Abstract: A system for writing an optical code within or on a fiber substrate. The system includes a holding device that has a plurality of supports spaced apart from each other. The fiber substrate is wound about the supports such that the fiber substrate forms at least one flat section extending between adjacent supports. The system also includes at least one light source that is configured to write an optical code within or on the flat section of the fiber substrate.

Abstract: A system for writing an optical code within or on a fiber substrate is provided. The system includes a holding device that has a plurality of supports spaced apart from each other. The fiber substrate is wound about the supports such that the fiber substrate forms at least one flat section extending between adjacent supports. The system also includes at least one light source that is configured to write an optical code within or on the flat section of the fiber substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing optical identification elements that includes forming a diffraction grating in a fiber substrate along a longitudinal axis of the substrate. The grating includes a resultant refractive index variation. The method also includes cutting the substrate transversely to form a plurality of optical identification elements that have the grating therein along substantially the entire length of the elements. Each of the elements has substantially the same resultant refractive index variation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diffusion grating-based optical identification element is provided. The optical identification element includes a known fiber substrate, having a diffraction grating disposed therein the grating being indicative of a code when exposed to incident light. A large number of elements or microbeads all having the same identification codes can be manufactured by cutting the substrate transversely where the grating is located, thereby creating a plurality of elements, at least two of the elements having the grating therein along substantially the entire length of the elements. The elements may be manufactured in many different ways, including winding the fiber onto a basket, forming the gratings in the basket openings or bays, removing the fiber and cutting the fiber to form the elements 8. Each bay may have a set of elements with a unique set of codes therein.

Abstract: An optical filter for filtering a spectral profile of an optical signal for providing an output signal having a desire gain profile, such as a flatten gain profile. The filter comprises an optical waveguide that includes a core disposed within a cladding having an outer dimension greater than 0.3 mm. A Bragg grating is imparted or written in the core of the waveguide that attenuates the received optical input signal in accordance with a defined reflection or transmission filter profile. The Bragg grating may be a slanted grating. The filter profile is complementary to the spectral gain profile of the input signal to provide an output signal having a substantially flat spectral profile of a desired wavelength band. The cladding of the waveguide may have a mechanically advantageous outer geometry (e.g., a “dogbone” shape) for allowing an axial compressive force to tune the Bragg grating.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diffusion grating-based optical identification element is provided. The optical identification element includes a known optical substrate, having an optical diffraction grating disposed in the volume of the substrate. A large number of substrates or microbeads having unique identification codes can be manufactured winding a substrate, such as a fiber, around a polygonal shaped cage/basket to form a fiber ribbon having flat sections. A grating writing station writes one or more gratings into each flat section to form a unique code to this section. Each flat section of fibers of the fiber ribbon is written with the same gratings to provide the same identification code, or alternatively each flat section may be have a different grating(s) written therein so that each section has a different identification code. The fiber ribbon is then removed from the cage and diced to form a groups of optical identification elements, each group having unique optical identification codes.

Abstract: An optical filter for filtering a spectral profile of an optical signal for providing an output signal having a desire gain profile, such as a flatten gain profile. The filter comprises an optical waveguide that includes a core disposed within a cladding having an outer dimension greater than 0.3 mm. A Bragg grating is imparted or written in the core of the waveguide that attenuates the received optical input signal in accordance with a defined reflection or transmission filter profile. The Bragg grating may be a slanted grating. The filter profile is complementary to the spectral gain profile of the input signal to provide an output signal having a substantially flat spectral profile of a desired wavelength band. The cladding of the waveguide may have a mechanically advantageous outer geometry (e.g., a “dogbone” shape) for allowing an axial compressive force to tune the Bragg grating.

Abstract: An optical coupling device is provided for coupling a pump light into an optical waveguide such as an optical fiber or planar waveguide. An optical source provides a pump light. A large diameter optical waveguide is arranged in relation to the optical source, has a diameter substantially greater than 0.3 microns, and includes a reflective surface that reflects the pump light and provides a reflected pump light to the optical fiber. The reflective surface may be either a notched surface of a V-shaped indentation or a cleaved end of the large diameter optical waveguide. Alternatively, the optical coupling device is includes a side tap lens mounted to the large diameter optical waveguide for directing pump light provided by the optical source. The side tap lens is arranged in relation to the optical source and includes a reflective surface that reflects the pump light and provides a reflected pump light to the large diameter waveguide, which directs the pump light to the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber having a parabolic-index profile is etched to a taper below the cladding layer. A prism contacts the taper along its length within the etched portion of the fiber, and coherent light is transmitted through the prism into the fiber. Selective control of the light beam entry angle, entry position along the taper, and control of the etching depth allows excitation of specific modes within the fiber and maximization of coupling efficiency.

Abstract: A method for constructing and an apparatus for accessing individual or multiple guided optical fiber modes. Coupling can be accomplished at any point along an optical fiber through the fiber cladding. The coupler is based upon a technique for converting a guided optical mode into a leaky mode by varying the index of refraction of the optical fiber cladding. Transforming between the leaky mode radiation and a desired spatial power distribution is accomplished by a holographic coupler. Other propagating modes are unaffected by the coupling region. This coupling method and apparatus has application when it is required to make multiple taps along a common optical fiber as well as when it is necessary to access individual fiber modes.