Abstract: A variable electrochromic optical attenuator is provided that is used to control the intensity of a light signal. The electrochromic optical attenuator comprises a semi-transparent electrochromic device, and a plurality of electrodes configured to conduct electricity to the electrochromic device such that the transparency of the electrochromic device will be affected by an amount proportional to the magnitude of the electricity applied to the plurality of electrodes. The intensity of the light signal transmitted through the electrochromic device is affected by an amount proportional to the magnitude of the electricity applied to the plurality of electrodes. The electrochromic optical attenuator also includes at least one polarizing element having an optical polarization axis, wherein the polarizing element transmits a portion of the light signal proportional to the angular difference between the optical polarization axis of the light signal and that of the polarizing element.

Abstract: A system for providing DHTML (“Dynamic Hyper-Text Markup Language”) accessibility. Rich keyboard and other assistive technology (“AT”) accessibility is provided for sophisticated Web applications. When a user downloads a Web page, the system performs initialization that includes loading at least one display object, and binding the object to a predetermined event, such as, for example, a focus event. The event the object is bound to may be any semantic, device independent event. The disclosed system may also load a device handling function, such as a keyboard handling function. The device handling function associates one or more display objects with corresponding device actions, such as key presses. A keyboard handling function may operate to intercept at least one key press, and determine that an intercepted key press matches a key press corresponding to a previously loaded display object.

Abstract: A plug in communications module for achieving bi-directional communication along a single fiber-optic cable in a fiber-optic network. The plug in module is made such that it plugs directly into fiber-optic communication equipment of standard form factors. Bi-directional communication is achieved by using a low-cost circulator. The plug in module also has a receptacle that is used for attaching a patch cable between the fiber-optic network in the plug in module.

Abstract: A system for providing document conversion services that uses XML (extensible Mark-up Language) to provide document conversion services. A document type definition (DTD) defines tags and attributes for document conversion services, and includes a number of global variable definitions. Each “convertor” tag defines a document conversion filter, using a “filter” tag contained within it. Within each convertor tag, multiple input and output tags describe the capabilities of the convertor, and can be used to define the input document types and output document types for the associated filter. The filter tag can have a “class” attribute or the like, that may be used to provide a fully qualified class name for the filter. A “remote” tag defines whether the conversion for an associated filter is performed on an identified remote server computer system.

Abstract: A gain flattening and tap device. A gain flattening filter for use in fiber-optic communications includes a substrate. A GFF film is formed on a first surface of the substrate. An HR film is formed on a second surface of the substrate. The HR film is arranged to receive light from the GFF film and to reflect at least some of the light back through the GFF film. By passing the light through the GFF film multiple times, the effectiveness of the GFF film is multiplied. Further, by constructing the HR film to allow portions of the light to pass through, a tap may be implemented with the GFF.

Abstract: The present invention provides low cost methods and apparatuses for filtering out polarized light reflections in a free-space optical isolator. In one embodiment, a laser directs a non-polarized optical signal through a series of polarizers and rotators in order to isolate an optical signal having a specific polarization. The present invention also includes a quarter-wave plate placed in series with the rotators and polarizers, to help filter away reflections occurring while the signal passes through free space. The inclusion of the quarter-wave plate helps filter away a greater amount of near-end reflections from going back to the laser, even with the use of low cost polarizers. Accordingly, the present invention can polarize an optical signal more efficiently than with prior methods, and at a much lower cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a deep trench capacitor in a semiconductor substrate (1) comprising the steps of: providing a first trench (2) in the semiconductor substrate (1); oxidizing the semiconductor substrate (1) in the first trench (2) for providing an oxidized silicon layer (3); depositing a conformal aluminium-oxide layer (4) in the first trench (2); removing the horizontal regions (5) of the deposited aluminium-oxide layer (4) and the oxidized silicon layer (3); providing a second trench (6) underneath the first trench (2); increasing the width of the second trench (6) to a widened second trench (7) for providing a bottle structure (8); depositing a dielectric layer (10) in the widened second trench (7) and filling the widened second trench (7) with a conductive filling (11).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fused coupler having at least two fiber optic cables that have a positive coefficient of thermal expansion. A section of each of the fiber optic cables is placed together and heated until they form a single fused section that acts as a coupler. A jacket having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, the absolute value of which is approximately equal to the absolute value of the positive coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber optic cables, is placed around the fused section of the fiber optic cables. The jacket can be manufactured from a ceramic material that is specifically manufactured with a negative coefficient of thermal expansion. A filler material, such as an epoxy resin, is inserted in a gap between the jacket and the fused sections of the fiber optic cables such that the gap is filled in.

Abstract: A kennel includes a plurality of side panels that are connected or coupled together with a gate panel to form an enclosure. The gate panel has a pair of ends that are configured for connecting to the side panels and allow access into and out of the enclosure via a doorway positioned between the ends. A door configured for opening and closing the doorway is positioned therein, and has a frame member directly and rotatably attached to a doorway frame member to form a compact door and doorway combination in the gate panel.

Abstract: A compact optical isolator includes a polarizer, a Faraday rotator, and an analyzer that are arranged in series. A magnet is also included to provide a magnetic field to the Faraday rotator. The outer edges of the polarizer, Faraday rotator, and analyzer are preferably parallel to each other and to the optical path of the incoming light beam so that the optical aperture through the optical isolator is maximized. In addition, each of the polarizer, the Faraday rotator, and the analyzer have at least one facet in the optical path of the light beam that is tilted from perpendicular with respect to the light beam such that reflections are avoided. The analyzer may have a wedge shape such that one surface mates level with an optical fiber and the opposing surface is tilted to prevent reflections. Alternatively, a wedge-shaped block may be located between the analyzer and the optical fiber.

Abstract: A waveguide optical amplifier package has a circulator and a planar waveguide amplifier optically communicating with the circulator. A core of the circulator receives an input beam, separates the input beam into a first beam and a second beam, and manipulates the first beam and the second beam so that they have the same polarization as they enter the waveguide. The waveguide includes one waveguide for each beam or a single waveguide that receives both beams. Following amplification of the beams power levels, the beams are directed into the circulator which combines the beams into an output beam that exits the circulator.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with optical add/drop modules. In one example, he drop portion of the add/drop module is accomplished by using thin film filters or thin film interleavers. The add portion of the add/drop module uses fused fiber interleavers for the less critical stages of the multiplexing process. In a final stage, fused fiber interleavers can be placed in series. A thin film interleaver having a flattop frequency response may also be used for the critical stage where the multiplexed channels are more closely spaced. The frequency response of the thin film interleaver is relatively constant across a bandwidth of a channel while having a drop off at the channel edge to reduce cross talk.

Abstract: An optical fiber for reducing modal dispersion and increasing both travel distance and transmission speed. A core center is formed in the core of the optical fiber. The core center is doped with impurities, is hollow, or is pulled at a lower temperature to increase diffraction of the core center. The core center discriminates the low order modes such that only the high order modes are present in the optical fiber. Because the low order modes are absorbed or otherwise discriminated against, the range of propagation constants is reduced and modal dispersion is likewise reduced. High order modes can be launched in the optical fiber using a lens whose center portion is obscured or by using a diffractive lens to couple a source to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator. A PIN structure is integrated with an optical detector such as a PIN diode or an APD diode. When the PIN structure is forward biased, the light signal is not affected and is detected by the optical detector. When the PIN structure is reverse biased, the light signal is attenuated and the dynamic range of the optical detector can be increased.

Abstract: Methods and structures for reducing and/or eliminating moisture penetration in an optical package. The optical package may include (1) a layer of inorganic material placed over the points of the optical package susceptible moisture penetration of the optical package; (2) a portion of hygroscopic material placed over the points of the optical package susceptible to moisture penetration; (3) a layer of hygroscopic material placed on the interior surface of the optical package; and/or (4) a layer of hydrophobic material coated on the optical surfaces of the optical package.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the addition of DWDM modules to CWDM systems in order to increase bandwidth over existing lines. This allows for the expansion of communications capacity without the need to replace existing CWDM systems. The DWDM modules can be transparently inserted into the CWDM systems by, in the CWDM system, reserving a channels for use by the DWDM. The DWDM system then occupies that channel with a scalable number of DWDM wavelength channels, for example four, eight, or sixteen. The DWDM systems can be used in both single and dual fiber systems as well as ring systems. Use of single fiber systems is obtained by implementing coupling devices, such as interleavers, passband filters, and circulators, that can used in pairs to couple bidirectional signals over a single fiber.

Abstract: Optical systems route signals bi-directionally on a single fiber. The bidirectional data transmission over a single fiber can be used for WDM systems, including for example both CWDM and DWDM systems. The systems can include devices, such as interleavers, bandpass filter, and circulators, which are used in pairs at opposite ends of an optical fiber to couple signals into a bidirectional signal over the optical fiber. The use of a circulator enables signals traveling in opposite directions on the single fiber to occupy the same wavelength channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods use single-fiber optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs) to enable bi-directional data transmission in WDM systems over a single fiber. By reducing the required capacity for an optical network from dual fibers to a single fiber, significant cost and bandwidth efficiencies are achieved. The systems and methods also provide redundancy protection in single-fiber bidirectional line ring systems. In the event of a downstream fiber or device failure, the OADM module receives a signal on a first wavelength from a first direction, shifts the signal from the first wavelength to a second wavelength, and sends the signal back down the fiber it originated from on the second wavelength, thus maintaining the propagation of the signal in the ring system.

Abstract: A plug in communications module for achieving bidirectional communication along a single fiber-optic cable in a fiber-optic network. The plug in module is made such that it plugs directly into fiber-optic communication equipment of standard form factors. Bi-directional communication is achieved by using a low-cost circulator. The plug in module also has a receptacle that is used for attaching a patch cable between the fiber-optic network in the plug in module.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide for methods to launch data signals from single mode fiber optic cable into legacy multimode fiber optic cable. In one exemplary embodiment, a single mode fiber is offset slightly from the axis of a multimode fiber, thus only exciting the outer mode of the multimode fiber. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, a core portion of the single mode fiber is exposed, heated, and fused with a cladding portion of the multimode fiber. In yet another alternate exemplary embodiment, various lenses can be used to collimate and focus light signals from single mode fibers into multimode fibers, and vice versa. In these exemplary embodiments, the transmitted light signals can be in the range of from 1470 to about 1610 nm with, for example, a 20 nm channel separation. Other wavelengths and channel separations are also possible.