Abstract: Ultrashort pulse laser processing bores, welds or cuts objects (work pieces) by converging ultrashort laser pulses by a lens on the objects (work pieces) positioned at the focus and heating small spots or narrow lines on the objects (work pieces). Shortage of a focal depth of the lens prevents the ultrashort pulse laser processing from positioning the object (a work piece) and forming a deep, constant-diameter cylindrical hole. Z-parameter is defined to be Z=2fc?t/?i2, where ?t is a FWHM pulse width of the ultrashort pulse laser, ?i is a FWHM beam diameter of the ultrashort pulse, f is a focal length of the lens and c is the light velocity in vacuum. Selection of an optical system including a diffraction-type lens which gives the Z-parameter less than 1 (Z<1) prolongs the focal depth. Expansion of the focal depth facilitates the positioning of objects (work pieces) and enables the ultrashort pulse laser apparatus to bore a deep, constant-diameter cylindrical hole.

Abstract: A bi-direction optical module with an arrangement to reduce the crosstalk noise is disclosed. The optical module comprises a laser diode (LD) driven by a differential signal and a photodiode (PD) on a single package. The PD is mounted on a position where the electrical potential measured from respective interconnections connected to the anode and to the cathode of the LD becomes the midpoint of the interconnections. The capacitances with respect the stem, where the LD and the PD are mounted thereon, viewed from the anode and the cathode of the LD becomes substantially equal to each other, or distances from the PD to respective interconnections are adjusted depending on the length of the interconnection facing the PD. Twisting the interconnections to the LD may be effective to reduce the crosstalk.

Abstract: A bi-directional optical module with an improved arrangement of the PD and the LD is disclosed. The LD is mounted on the stem through the LD carrier and the metal block, while the PD is mounted on the stem through the PD carrier. The bottom level of the PD is lower than the top level of the metal block and the top level of the PD is lower than the top level of the LD carrier.

Abstract: In a diffraction grating element 10, between a first medium 11 and a fourth medium 14, a second medium 12 and a third medium 13 are disposed alternately to form a diffraction grating. The light, which enters the diffraction grating from the first medium 11, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to a fourth medium 14. Or, the light, which enters the diffraction grating from the fourth medium 14, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to the first medium 11. The index of refraction n1-n4 of each medium satisfies a relational expression of “n3<n1<n2, n3?n4?n2” or “n3?n1?n2, n3<n4<n2”.

Abstract: In a diffraction grating element 10, between a first medium 11 and a fourth medium 14, a second medium 12 and a third medium 13 are disposed alternately to form a diffraction grating. The light, which enters the diffraction grating from the first medium 11, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to a fourth medium 14. Or, the light, which enters the diffraction grating from the fourth medium 14, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to the first medium 11. The index of refraction n1-n4 of each medium satisfies a relational expression of “n3<n1<n2, n3?n4?n2” or “n3?n1?n2, n3<n4<n2”.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a first optical path having a first optical axis, a second optical path having a second optical axis not parallel to the first optical axis, and a mirror arranged to move across a bisector of an angle between the first and second optical axes. The mirror has a surface including a reflecting portion for reflecting light from the first path toward the second path. The reflecting portion has an edge including a linear portion placed on a plane substantially perpendicular to the bisector. The linear portion is inclined relative to a normal to a plane including the first and second optical axes.

Abstract: In a diffraction grating element 10, between a first medium 11 and a fourth medium 14, a second medium 12 and a third medium 13 are disposed alternately to form a diffraction grating. The light, which enters the diffraction grating from the first medium 11, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to a fourth medium 14. Or, the light, which enters the diffraction grating from the fourth medium 14, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to the first medium 11. The index of refraction n1–n4 of each medium satisfies a relational expression of “n3<n1<n2, n3?n4?n2” or “n3?n1?n2, n3<n4<n2”.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffraction grating element that allows the temperature control mechanism to be dispensed with or simplified. The diffraction grating element of the present invention comprises a transparent plate having a first surface and a second surface that are substantially parallel with one another; and a diffraction grating which is formed on a first surface side with respect to the second surface and is substantially parallel with the first surface. At any temperature within a temperature range ?20° C. to +80° C., the sum of the rate of change in the period per unit length of the diffraction grating with respect to a temperature change, and the temperature coefficient of the refractive index of a medium that surrounds the diffraction grating element is 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffraction grating element that allows the temperature control mechanism to be dispensed with or simplified. The diffraction grating element of the present invention comprises a transparent plate having a first surface and a second surface that are substantially parallel with one another; and a diffraction grating which is formed on a first surface side with respect to the second surface and is substantially parallel with the first surface. At any temperature within a temperature range ?20° C. to +80° C., the sum of the rate of change in the period per unit length of the diffraction grating with respect to a temperature change, and the temperature coefficient of the refractive index of a medium that surrounds the diffraction grating element is 0.

Abstract: In a diffraction grating element 10, between a first medium 11 and a fourth medium 14, a second medium 12 and a third medium 13 are disposed alternately to form a diffraction grating. The light, which enters the diffraction grating from the first medium 11, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to a fourth medium 14. Or, the light, which enters the diffraction grating from the fourth medium 14, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to the first medium 11. The index of refraction n1-n4 of each medium satisfies a relational expression of “n3<n1<n2, n3?n4?n2” or “n3?n1?n2, n3<n4<n2”.

Abstract: An optical device has first and second non-parallel optical paths, and a light reflecting surface. The reflecting surface may have a first and second planar portion. The first planar portion receives light from the first path to reflect the light toward the second path. The second planar portion may form an angle ?1 with the first planar portion. Angle ?1 satisfies a condition of 175°??<180° in either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation from the first planar portion.

Abstract: Ultrashort pulse laser processing bores, welds or cuts objects (work pieces) by converging ultrashort laser pulses by a lens on the objects (work pieces) positioned at the focus and heating small spots or narrow lines on the objects (work pieces). Shortage of a focal depth of the lens prevents the ultrashort pulse laser processing from positioning the object (a work piece) and forming a deep, constant-diameter cylindrical hole. Z-parameter is defined to be Z=2fc?t/?i2, where ?t is a FWHM pulse width of the ultrashort pulse laser, ?i is a FWHM beam diameter of the ultrashort pulse, f is a focal length of the lens and c is the light velocity in vacuum. Selection of an optical system including a diffraction-type lens which gives the Z-parameter less than 1 (Z<1) prolongs the focal depth. Expansion of the focal depth facilitates the positioning of objects (work pieces) and enables the ultrashort pulse laser apparatus to bore a deep, constant-diameter cylindrical hole.

Abstract: In a diffraction grating element 10, between a first medium 11 and a fourth medium 14, a second medium 12 and a third medium 13 are disposed alternately to form a diffraction grating. The light, which enters the diffraction grating from the first medium 11, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to a fourth medium 14. Or, the light, which enters the diffraction grating from the fourth medium 14, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to the first medium 11. The index of refraction n1–n4 of each medium satisfies a relational expression of “n3<n1<n2, n3?n4?n2” or “n3?n1?n2, n3<n4<n2”.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical component and the like having a structure that can increase the absolute value of the angular dispersion, and also can reduce the temperature dependence of the diffraction angle. The optical component comprises a diffraction grating element of a transmissive type and a prism. The prism is composed of a material with a refractive index of n1, and the diffraction grating element and the prism are surrounded a material with a refractive index of n0.

Abstract: A first optical system (11) has a first beam splitter (211). The first beam splitter (211) splits light arriving through a first optical path (P1) into two light beams, and outputs one light beam to a second optical path (P2) and the other light beam to a third optical path (P3). A second optical system (21) outputs the light output from the first beam splitter (221) to the second optical path (P2) and arriving at the second optical system (21) upon giving the light an intensity change with wavelength dependence and a phase change, and has a second beam splitter (221), first reflecting mirror (223), and second reflecting mirror (222). This makes it possible to provide an optical filter (200) which can realize a characteristic excellent in isolation with a very simple arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffraction grating element that allows the temperature control mechanism to be dispensed with or simplified. The diffraction grating element of the present invention comprises a transparent plate having a first surface and a second surface that are substantially parallel with one another; and a diffraction grating which is formed on a first surface side with respect to the second surface and is substantially parallel with the first surface. At any temperature within a temperature range ?20° C. to +80° C., the sum of the rate of change in the period per unit length of the diffraction grating with respect to a temperature change, and the temperature coefficient of the refractive index of a medium that surrounds the diffraction grating element is 0.

Abstract: [Problem] To reduce optical feedback to an optical path. [Solution] Variable optical attenuator 100 includes optical path 26 having optical axis 16, optical path 27 having optical axis 17, and mirror 21 arranged to move in directions 32, 33 across bisector 18 of an angle between optical axes 16 and 17. Mirror 21 has a surface including reflecting portion 21a for reflecting light from optical path 11 toward optical path 12. Reflecting portion 21a has an edge 21b including a linear portion placed on a plane substantially perpendicular to bisector 18. The linear portion is inclined relative to the normal to a plane including optical axes 16, 17.

Abstract: In a diffraction grating element 10, between a first medium 11 and a fourth medium 14, a second medium 12 and a third medium 13 are disposed alternately to form a diffraction grating. The light, which enters the diffraction grating from the first medium 11, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to a fourth medium 14. Or, the light, which enters the diffraction grating from the fourth medium 14, is diffracted at the diffraction grating portion and output to the first medium 11. The index of refraction n1-n4 of each medium satisfies a relational expression of “n3<n1<n2, n3?n4?n2” or “n3?n1?n2, n3<n4<n2”.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffraction grating element that allows the temperature control mechanism to be dispensed with or simplified. The diffraction grating element of the present invention comprises a transparent plate having a first surface and a second surface that are substantially parallel with one another; and a diffraction grating which is formed on a first surface side with respect to the second surface and is substantially parallel with the first surface. At any temperature within a temperature range ?20° C. to +80° C., the sum of the rate of change in the period per unit length of the diffraction grating with respect to a temperature change, and the temperature coefficient of the refractive index of a medium that surrounds the diffraction grating element is 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical waveguide type grating element and others in structure for decreasing absolute values of chromatic dispersion occurring in selective reflection of each of signal channels in a reflection band. The optical waveguide type grating element is provided with an optical waveguide in which signal light containing a plurality of signal channels spaced at a channel spacing ?i propagates, and a grating which is an index modulation formed over a predetermined range of the optical waveguide. Particularly, the optical waveguide type grating element has a transmittance of ?20 dB or less for each of the signal channels in the reflection band, and has a reflectance of ?20 dB or less for each of signal channels outside the reflection band. Furthermore, a deviation of a group delay time of each of the signal channels in the reflection band, which is caused by reflection in the grating, is 10 ps or less in a wavelength range of (?CH??i×0.375/2) or more but (?CH+?i×0.