 9592644Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, inscribing a grating in an optical waveguide so as to reduce transverse inscription variations, are provided. The waveguide is exposed to multiple beams or interference patterns of actinic radiation from multiple azimuthal directions. The beams of actinic radiation are preferably split into a plurality of beams that have wave vectors with different longitudinal components, e.g., via gratings such as phase masks. The periods and phases of the interference patterns of the beams of actinic radiation are preferably matched. A control beam may be provided that does not hit the waveguide. A control loop optionally controls at least one of the position or orientation of at least one of the beams of actinic radiation. The gratings are, for example, Bragg gratings.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Kenneth S Feder, Tristan Kremp, Paul S Westbrook
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Patent number: 9568670Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for mitigating lensing and scattering as an optical fiber is being inscribed with a grating. The disclosed systems and methods mitigate the lensing phenomenon by surrounding an optical fiber with an index-matching material that is held in a vessel with an integrated interferometer (e.g., phase mask, etc.). The index-matching material has a refractive index that is sufficient to reduce intensity variations of the actinic radiation within the optical fiber. Some embodiments of the system include different vessels for holding the index-matching material, with the vessel having an interferometer integrated into the vessel. These vessels permit the optical fiber to be surrounded by the index-matching material while the gratings are written to the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Kenneth S Feder, Paul S Westbrook
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Patent number: 9547229Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for mitigating lensing and scattering as an optical fiber is being inscribed with a grating. The disclosed systems and methods mitigate the lensing phenomenon by surrounding an optical fiber with an index-matching material that is held in a vessel with a sealed phase mask. The sealed phase mask allows it to be in contact with a liquid index-matching material without having the liquid index-matching material seep into the grooves of the sealed phase mask. Thus, for some embodiments, the sealed phase mask may be immersed in a liquid index-matching material without adversely affecting the function of the phase mask.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Kenneth S Feder, Paul S Westbrook
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Patent number: 9429704Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for mitigating lensing and scattering as an optical fiber is being inscribed with a grating. The disclosed systems and methods mitigate the lensing phenomenon by surrounding an optical fiber with a liquid index-matching material that is held in a vessel. The disclosed systems also include a replenishment mechanism that replenishes the liquid index-matching material as the optical fiber is pulled through the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Kenneth S Feder, Paul S Westbrook
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Patent number: 9360618Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for mitigating lensing and scattering as an optical fiber is being inscribed with a grating. The disclosed systems and methods mitigate the lensing phenomenon by surrounding an optical fiber with an index-matching material that is held in a vessel with an integrated interferometer (e.g., phase mask, etc.). The index-matching material has a refractive index that is sufficient to reduce intensity variations of the actinic radiation within the optical fiber. Some embodiments of the system include different vessels for holding the index-matching material, with the vessel having an interferometer integrated into the vessel. These vessels permit the optical fiber to be surrounded by the index-matching material while the gratings are written to the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Kenneth S Feder, Paul S Westbrook
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Patent number: 9164234Abstract: A method of coupling optical fibers containing cores or other structures that twist about the axis of one or both fibers. The fiber end faces are aligned axially to confront one another, and side view images of end regions of the fibers including the contained cores or structures are produced. For each fiber, a brightness profile of a side view image is obtained at an axially offset position from the fiber end face. One or both fibers are rotated about their axes until the brightness profiles for each fiber indicate certain cores or structures in the fibers are aligned. For each fiber, an additional amount of twist from the offset position to the fiber end face is determined. One or both fibers are rotated again to compensate for the additional twist in each fiber, so that the fibers are aligned optimally when coupled.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Kenneth S Feder, Yue Liang
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Publication number: 20140270643Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, inscribing a grating in an optical waveguide so as to reduce transverse inscription variations, are provided. The waveguide is exposed to multiple beams or interference patterns of actinic radiation from multiple azimuthal directions. The beams of actinic radiation are preferably split into a plurality of beams that have wave vectors with different longitudinal components, e.g., via gratings such as phase masks. The periods and phases of the interference patterns of the beams of actinic radiation are preferably matched. A control beam may be provided that does not hit the waveguide. A control loop optionally controls at least one of the position or orientation of at least one of the beams of actinic radiation. The gratings are, for example, Bragg gratings.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: OFS Fitel, LLCInventors: Kenneth S. Feder, Tristan Kremp, Paul S. Westbrook
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Publication number: 20140233890Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for mitigating lensing and scattering as an optical fiber is being inscribed with a grating. The disclosed systems and methods mitigate the lensing phenomenon by surrounding an optical fiber with an index-matching material that is held in a vessel with an integrated interferometer (e.g., phase mask, etc.). The index-matching material has a refractive index that is sufficient to reduce intensity variations of the actinic radiation within the optical fiber. Some embodiments of the system include different vessels for holding the index-matching material, with the vessel having an interferometer integrated into the vessel. These vessels permit the optical fiber to be surrounded by the index-matching material while the gratings are written to the optical fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: OFS Fitel, LLCInventors: Kenneth S. Feder, Paul S. Westbrook
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Publication number: 20140233888Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for mitigating lensing and scattering as an optical fiber is being inscribed with a grating. The disclosed systems and methods mitigate the lensing phenomenon by surrounding an optical fiber with an index-matching material that is held in a vessel with an integrated interferometer (e.g., phase mask, etc.). The index-matching material has a refractive index that is sufficient to reduce intensity variations of the actinic radiation within the optical fiber. Some embodiments of the system include different vessels for holding the index-matching material, with the vessel having an interferometer integrated into the vessel. These vessels permit the optical fiber to be surrounded by the index-matching material while the gratings are written to the optical fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Kenneth S. Feder, Paul S. Westbrook
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Publication number: 20140233889Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for mitigating lensing and scattering as an optical fiber is being inscribed with a grating. The disclosed systems and methods mitigate the lensing phenomenon by surrounding an optical fiber with a liquid index-matching material that is held in a vessel. The disclosed systems also include a replenishment mechanism that replenishes the liquid index-matching material as the optical fiber is pulled through the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: OFS FITEL, LLCInventors: Kenneth S. Feder, Paul S. Westbrook
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Publication number: 20140232997Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for mitigating lensing and scattering as an optical fiber is being inscribed with a grating. The disclosed systems and methods mitigate the lensing phenomenon by surrounding an optical fiber with an index-matching material that is held in a vessel with a sealed phase mask. The sealed phase mask allows it to be in contact with a liquid index-matching material without having the liquid index-matching material seep into the grooves of the sealed phase mask. Thus, for some embodiments, the sealed phase mask may be immersed in a liquid index-matching material without adversely affecting the function of the phase mask.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: OFS Fitel, LLCInventors: Kenneth S. Feder, Paul S. Westbrook
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Publication number: 20140169747Abstract: A method of coupling optical fibers containing cores or other structures that twist about the axis of one or both fibers. The fiber end faces are aligned axially to confront one another, and side view images of end regions of the fibers including the contained cores or structures are produced. For each fiber, a brightness profile of a side view image is obtained at an axially offset position from the fiber end face. One or both fibers are rotated about their axes until the brightness profiles for each fiber indicate certain cores or structures in the fibers are aligned. For each fiber, an additional amount of twist from the offset position to the fiber end face is determined. One or both fibers are rotated again to compensate for the additional twist in each fiber, so that the fibers are aligned optimally when coupled.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: OFS Fitel, LLCInventors: Kenneth S Feder, Yue Liang
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Patent number: 7171089Abstract: Enhancement of the supercontinuum generation performance of a highly-nonlinear optical fiber (HNLF) is accomplished by performing at least one post-processing treatment on the HNLF. Particularly, UV exposure of the HNLF will modify its dispersion and effective area characteristics so as to increase its supercontinuum bandwidth, without resorting to techniques such as tapering or introducing unwanted reflections into the HNLF. The UV exposure can be uniform, slowly varying or aperiodic along the length of the HNLF, where the radiation will modify the nonlinear properties of the HNLF. Various other methods of altering these properties may be used. The output from the HNLF can be monitored and used to control the post-processing operation in order to achieve a set of desired features in the enhanced supercontinuum spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Fitel USA Corp.Inventors: Kenneth S. Feder, Jeffrey W. Nicholson, Paul S. Westbrook
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Patent number: 7116874Abstract: Enhancement of the supercontinuum generation performance of a highly-nonlinear optical fiber (HNLF) is accomplished by incorporating at least one Bragg grating structure in the HNLF. The Bragg grating results in reflecting a core-guided signal into signal which also remains core-guided. The supercontinuum radiation generated by such an arrangement will exhibit a substantial peak in its energy at the grating resonance of the Bragg grating and a region of increased radiation in a narrow wavelength band on the long wavelength side of the peak. A number of such Bragg gratings may be formed so as to “tailor” the enhancements provided in the supercontinuum radiation. Various, well-known Bragg grating modifications (tuning, chirped, blazed, etc.) may also be used in the inventive structure to enhance the generated supercontinuum.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignees: Fitel USA Corp., University of Rochester, Office of Technology TransferInventors: Thomas Brown, Kenneth S. Feder, Yufeng Li, Jeffrey W. Nicholson, Paul S. Westbrook