Abstract: A light deflector includes a plurality of individual acousto-optical light waveguide deflectors being integrated on a common substrate and disposed relative to one or more directions from which or to which a light beam to be deflected will be supplied so that the resolved points is equal to the sum of the resolved points of each of the individual deflectors. Preferably, the individual light deflectors are disposed and aligned on the substrate so that the deflection ranges of the resolved points lie next to one another in a prescribed surface and with the ranges contacting one another without gaps.

Abstract: A dynamically one-mode semiconductor laser having a laser diode with a coupled external resonator includes a resonator mirror disposed opposite a light emitting face of the laser diode and a collimation optics between the diode and the resonator mirror. The collimation optics includes a refractive hemispherical micro-lens having flat side applied to the resonator mirror which is manufactured by fusing a small drop of glass onto the resonator mirror.

Abstract: A transmission and reception module for a bidirectional optical communication network characterized by a housing containing a laser diode, a first spherical lens for focussing the output of the laser diode on a first beam path, a second spherical lens arranged on the first beam path for focussing the light from the first lens at a focal point at which an end face of an optical fiber is positioned, a beam splitter which is at least partially transmissive to light of a first wavelength from the laser diode and partially reflective of light of a second wavelength being emitted from the fiber into a second beam path on which a detector is positioned. To improve the positioning, the first lens and the laser diode are mounted on a carrier member in a fixed relationship which enables assembling the device with less problems with maladjustment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a laser diode with respect to a coupling optic for a waveguide to obtain the optimum light transmission characterized by providing a reflecting reference plane or surface extending perpendicular to the axis of the waveguide adjacent the coupling optic, projecting light through the waveguide and coupling optic onto the reflecting surface, measuring the amount of light reflected into the waveguide and adjusting the axial position of the waveguide and optic relative to the reflecting surface to obtain the optimum value, then placing the semiconductor with the facet in the reference plane and either operating the semiconductor to provide light for coupling into the waveguide and adjusting the relative positions in a transverse plane to the axis of the waveguide to obtain the optimum transmission or operating the semiconductor laser as a detector and coupling light into the waveguide at a point spaced from the laser to project into the detector and making adjustments in the t

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fiber taper with a refractive lens, said method comprising the steps of placing a fiber in an axial tension of a given amount; locally heating a portion of the fiber under tension to cause softening and the formation of a constriction in the fiber in the area of heating; removing the tension and continuing the heating to raise the temperature to a point at which the viscosity of the heated material is such that the surface tension causes a further constriction and a transverse separation of the fiber at the constriction; continuing the heating to form the desired curvature of the lens on the separated ends; and then after the desired curvature is formed, stopping the heating to enable the ends to cool and solidify.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing constrictions in fibers characterized by a stretching device for stretching the fiber and a heating device for brief local heating of the stretched fiber to a softening temperature. To improve the reliability and reproducibility of the constrictions formed in the fiber, the stretching device includes an arrangement which limits the maximum stretching force applied to the fiber and includes two exactly aligned guide grooves, which are spaced apart with the heating means disposed therebetween, for positioning the fiber during the heating and stretching steps. To produce the exactly aligned guide grooves, the method includes providing a substrate having a rectilinear guide groove, securing the substrate on a support member and subsequently removing a center portion of the substrate to leave a pair of spaced substrate sections having the aligned grooves.

Abstract: A prism coupler for coupling light into and out of an optical waveguide and characterized by the temperature dependency being eliminated. This is accomplished by a skillful selection of the prism angle and the prism material of a single prism or by combining two prisms of different materials whose indices of refraction and prism angles are selected to compensate for the effects of temperature on both the prism and the waveguide. Preferably, the waveguide is doped in a substrate of LiNbO.sub.3 and the prism utilizes a compound prism having a first prism consisting of LiNbO.sub.3 and a second prism of polystyrene.

Abstract: An optical device, such as the switch, for controlling the passage of a light beam into and out of an end face of a waveguide such as a glass fiber includes utilizing either a layer or drop of liquid material to control the light passage. The liquid material can be a layer, which has changeable optical properties, which can occur by applying a magnetic field, heat or electrical field or the material can be a layer of electrolyte material which will precipitate a reflective layer or electrochromic layer in response to an application of an electrical field. In another embodiment, the liquid material may be moved into and out of engagement with the end face to change the reflective nature of the end face and to cause decoupling of light from the end face or block the transmission of light.

Abstract: A planar electro-optical light deflector is operable to provide a plurality of beam positions and is characterized in that the same is a Bragg deflector having several adjacently-disposed electrode structures which are separately activatable, have respective different grid constants and are disposed on a layer waveguide inclined in such a manner that the light impinges on the respective electrode structures under respective Bragg angles, whereby the layer waveguide is capable of excitation over a width which corresponds to the totality of all electrode structures.

Abstract: A planar waveguide lens is characterized in that the same is a gradient lens, whereby the refractive index profile transversely to the lens axis extends approximately parabolically. The lens may be constructed to be multi-mode or may be constructed to be single-mode in the spatial direction perpendicular to the lens axis and perpendicular to the axis in which the indicated change of the refractive index profile extends. Grid structures are provided for dividing the light. The grid structures may be permanent, electro-optically produced or acousto-optically produced. For single mode fibers, the grid structures are produced by acoustic surface waves, while for multi-mode fibers, the grid structures are produced by way of acoustical volume waves.