Abstract: A fiber connector that facilitates alignment of and electrical communication with electrooptical devices on an optical fiber or interposed between optical fibers. An embodiment of in-line optoelectronic device packaging constructed according to principles of the invention includes a ferrule configured to receive an optical fiber with an optoelectronic device mounted on one end of the ferrule, for alignment with the fiber. Electrically-conductive deposits along the side of the ferrule supply electrical energy to or conduct electrical signals from the optoelectronic device. The optoelectronic device-carrying ferrule is inserted in a ceramic sleeve. Another ferrule, maintaining another optical fiber, also is inserted in the ceramic sleeve. Another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes a second optoelectronic device mounted on the second ferrule.

Abstract: A laser source for generating amplified and filtered optical output, comprising a VCSEL, a power optical amplifier, and a filter. A laser source for generating amplified and filtered optical output, comprising a first mirror and a second mirror forming a cavity, an optical amplifier disposed in the cavity, and filter means for filtering ASE generated and amplified by the optical amplifier. A system for generating amplified and filtered optical output, comprising an optical platform having electrical connections and a fiber optic connection, a VCSEL configured to generate seed light, an optical amplifier configured to receive and amplify seed light to generate power boosted ASE and a filter configured to reduce background noise from the power boosted ASE. A method of generating optical output having high optical power with high spectral fidelity, comprising generating seed light, amplifying seed light, and filtering the amplified optical output to reduce background noise.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for precision alignment and assembly of opto-electronic components relative to one another, the apparatus comprising a selected optical component having a periphery forming at least one flat surface; a holding block having at least one attachment region corresponding to the at least one flat surface of the selected optical component; a positioning mechanism having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured to position the selected optical component relative to another opto-electronic component, and the second portion configured to position the holding block relative to the selected optical component and in contact with a platform in attachment with the another opto-electronic component; and an attachment component disposed between the selected optical component and the holding block, and the attachment component disposed between the holding block and the platform so as to fix the selected optical component in position relative to the another opto-electronic compo

Abstract: An optical bandwidth source for generating amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) across a particular wavelength range, the optical bandwidth source comprising a waveguide having a first end and a second end, and the waveguide having a plurality of separate wavelength gain subsections arranged in a serial configuration to form an active waveguide between the first end and the second end; wherein each of the wavelength gain subsections is arranged relative to one another so as to produce ASE across the particular wavelength range.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for assembling optical components relative to one another, the system comprising: a plurality of carrier components, each one of the carrier components having a base portion, a top surface and a bottom surface of the base portion in opposition to one another, the base portion defining a given geometric shape, and at least one of the optical components disposed on the top surface of the base portion; an optical platform having an upper surface and a lower surface in opposition to one another, the upper surface of the optical platform having alignment patterns extending upwardly therefrom, and the alignment patterns defining a plurality of regions therebetween on the optical platform, wherein one of the regions is configured to secure the given geometric shape of the base portion of one of the carrier components thereto; and alignment means for aligning an optical transmission between the optical components mounted on separate ones of the carrier components.

Abstract: An optical isolator is disclosed for transmitting light in a first direction and blocking light in a second direction along an optical pathway. The optical isolator includes an input polarizer having a pass axis at first angle, an output polarizer having a pass axis at second angle, a Faraday rotator material between the polarizers having a Verdet constant and an axis of maximum length therethrough, generation means for generating a magnetic field around and inside the rotator material, and at least one reflector configured to define an optical length through the rotator material which is longer than the axis therethrough. The optical pathway length through the rotator material, the magnetic field strength, and the Verdet constant are selected so as to rotate light through the Faraday rotator material from the first angle to the second angle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for integrating a VCSEL with a SOA, comprising positioning a collimating lens adjacent to the output of the VCSEL, positioning a focusing lens adjacent to the input of the SOA, and positioning a movable lens between the collimating lens and the focusing lens, where the movable lens has a focal length significantly longer than the focal length of the focusing lens; and moving the movable lens relative to the focusing lens so as to adjust the focusing spot on the input of the SOA.

Abstract: Novel light switches and attenuators are disclosed. In one form of the invention, a novel 2×2 crossbar switch is formed by positioning a movable reflector intermediate four fiberoptic lines. In another form of the invention, a 1×N switch is formed by providing a plurality of cantilevers each having a reflective surface thereon. In still another form of the invention, a novel light attenuator is formed by positioning a movable arm intermediate two fiberoptic elements.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating microelectromechanically tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and microelectromechanically tunable Fabry-Perot filters with precise lateral and vertical dimensional control. Strained reflective dielectric film(s) are applied to a multiple quantum well structure to electronically band-gap-engineer the quantum wells. Appropriate strain in the reflective dielectric film layers is also used to create appropriate curvature in one of the reflective dielectric film stacks so as to form a confocal cavity between a planar reflective dielectric film layer and the curved reflective dielectric film layer in the vertical cavity surface emitting laser or filter.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in tuning a tunable optical device to a target wavelength, the apparatus comprising: a beam splitter for tapping a portion of the light emerging from the tunable optical device; a walk-off reflector for dividing the portion of the light emerging from the beam splitter into a plurality of beams; a multiple etalon for tailoring the light from at least two of the plurality of beams provided by the walk-off reflector; a multiple detector for detecting light from the multiple etalon and the walk-off reflector, the multiple detector providing a plurality of output signals; and a control unit for controlling the tunable optical device by providing a control signal to the tunable optical device according to the output signals provided by the multiple detector.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for laser soldering optical components is described. In that method, a first selected material is disposed on the components to facilitate the deposition of solder. Subsequently, solder is disposed on that material and the component is aligned. A laser beam is properly focused on the solder such that the solder melts and, when the laser beam is turned off, hardens, thereby fixing the component in the desired position.

Abstract: Novel light switches and attenuators are disclosed. In one form of the invention, a novel 2×2 crossbar switch is formed by positioning a movable reflector intermediate four fiberoptic lines. In another form of the invention, a 1×N switch is formed by providing a plurality of cantilevers each having a reflective surface thereon. In still another form of the invention, a novel light attenuator is formed by positioning a movable arm intermediate two fiberoptic elements.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in tuning a tunable optical device to a target wavelength, the apparatus comprising: a beam splitter for tapping a portion of the light emerging from the tunable optical device; a walk-off reflector for dividing the portion of the light emerging from the beam splitter into a plurality of beams; a multiple etalon for tailoring the light from at least two of the plurality of beams provided by the walk-off reflector; a multiple detector for detecting light from the multiple etalon and the walk-off reflector, the multiple detector providing a plurality of output signals; and a control unit for controlling the tunable optical device by providing a control signal to the tunable optical device according to the output signals provided by the multiple detector.

Abstract: A method for reducing reflection of undesirable light in an opto-electronic package includes the coating of the interior surfaces of the package with light absorbing materials. Accordingly, when stray or scattered light is incident on package surfaces, reflections are minimized and therefore the optical noise, interference and feedback are reduced.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating microelectromechanically tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and microelectromechanically tunable Fabry-Perot filters with precise lateral and vertical dimensional control. Strained reflective dielectric film(s) are applied to a multiple quantum well structure to electronically band-gap-engineer the quantum wells. Appropriate strain in the reflective dielectric film layers is also used to create appropriate curvature in one of the reflective dielectric film stacks so as to form a confocal cavity between a planar reflective dielectric film layer and the curved reflective dielectric film layer in the vertical cavity surface emitting laser or filter.

Abstract: A fiber connector that facilitates alignment of and electrical communication with electrooptical devices on an optical fiber or interposed between optical fibers. An embodiment of in-line optoelectronic device packaging constructed according to principles of the invention includes a ferrule configured to receive an optical fiber with an optoelectronic device mounted on one end of the ferrule, for alignment with the fiber. Electrically-conductive deposits along the side of the ferrule supply electrical energy to or conduct electrical signals from the optoelectronic device. The optoelectronic device-carrying ferrule is inserted in a ceramic sleeve. Another ferrule, maintaining another optical fiber, also is inserted in the ceramic sleeve. Another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes a second optoelectronic device mounted on the second ferrule.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for integrating a VCSEL with a SOA, comprising positioning a collimating lens adjacent to the output of the VCSEL, positioning a focusing lens adjacent to the input of the SOA, and positioning a movable lens between the collimating lens and the focusing lens, where the movable lens has a focal length significantly longer than the focal length of the focusing lens; and moving the movable lens relative to the focusing lens so as to adjust the focusing spot on the input of the SOA.

Abstract: Novel light switches and attenuators are disclosed. In one form of the invention, a novel 2×2 crossbar switch is formed by positioning a movable reflector intermediate four fiberoptic lines. In another form of the invention, a 1×N switch is formed by providing a plurality of cantilevers each having a reflective surface thereon. In still another form of the invention, a novel light attenuator is formed by positioning a movable arm intermediate two fiberoptic elements.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating microelectromechanically tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and microelectromechanically tunable Fabry-Perot filters with precise lateral and vertical dimensional control. Strained reflective dielectric film(s) are applied to a multiple quantum well structure to electronically band-gap-engineer the quantum wells. Appropriate strain in the reflective dielectric film layers is also used to create appropriate curvature in one of the reflective dielectric film stacks so as to form a confocal cavity between a planar reflective dielectric film layer and the curved reflective dielectric film layer in the vertical cavity surface emitting laser or filter. Laser and filter structures are also provided which include a suspended membrane structure made of a dielectric/metal membrane or metal film that supports a cavity-tuning reflective dielectric film stack while being anchored at the perimeter by metal support post(s).

Abstract: Novel light switches and attenuators are disclosed. In one form of the invention, a novel 2×2 crossbar switch is formed by positioning a movable reflector intermediate four fiberoptic lines. In another form of the invention, a 1×N switch is formed by providing a plurality of cantilevers each having a reflective surface thereon. In still another form of the invention, a novel light attenuator is formed by positioning a movable arm intermediate two fiberoptic elements.