Abstract: Self-aligning optical connectors, systems, and methods for connecting optically-transmissive elements are described. In one embodiment, a connector includes a first component, a second component connected to the first component, and an optomechanical element. The optomechanical element is positioned adjacent and between said first and second components such that a portion of the optomechanical element is exposed to a leakage light when the first and second components are misaligned. The exposed portion includes a photosensitive material configured to at least attempt to change a dimension when exposed to the leakage light. In operation, the optomechanical element exerts an alignment force on at least one of the first and second components tending to align the first and second components when the exposed portion of the optomechanical element is exposed to the leakage light.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided. An imaging system comprises a plurality of vortex lenses aligned to cover a field of view and produce multiple images of an area near a point source.

Abstract: Self-aligning optical connectors, systems, and methods for connecting optically-transmissive elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, a connector includes a first component, a second component connected to the first component, and an optomechanical element. The optomechanical element is positioned adjacent and between said first and second components such that a portion of the optomechanical element is exposed to a leakage light when the first and second components are misaligned. The exposed portion includes a photosensitive material configured to at least attempt to change a dimension when exposed to the leakage light. In operation, the optomechanical element exerts an alignment force on at least one of the first and second components tending to align the first and second components when the exposed portion of the optomechanical element is exposed to the leakage light.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and compensating for thermal drift in an optical network in a manner that enables an increased number of optical channels to be used on a given optical medium, such as on a single optical fiber. A pair of narrow band, closely spaced optical signals from an optical transmitter function as a “temperature probe” signal. The two narrow band signals are centered within one passband of a filter of an optical device, such as an optical router. When the two narrow band signals are transmitted back to an optical receiver via the router, the magnitudes of the two signals are compared and a determination can be made as to the magnitude and direction of thermal drift of the passbands of the filter of the optical router.

Abstract: Self-aligning optical connectors, systems, and methods for connecting optically-transmissive elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, a connector includes a first component, a second component connected to the first component, and an optomechanical element. The optomechanical element is positioned adjacent and between said first and second components such that a portion of the optomechanical element is exposed to a leakage light when the first and second components are misaligned. The exposed portion includes a photosensitive material configured to at least attempt to change a dimension when exposed to the leakage light. In operation, the optomechanical element exerts an alignment force on at least one of the first and second components tending to align the first and second components when the exposed portion of the optomechanical element is exposed to the leakage light.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided. An imaging system comprises a plurality of vortex lenses aligned to cover a field of view and produce multiple images of an area near a point source.

Abstract: A method for labeling or coding optical conduits is disclosed. The method includes providing an optical conduit, and utilizing reflected light resulting from the transmission of at least one light pulse along the optical conduit to generate a multi-digit code. Still further, the method includes utilizing the multi-digit code to distinguish the optical conduit from other optical conduits. The utilization of Bragg gratings to code or label optical conduits with a unique multi-digit code is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-aligning connector for connecting fiber-optic cables including a first component connected to a first cable of the cables during use of the connector and a second component connected to the first component and a second cable of the cables during use of the connector. The connector further includes an optomechanical element positioned adjacent and between the first component and the second component during use of the connector. The optomechanical element includes a photosensitive material that changes a dimension when exposed to light during use of the connector and a portion of the optomechanical element protrudes into a light path passing through the connector when the first component and the second component are misaligned. The optomechanical element changes the dimension and moves the second component with respect to the first component to align the connector when the protruding portion is exposed to the light during use of the connector.

Abstract: An optical Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) network system having a built-in self-testing capability of all optical paths in the network. A test signal generator is used to apply a low frequency test signal to a plurality of transmitters of the system. The test signal is impressed by each transmitter onto an optical data signal to form a composite optical signal having a data component and a test component. A plurality of receivers each include high-pass and low-pass filters that are used to separately extract the data and test components, respectively, of the received signals. The test components are then fed to a health monitoring circuit. The system and method enables every path used in the network to be monitored for integrity in real time, and without introducing a large plurality of duplicative components into the network system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using optical waveguides to detect chafing of electrical cables. Chafing damage is preferably detected by disposing several optical waveguides about the periphery of an electrical cable such that any chafing that causes damage to the electrical cable will likely also cause damage to at least one of the optical waveguides. The disclosed apparatus and method allows multiple optical waveguides of one cable segment to be connected to multiple optical waveguides of an adjacent cable segment using only a single optical waveguide connection, while still allowing each of the optical waveguides of either cable segment to be monitored independently of each other.

Abstract: A system, including reconfigurable optical cable splice for splicing optical cables, that does not require any direct handling of the optical fiber is described. The optical splice includes at least one input line; a plurality of output lines; and a plurality of connecting elements of substantially cubic shape including at least one ninety degree turning cube and a plurality of straight through cubes. Each of the connecting elements has a first surface disposed to be coupled to an end of the at least one input line and having at least two surfaces disposed to be coupled to at least two output lines respectively, whereby each input line defines an optic path for optic signals using one of the plurality of output lines. The splice further includes at least one storage location for storing at least one connecting element not in use. For reconfiguration, the system requires no electricity, no special tools, and no cleaning of fiber connections.

Abstract: A system, including reconfigurable optical cable splice for splicing optical cables, that does not require any direct handling of the optical fiber is described. The optical splice includes at least one input line; a plurality of output lines; and a plurality of connecting elements of substantially cubic shape including at least one ninety degree turning cube and a plurality of straight through cubes. Each of the connecting elements has a first surface disposed to be coupled to an end of the at least one input line and having at least two surfaces disposed to be coupled to at least two output lines respectively, whereby each input line defines an optic path for optic signals using one of the plurality of output lines. The splice further includes at least one storage location for storing at least one connecting element not in use. For reconfiguration, the system requires no electricity, no special tools, and no cleaning of fiber connections.

Abstract: A closed-loop optical network system includes a multi-mode network bus for transmitting a plurality of optical signals. The system further includes a multiplexer, a plurality of remote devices and a demultiplexer. The multiplexer can wavelength division multiplex a plurality of input optical signals for transmission via the network bus, where the input optical signals have a plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths. The remote devices are optically connected to the network bus, and can read optical signals having respective predefined optical wavelengths off of the network bus. Further, the remote devices can write optical signals having respective predefined optical wavelengths onto the network bus. The demultiplexer is capable of receiving optical signals having at least one of the plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths from the network bus and thereafter wavelength division demultiplexing the optical signals into a plurality of output optical signals.

Abstract: A carbon black process control system measures input variables such as feedstock flow rate, feedstock quality, air flow rate, air humidity, air temperature, fuel flow rate, fuel quality, and/or potassium additive solution flow rate at spaced intervals while the carbon black reactor is operating. Then, at spaced intervals in time one or more output variables of the carbon black, such as iodine number and/or DBP, are predicted in accordance with a prediction algorithm based on the values of the measured input variables. Then, at spaced intervals in time the predicted values of the output variables, such as iodine number and/or DBP, are averaged. Based on the average values of the predicted output variables, one or more input variables are then adjusted to achieve goal values of the predicted output variables, and thus obtain carbon black of substantially consistent quality.