Abstract: A sub-assembly matable to a waveguide having a recess therein includes a structure comprising a discrete light source disposed on a carrier, and a substrate and a heat spreader disposed beneath the structure. The structure has a contour complementary to the recess, such that, when the sub-assembly is joined to the waveguide, the discrete light source is within the waveguide.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a waveguide having a recess in a bottom surface thereof. Disposed beneath and in direct contact with the bottom surface of the waveguide is a sub-assembly having a raised profile complementary to the recess, the sub-assembly including a discrete light source disposed on a carrier. The discrete light source is disposed within the recess.

Abstract: In one aspect, a planar illumination area includes two light-guide elements, each with an out-coupling region. At least a portion of each out-coupling region overlaps with at least a portion of the other. The overlapping region emits a substantially uniform light output power.

Abstract: In one aspect, an illumination structure includes a substantially non-fiber waveguide, which itself includes a discrete in-coupling region for receiving light, a discrete propagation region for propagating light, and a discrete out-coupling region for emitting light.

Abstract: In one aspect, a light-emitting surface includes a plurality of discrete, substantially flat light-emitting illumination devices arranged in a tiled configuration. Each device has a light-emitting area and an unilluminated area, the light-emitting area of a first device occluding at least a portion of the unilluminated area of a second, adjacent device.

Abstract: Optical alignment apparatus, consisting of an optical element (28) having a curved surface (29), and an optical bench (22), including a mounting surface (21) for mounting of an optical component (24, 44) thereon. The optical bench has an opening (26) formed in the mounting surface, the opening having a size and shape suitable to engage the curved surface of the optical clement so as to permit alignment of the optical element with the optical component by relative rotation of the optical element within the opening while the curved surface is engaged by the opening.

Abstract: Optical alignment apparatus, consisting of an optical element (28) having a curved surface (29), and an optical bench (22), including a mounting surface (21) for mounting of an optical component (24, 44) thereon. The optical bench has an opening (26) formed in the mounting surface, the opening having a size and shape suitable to engage the curved surface of the optical element so as to permit alignment of the optical element with the optical component by relative rotation of the optical element within the opening while the curved surface is engaged by the opening.

Abstract: An optical pulse generator, consisting of a semiconductor device and an optical output assembly. The semiconductor device includes an optically-active region having a gain section and a saturable absorber (SA) section, which are adapted to generate coherent optical pulses. The device also includes an output facet for coupling therethrough of the optical pulses generated in the optically-active region, and an SA electrode for application of a radio-frequency (RF) modulation of a desired frequency to the SA section. The optical output assembly is optically coupled to the output facet of the semiconductor device so as to partially reflect the coherent optical pulses within a predetermined wavelength range.

Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing an output wavelength of a laser assembly (80), including a plurality of optical elements (88, 92, 97, 96) coupled together so as to form a laser cavity resonating in a single mode dependent upon an optical length of the cavity, and an optical length changer (86) which varies an optical length of at least one of the optical elements so as to vary accordingly the optical length of the cavity. The apparatus further includes a detector (91) which monitors the output of the laser assembly responsive to the variation in the optical length of the at least one of the optical elements. There is also included a stabilizer (93) which responsive to the measured output from the detector supplies a control signal to the optical length changer to control an optical length of at least one of the optical elements, so that the cavity resonates stably at the output wavelength in the single mode.

Abstract: A laser, including a grating structure having two or more gratings having a plurality of different wavelength peaks for reflection of optical radiation therefrom. The laser further includes a semiconductor device, having an active region which is operative to amplify the optical radiation, and a reflective region, which is adapted to reflect the optical radiation at a tunable resonant wavelength of the reflective region, the device being optically coupled to the grating structure so as to define a laser cavity having a single cavity mode defined by tuning the resonant wavelength of the reflective region to overlap with one of the wavelength peaks of the grating structure.

Abstract: An optical pulse generator, consisting of a semiconductor device and an optical output assembly. The semiconductor device includes an optically-active region having a gain section and a saturable absorber (SA) section, which are adapted to generate coherent optical pulses. The device also includes an output facet for coupling therethrough of the optical pulses generated in the optically-active region, and an SA electrode for application of a radio-frequency (RF) modulation of a desired frequency to the SA section.

Abstract: The disclosed mounting system is capable of fixing a base for mounting an optical component or other object anywhere on the surface of an optical table or other support having a two-dimensional pattern of mutually spaced fastener mounting holes. Such base includes two complementary base parts rotatable relative to each other. One of these base parts is provided with a radial or at least partially eccentric aperture for receiving a bolt or other fastener insertable into any one of the mounting holes. Such fastener is inserted through the base part aperture into one of the mounting holes, and the base may be shifted relative to that fastener to any one of a multitude of positions about that one mounting hole. If the above mentioned aperture is provided as herein preferred, the base may be positioned or fixed anywhere on the surface, even though the above mentioned mounting holes are mutually spaced from each other.