Abstract: We disclose a signal-routing method directed at improving the throughput of an optical network by taking into account the fiber nonlinearity in the process of solving a joint signal-routing and power-control problem for the optical network. Based on the obtained solution, a network controller may set the signal-routing configurations of the various network nodes and the optical gains of the various optical amplifiers to enable the optical network to carry the traffic in a manner that results in a higher throughput than that achievable with the use of conventional signal-routing and/or power-control methods.

Abstract: We disclose a signal-routing method directed at improving the throughput of an optical network by taking into account the fiber nonlinearity in the process of solving a joint signal-routing and power-control problem for the optical network. Based on the obtained solution, a network controller may set the signal-routing configurations of the various network nodes and the optical gains of the various optical amplifiers to enable the optical network to carry the traffic in a manner that results in a higher throughput than that achievable with the use of conventional signal-routing and/or power-control methods.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting optical signals through a heterogeneous sequence of spans of an all-optical transmission line. Each span has an optical transmission fiber connected to an optical amplifier. Each amplifier launches the signals into a sequential remainder of the line. The transmitting includes launching the optical signals into the highest loss fibers with substantially equal average optical launch powers or operating the spans with the highest loss fibers to have substantially equal quality products. The average optical launch powers are substantially equal to the inverse of a sum of (1?Tj)?j/[?NL·?j] over the highest loss fibers. The parameters Tj, ?j, and ?j are the respective are, respectively, transmissivity, nonlinear optical coefficient, and loss coefficient of the fiber of the j-th span. The parameter ?NL is the line's cumulative nonlinear phase shift.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting optical signals through a heterogeneous sequence of spans of an all-optical transmission line. Each span has an optical transmission fiber connected to an optical amplifier. Each amplifier launches the signals into a sequential remainder of the line. The transmitting includes launching the optical signals into the highest loss fibers with substantially equal average optical launch powers or operating the spans with the highest loss fibers to have substantially equal quality products. The average optical launch powers are substantially equal to the inverse of a sum of (1?Tj)?j/[?NL·?j] over the highest loss fibers. The parameters Tj, ?j, and ?j are the respective are, respectively, transmissivity, nonlinear optical coefficient, and loss coefficient of the fiber of the j-th span. The parameter ?NL is the line's cumulative nonlinear phase shift.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting optical signals through a heterogeneous sequence of spans of an all-optical transmission line. Each span has an optical transmission fiber connected to an optical amplifier. Each amplifier launches the signals into a sequential remainder of the line. The transmitting includes launching the optical signals into the highest loss fibers with substantially equal average optical launch powers or operating the spans with the highest loss fibers to have substantially equal quality products. The average optical launch powers are substantially equal to the inverse of a sum of (1?Tj)?j/[?NL·?j] over the highest loss fibers. The parameters Tj, ?j, and ?j are the respectiveare, respectively, transmissivity, nonlinear optical coefficient, and loss coefficient of the fiber of the j-th span. The parameter ?NL is the line's cumulative nonlinear phase shift.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting optical signals through a heterogeneous sequence of spans of an all-optical transmission line. Each span has an optical transmission fiber connected to an optical amplifier. Each amplifier launches the signals into a sequential remainder of the line. The transmitting includes launching the optical signals into the highest loss fibers with substantially equal average optical launch powers or operating the spans with the highest loss fibers to have substantially equal quality products. The average optical launch powers are substantially equal to the inverse of a sum of (1?Tj)?j/[?NL·?j] over the highest loss fibers. The parameters Tj, ?j, and ?j are the respectiveare, respectively, transmissivity, nonlinear optical coefficient, and loss coefficient of the fiber of the j-th span. The parameter ?NL is the line's cumulative nonlinear phase shift.

Abstract: An annular waveguide VCSEL for achieving a stable high power single high order mode output including a first mirror stack with mirror pairs in a Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As/Al.sub.y Ga.sub.1-y As material system lattice matched to an active region. The active region includes an active structure sandwiched between a first cladding region adjacent the first mirror stack and a second cladding region, the active structure having at least one quantum well. The VCSEL further includes a second mirror stack lattice matched to the second cladding region and having mirror pairs in a Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As/Al.sub.y Ga.sub.1-y As material system. The second mirror stack including an etched region, thereby defining an annular emission region through which light generated by the annular waveguide VCSEL is emitted.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) with an integrated phase shift mask for use in an optical pickup head for high density optical storage applications and a method of fabrication. The VCSEL is capable of emitting a power output of at least 10 mW. The phase shift mask is integrated with the VCSEL to allow for a 180.degree. shift in light emitted therethrough, thereby creating a reduced focal spot size for high density data write applications. The VCSEL with integrated phase shift mask is utilized in an optical pickup head capable of high density read and write applications for both CDs and DVDs.

Abstract: A VCSEL for emitting long wavelength light including a GaAs substrate element, a first mirror stack with mirror pairs in a GaAs/AlGaAs material system lattice matched to a GaInAsN active region with an active structure sandwiched between a first cladding region adjacent the first mirror stack, and a second cladding region. The first and second cladding regions including an InGaP/GaAs material system. The active structure includes a nitride based quantum well and either a GaAsP or a GaAs barrier layer. A second mirror stack is lattice matched to the second cladding region and has mirror pairs in a GaAs/AlGaAs material system.

Abstract: A first stack (112) of distributed Bragg reflectors, a first cladding region (114) disposed on the first stack of distributed Bragg reflectors (112) and including a defect inhibition layer (117) an active area (122) disposed on the first cladding region (114), a second cladding region (132) disposed on the active area (122) and including a defective inhibition layer (136), and a second stack (140) of distributed Bragg reflectors disposed on the second cladding region (132). The defect inhibition layers (117, 136) substantially prevent defects in the active area (122).

Abstract: A near IR VCSEL including a mirror stack positioned on a substrate, formed of a plurality of pairs of relatively high and low index of refraction layers a second mirror stack formed of a plurality of pairs of relatively high and low index of refraction layers, an active region sandwiched between the first stack and the second stack, the active region being formed of active layers of GaInAsP having barrier layers of GaAlAs sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: An integrated vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) pair for use in an optical pickup head for high density optical storage applications and a method of fabrication. The VCSEL pair includes a high power VCSEL capable of emitting a power output of at least 15 mW and a low power VCSEL capable of emitting a power output in a range of 1-4 mW. A phase shift mask is integrated with the high power VCSEL to allow for a 180.degree. shift in light emitted therethrough, thereby creating a reduced focal spot size for high density data write applications. The low power VCSEL emission is focused into a Gaussian beam profile for data read applications. The integrated VCSEL pair is utilized in an optical pickup head capable of high density read and write applications for both CDs and DVDs.

Abstract: A method of biasing a semiconductor laser to a threshold level including the step of providing a semiconductor laser, monitoring spontaneous emissions of the semiconductor laser, identifying a point at which the spontaneous emissions clamp, and employing feedback to maintain a threshold level, driven by the identification of the point at which the spontaneous emissions clamp.

Abstract: A passivated vertical cavity surface emitting laser including a first stack of distributed Bragg reflectors disposed on the surface of a semiconductor substrate, a first cladding region disposed on the first stack, an active region disposed on the first cladding region, a second cladding region disposed on the active region, and a second stack of distributed Bragg reflectors disposed on the second cladding region. A passivation layer having an optical thickness of an integral multiple of approximately one half of the wavelength of emitted light is disposed on the vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

Abstract: A method of controlling the spatial mode of the output of a semiconductor laser including the steps of monitoring above threshold spontaneous emissions of a semiconductor laser. Identifying a point at which the rate-of-change, or the slope, of spontaneous emissions versus drive current abruptly changes. Employing feedback to maintain spatial mode control.