Abstract: Optical devices are disclosed, one example of which includes first and second polarization maintaining (“PM”) fibers. The first and second PM fibers in this example are disposed beside each other to form a grouping that includes a secondary axis defined by the first and second PM fibers. The first and second PM fibers are oriented such that a fast axis of the first PM fiber is non-parallel with respect to a fast axis of the second PM fiber. Finally, the optical device is configured so that each of the PM fibers maintains a distinct optical transmission path.

Abstract: A method for improving the extinction ratio of a grouping of polarization maintaining (PM) fibers is disclosed, comprising: providing a plurality of PM fibers, the PM fibers each having corresponding principal axes; disposing the plurality of PM fibers as a grouping, the grouping having corresponding secondary axes; and aligning the plurality of PM fibers such that the corresponding principal axes of the plurality of the PM fiber and the secondary axes of the grouping intersect at a predetermined angle. Through the methods of the present invention, the extinction ratio of PM fibers may be improved.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus for the parallel optical processing of a plurality of optical beams within a 2 port optical processing unit. The optical processing unit may perform any of the functions associated with 2 port devices such as: isolators, modulators, filters etc. The present invention further advantageously provides optimal and uniform coupling between each pair of optical fibers, i.e. each discrete pair of access ports, with the optical processing unit. This is achieved in part by a precise geometric arrangement of all elements of the apparatus. The present invention further advantageously provides a reduced form factor and cost when compared with individual 2 port devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the parallel optical processing of a plurality of optical beams within a single optical processing unit is provided. The optical processing unit may perform any of the functions associated with the following 3 port devices: a circulator, a demultiplexer, an interleaver, a multiplexer, a forward power tap, a reverse power tap, a power splitter, a polarization beam combiner and a polarization beam splitter. Access to the optical processing unit is provided by opposing bundles of optical fibers the input and output of which is directed from and to the optical function unit by lenses. Each triplet of optical fibers provides 3 ports of access to the optical processing unit. This allows multiple discrete optical beams each with unique optical parameters, e.g. wavelength, power, modulation, polarization, propagation direction, etc.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus for the parallel optical processing of a plurality of optical beams within a 2 port optical processing unit. The optical processing unit may perform any of the functions associated with 2 port devices such as: isolators, modulators, filters etc. The present invention further advantageously provides optimal and uniform coupling between each pair of optical fibers, i.e. each discrete pair of access ports, with the optical processing unit. This is achieved in part by a precise geometric arrangement of all elements of the apparatus. The present invention further advantageously provides a reduced form factor and cost when compared with individual 2 port devices.