Abstract: A method of analysis of a sample, including the steps of: (a) splitting an input optical beam into a probe beam and reference beam; (b) utilizing the probe beam to interrogate a sample and obtaining a return sample beam there from; (c) manipulating the reference beam into a predetermined polarization state; (d) mixing the return sample beam and reference beam producing a series of mixed beams; and (e) analyzing the polarization components of the series of mixed beams.

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

Abstract: An optical coupling device including: at least a first input port for delivering an optical input signal beam that includes a plurality of wavelength channels; at least a first optical output port for receiving an optical output signal beam; a wavelength dispersion element for spatially separating the plurality of wavelength channels in the optical input signal beam to form a plurality of spatially separated wavelength channel beams; an optical coupling device for independently modifying the phase of each of the spatially separated wavelength channel beams such that, for at least one wavelength channel beam, a selected fraction of the light is coupled to the first output port and a fraction of the light is coupled away from the first output port.

Abstract: In an optical communications link, an optical system including: at least a first input port for delivering an optical signal travelling in the communications link, the optical signal including a plurality of wavelength channels, the channels being utilized for carrying optical information over an optical data link; a dispersive element for spatially separating the wavelength channels; an active optical-phase element; and a plurality of optical manipulation elements for directing the spatially separated channels between the dispersive element and the optical phase element wherein, the optical phase element independently modifies the phase of predetermined ones of the wavelength channel in a predetermined and decoupled manner for substantial compensation of signal degradation effects imparted to the wavelength channels by said communications link.

Abstract: An optical signal manipulation system including: a series of ports for carrying a series of optical signals to be manipulated; a spatial separating means for spatially separating at least a first and a second group of light from the series of optical signals; wavelength dispersion element subsequently spatially separating wavelengths of the first and second series; wavelength processing means for processing separated wavelengths of the first and second series.

Abstract: A wavelength selective manipulation device and method including: at least a first optical input port for inputting an optical signal including a plurality of wavelength channels; a first wavelength dispersing element for angularly dispersing the wavelength channels of the optical signal into angularly dispersed wavelength signals; an optical power element for focussing in the angularly dispersed dimension the angularly dispersed wavelength signals into a series of elongated spatially separated wavelengths bands; a spatial manipulation element for selectively manipulating the spatial characteristics of the spatially separated wavelength bands to produce spatially manipulated wavelength bands.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer device comprising: a first optical input channel; a second optical input channel; an optical output channel; a first series of polarization manipulation elements inconnected to the first and second input channel, the elements manipulating the polarization state of light emitted from either the first or second input channel; a wavelength selective filter adapted to transmit first predetermined wavelengths and reflect second predetermined wavelengths emitted from the first and second optical channel; a second series of polarization manipulation elements for manipulating the first predetermined wavelengths; wherein input light from the second optical input channel having third predetermined range of wavelengths is combined with light emitted from the first optical input channel at the optical output channel.

Abstract: A method of filtering an input optical signal, the method including the step of: (a) utilising the phase response of a Gires-Tournois resonator to produce a corresponding spatial separation in a predetermined wavelength range of the input optical signal. The method further preferably can include the step of: (b) projecting substantially orthogonal beams onto the surface of a Gires-Tournois resonator at slightly different angles of incidence and utilising the phase difference in the phase response of the orthogonal beams to spatially separate the predetermined wavelength range. A birefringent wedge can be utilised to separate a polarised input beam into the substantially orthogonal beams for projection onto the surface of the Gires-Tournois resonator.

Abstract: An optical filter for providing frequency dependant filtering of an optical input signal, the filter including: an input wave guide; an output waveguide; a polarisation separation means; a variable polarisation rotation means, the variation being dependant on a first control input signal; and a birefringent element having variable birefringence, the variation being dependant on a second control input signal; wherein an optical input signal emitted from the input waveguide passes through the polarisation separation means, the variable polarisation rotation means and the birefringent element to the output waveguide so as to produce at the output waveguide an optical output signal having a frequency dependant output characteristics determined by one of the control input signals.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal optical device mapping a series of optical input/output signal waveguides to a corresponding series of optical input/output signal waveguides, the device comprising: a series of spaced apart input/output waveguides; a reflective imaging system for reflecting and focussing light emitted from the input/output waveguides; a plurality of crystal elements between the input/output waveguides and the reflective imaging means; at least one non-reciprocal polarization rotation element; wherein light emitted from a first input/output waveguide is transmitted to a second input/output waveguide in a polarization independent manner and light emitted from the second input/output waveguide is transmitted away from the first input/output waveguide.

Abstract: An optical circulator type device comprising: first, second, third and fourth input/output waveguides; a series of optical elements including polarisation rotation elements; wherein input light omitted from the first input/output waveguide traverses the series of optical elements which spatially separate the light into orthogonal polarisation states, projecting them towards the second and third input/output waveguides respectively; and polarised input light emitted from the second and third input/output waveguides traverse the series of optical elements and is combined at the fourth input/output waveguide.

Abstract: An optical device for producing a polarisation rotation of an optical signal, the device comprising: a birefringent material for, in use, splitting the optical signal into two orthogonal polarisation component signals; a polarisation rotating means for, in use, rotating each polarisation component signal by a predetermined amount, and wherein the device is arranged in a manner such that, in use, the two rotated polarisation component signals are being combined by way of the birefringent material for providing the predetermined polarisation rotated optical signal.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal optical device mapping a series of optical input/output signal waveguides to a corresponding series of optical input/output signal waveguides, the device comprising: a series of spaced apart input/output waveguides; a reflective imaging system for reflecting and focussing light emitted from the input/output waveguides; a plurality of crystal elements between the input/output waveguides and the reflective imaging means; at least one non-reciprocal polarization rotation element; wherein light emitted from a first input/output waveguide is transmitted to a second input/output waveguide in a polarization independent manner and light emitted from the second input/output waveguide is transmitted away from the first input/output waveguide.

Abstract: A non reciprocal optical device for transmitting light in a forward and reverse direction substantially independently of polarization state from a collection of waveguides. The device includes: a first array of spaced apart waveguides having at least a first wave guide and a second waveguide; a second array of spaced apart waveguides including at least a third waveguide; an imaging component for focusing a diverging beam of light disposed between the first array and the second array of waveguides, at least two polarization equalization components for polarization equalization of diverging or converging light, each of the polarization equalization components disposed between a waveguide array and the imaging component; add a plurality of polarization rotation components disposed between each waveguide array. Light from the first waveguide is transmitted to the third waveguide and light from the third waveguide is transmitted to the second waveguide in a polarization independent manner.

Abstract: An optical filter, comprising a first optical waveguide, a second optical waveguide and means for expanding light from the first optical waveguide into a beam, and at least one optical flat inserted partially into the beam so that a fraction of the light passes through each optical flat and a means for focussing the light into the second optical waveguide. In its simplest form the device has a Mach-Zehnder (sinusoidal) transmission characteristic. The filter can be tuned both in wavelength and extinction either mechanically or electrically. More complex (non-sinusoidal) characteristic can also be obtained.