Abstract: Method and systems are presented for analysing a wavefront using a spectral wavefront analyser to extract optical phase and spectral information at a two dimensional array of sampling points across the wavefront, wherein the relative phase information between the sampling points is maintained. Methods and systems are also presented for measuring an eye by reflecting a wavefront of an eye and measuring the wavefront at a plurality of angles to provide a map of the off-axis relative wavefront curvature and aberration of the eye. The phase accuracy between wavelengths and sample points over a beam aperture offered by these methods and systems have a number of ocular applications including corneal and anterior eye tomography, high resolution retinal imaging, and wavefront analysis as a function of probe beam incident angle for determining myopia progression and for designing and testing lenses for correcting myopia.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for obtaining high-resolution 3-D images of a sample over a range of wavelengths, optionally with polarization-sensitive detection. In preferred embodiments a spectral domain OCT apparatus is used to sample the complex field of light reflected or scattered from a sample, providing full range imaging. In certain embodiments structured illumination is utilized to provide enhanced lateral resolution. In certain embodiments the resolution or depth of field of images is enhanced by digital refocusing or digital correction of aberrations in the sample. Individual sample volumes are imaged using single shot techniques, and larger volumes can be imaged by stitching together images of adjacent volumes.

Abstract: Method and systems are presented for analyzing a wavefront using a spectral wavefront analyzer to extract optical phase and spectral information at a two dimensional array of sampling points across the wavefront, wherein the relative phase information between the sampling points is maintained. Methods and systems are also presented for measuring an eye by reflecting a wavefront of an eye and measuring the wavefront at a plurality of angles to provide a map of the off-axis relative wavefront curvature and aberration of the eye. The phase accuracy between wavelengths and sample points over a beam aperture offered by these methods and systems have a number of ocular applications including corneal and anterior eye tomography, high resolution retinal imaging, and wavefront analysis as a function of probe beam incident angle for determining myopia progression and for designing and testing lenses for correcting myopia.

Abstract: Interferometry-based methods and apparatus are presented for analyzing one or more wavefronts from a sample, in which the sample wavefronts are interfered with two or more reference wavefronts to produce two or more interferograms in a sufficiently short time period for the interferograms to be captured in a single exposure of an image capture device such as a CCD array. Each interferogram has a unique carrier frequency dependent on the angle between a respective pair of sample and reference wavefronts. In certain embodiments multiple sample and/or reference wavefronts are generated using scanning mirrors, while in other embodiments utilizing multi-wavelength beams multiple sample and/or reference wavefronts are generated with wavelength dispersive elements. The methods and apparatus are suitable for measuring aberrations at one or more positions on the retina of an eye.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for multichannel optical coherence tomography. Light from a wavelength tuneable or steppable optical source is separated into one or more sample beams and one or more reference beams, and the one or more sample beams directed onto a sample to form one or more interaction regions. A plurality of returning probe beams are collected and mixed with the one or more reference beams to form an interference pattern comprising a plurality of interferograms having at least two distinct carrier frequencies. The multichannel optical apparatus can be provided with polarisation discrimination by mixing the returning probe beams with two orthogonally polarised reference beams to form one or more interference patterns each comprising a plurality of interferograms having at least two distinct carrier frequencies.

Abstract: Described herein is a wavelength selective switch (WSS) type optical switching device (1) configured for switching input optical beams from input optical fiber ports (3, 5 and 7) to an output optical fiber port (9). Device (1) includes a wavelength dispersive grism element (13) for spatially dispersing the individual wavelength channels from an input optical beam in the direction of a second axis (y-axis). The optical beams propagate from input ports (3, 5 and 7) in a forward direction and are reflected from a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device (11) in a return direction to output port (9). The input optical beams are transmitted through a port selecting module (21), which provides polarization diversity to device (1) and provides capability to restrict optical beams returning from LCOS device (11) from being coupled back into input ports (3, 5 and 7).

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a WDM array includes an optical filter, N common ports, N reflection ports, and N pass ports. The N common ports may be positioned to a first side of the optical filter. N may be greater than or equal to two. The N reflection ports may be positioned to the first side of the optical filter. The N pass ports may be positioned to a second side of the optical filter opposite the first side.

Abstract: Described herein is a wavelength selective switch (WSS) type optical switching device (1) configured for switching input optical beams from input optical fiber ports (3, 5 and 7) to an output optical fiber port (9). Device (1) includes a wavelength dispersive grism element (13) for spatially dispersing the individual wavelength channels from an input optical beam in the direction of a second axis (y-axis). The optical beams propagate from input ports (3, 5 and 7) in a forward direction and are reflected from a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device (11) in a return direction to output port (9). The input optical beams are transmitted through a port selecting module (21), which provides polarization diversity to device (1) and provides capability to restrict optical beams returning from LCOS device (11) from being coupled back into input ports (3, 5 and 7).

Abstract: Described herein is a calibration system (25) for a wavelength selective switch (1). The switch (1) is adapted for dynamically switching optical beams (5, 7) along respective trajectories between input and output ports disposed in an array (3) using a reconfigurable Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator device (17). The calibration system (25) includes a monitor (27) for projecting an optical monitor beam (29) through at least a portion of the switch (1) onto the LCOS (17) and detecting the monitor beam (29) reflected from the LCOS (17). In response, system (25) provides a calibration signal (33) to an active correction unit (35) for applying a correction to one or more of the trajectories while maintaining a constant switching state in the LCOS (17).

Abstract: An optical cross-connect connecting a series of optical input ports to a series of optical output ports includes at least a first group of input/output port arrays, each including a series of optical input/output ports disposed horizontally and configured to project or receive optical signals. A plurality of steering elements selectively steer optical signals along switching trajectories between the input and output ports. An angle-to-offset conversion unit converts optical signals propagating at the horizontal intra-array angles to corresponding spatial offset signals in the horizontal dimension. An optical interconnect includes a series of input/output regions, each being specific to a corresponding input/output port array and the input/output regions being divided vertically into elongated switching rows.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a WDM array includes an optical filter, N common ports, N reflection ports, and N pass ports. The N common ports may be positioned to a first side of the optical filter. N may be greater than or equal to two. The N reflection ports may be positioned to the first side of the optical filter. The N pass ports may be positioned to a second side of the optical filter opposite the first side.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for obtaining high-resolution 3-D images of a sample over a range of wavelengths, optionally with polarisation-sensitive detection. In preferred embodiments a spectral domain OCT apparatus is used to sample the complex field of light reflected or scattered from a sample, providing full range imaging. In certain embodiments structured illumination is utilised to provide enhanced lateral resolution. In certain embodiments the resolution or depth of field of images is enhanced by digital refocusing or digital correction of aberrations in the sample. Individual sample volumes are imaged using single shot techniques, and larger volumes can be imaged by stitching together images of adjacent volumes.

Abstract: Described herein is an optical channel monitor (1) including a protective housing (3), an input port (5) disposed in the housing (3) and configured for receiving at least one input optical signal (7) including one or more optical channels separated by wavelength. A wavelength configurable laser (9) is located within the housing (3) and is configured to provide an optical reference signal (11) at a first wavelength (?r). The laser (9) is adapted to scan across a range of wavelengths covering the one or more optical channels. An optical mixing module (13) is coupled to the input port (5) and the laser (9) for mixing the input optical signal (7) with the optical reference signal (11) to produce a mixed output signal. A receiver module (15) is configured to receive the mixed output signal and extract signal information indicative of at least the optical power of the at least one input optical signal at the first wavelength (?r).

Abstract: Described herein is a spatial light modulator (15) for modulating the phase, retardation or polarization state of an incident optical signal propagating in a first dimension. The optical phase modulator (15) includes a liquid crystal material (17) and a pair of electrodes (19 and 21) for supplying an electric potential across the liquid crystal material (17) to drive liquid crystals in a predetermined configuration. Modulator (15) also includes a diffractive optical element (29) disposed adjacent a first electrode (19). Element (29) includes a first array of diffractive elements (31) formed of a first material having a first refractive index and extending in a second dimension substantially perpendicular to the first dimension. Elements (31) are at least partially surrounded by a second material (33) formed of a lower refractive index.

Abstract: Method and systems are presented for analysing a wavefront using a spectral wavefront analyser to extract optical phase and spectral information at a two dimensional array of sampling points across the wavefront, wherein the relative phase information between the sampling points is maintained. Methods and systems are also presented for measuring an eye by reflecting a wavefront of an eye and measuring the wavefront at a plurality of angles to provide a map of the off-axis relative wavefront curvature and aberration of the eye. The phase accuracy between wavelengths and sample points over a beam aperture offered by these methods and systems have a number of ocular applications including corneal and anterior eye tomography, high resolution retinal imaging, and wavefront analysis as a function of probe beam incident angle for determining myopia progression and for designing and testing lenses for correcting myopia.

Abstract: Interferometry-based methods and apparatus are presented for analysing one or more wavefronts from a sample, in which the sample wavefronts are interfered with two or more reference wavefronts to produce two or more interferograms in a sufficiently short time period for the interferograms to be captured in a single exposure of an image capture device such as a CCD array. Each interferogram has a unique carrier frequency dependent on the angle between a respective pair of sample and reference wavefronts. In certain embodiments multiple sample and/or reference wavefronts are generated using scanning mirrors, while in other embodiments utilising multi-wavelength beams multiple sample and/or reference wavefronts are generated with wavelength dispersive elements. The methods and apparatus are suitable for measuring aberrations at one or more positions on the retina of an eye.

Abstract: Described herein is an optical transmission cross-connect for routing wavelength signals to a bank of directionless transceivers. One embodiment (1) includes an array of four common-port fibers (3) for transmitting and receiving a multiplexed optical signal and an array of sixteen add/drop fibers (5) for receiving and transmitting demultiplexed signals including individual wavelength channels. A dispersive grism (7) simultaneously spatially separates the wavelength channels from the optical signals in a dispersion dimension. A lens (45) focuses each said spatially separated wavelength channel in the dispersion dimension. A Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) device (11) separately manipulates each of the focused spatially separated wavelength channels to selectively steer the wavelength channels in a switching dimension.

Abstract: A method of analyzing an input signal, the method including the steps of: (a) dividing a first input signal into first and second orthogonal signal polarization components; (b) dividing a second input signal into orthogonal first and second orthogonal local polarization components; (c) mixing the first orthogonal signal component with the second orthogonal local polarization component to provide a first mixed signal; (d) mixing the second orthogonal signal component with the first orthogonal local polarization component to provide a second mixed signal; (e) analyzing the first and second mixed signal to determine the polarization or phase information in the input signal.

Abstract: Described herein is an optical channel monitor (100), including a plurality of input ports in the form of optical fibers (102) disposed in a vertical “port displacement” dimension. Each fiber (102) inputs a respective optical beam (103) having a plurality of individual wavelength channels. A lens (104) collimates each beam and converges the beams in the port displacement dimension to a focal plane (105). The collimated and converged beams are incident onto a rotatable micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) mirror (106), which selectively directs each optical beam onto a wavelength dispersion element in the form of a grism (108) at a predetermined angle (denoted by ?) in a horizontal “dispersion” plane. The grism (108) spatially separates, in the dispersion plane, the wavelength channels contained within each optical beam (103) by diffraction. The angle at which each channel is diffracted is controlled by the angle ?.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a cross-connect type optical switch (E.g. 1) for switching optical beams between a plurality of optical fibers. Switch 1 includes four input/output optical fiber banks (3, 5, 7 and 9). Each fiber bank includes an array of connector ports (11, 13, 15 and 17) for connecting up to twenty optical fibers for projecting input optical beams and receiving output optical beams. Each fiber bank also includes a corresponding array of micro-electromechanical mirrors (MEMs) (19, 21, 23 and 25) positioned to receive input optical beams and to direct optical beams to connected output optical fibers. An optical interconnect (27) is disposed between the MEMs arrays. Interconnect 27 separately manipulates each directed optical beam along a predefined trajectory between first MEMs mirrors and second MEMs mirrors based on the particular MEMs mirror angles.