Abstract: A transverse closed-loop fiber resonator (10) includes an inner cladding (102) having a surface (300) peripherally forming a closed-loop shape for confining light to the surface (300). The inner cladding has a first diameter thickness (104) and a first index of refraction profile in a cross-sectional portion of the transverse closed-loop fiber resonator (10). A ringed-core (120) corresponding to the closed-loop shape is disposed on the corresponding surface of the inner cladding (102). The ringed-core (120) has a second thickness (124) of material thinner than the first diameter thickness (104), and a second index of refraction profile greater than the first index of the inner cladding by an index delta in the cross-sectional portion of the transverse closed-loop fiber resonator such that the ringed-core can guide light within the ringed-core traversely around the closed-loop shape.

Abstract: A spherical lens formed by fusing a generally homogenous glass lens blank to the distal end of an optical fiber, heating and tensioning the lens blank to separate it in two segments with the segment attached to the optical fiber defining a tapered end, and heating the lens blank above its softening point so that the spherical lens forms. The lens blank is fabricated from a 4 weight percent borosilicate glass having a softening point less than that of the core of the optical fiber. The lens member defines a throat region adjacent the optical fiber whose cross-sectional dimension is substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber, but substantially less than the diameter of the spherical lens.

Abstract: A fiber lens includes a graded-index lens, a single-mode fiber disposed at a first end of the graded-index lens, and a refractive lens having a hyperbolic or near-hyperbolic shape disposed at a second end of the graded-index lens to focus a beam from the single-mode fiber to a diffraction-limited spot.

Abstract: A transverse closed-loop fiber resonator (10) includes an inner cladding (102) having a surface (300) peripherally forming a closed-loop shape for confining light to the surface (300). The inner cladding has a first diameter thickness (104) and a first index of refraction profile in a cross-sectional portion of the transverse closed-loop fiber resonator (10). A ringed-core (120) corresponding to the closed-loop shape is disposed on the corresponding surface of the inner cladding (102). The ringed-core (120) has a second thickness (124) of material thinner than the first diameter thickness (104), and a second index of refraction profile greater than the first index of the inner cladding by an index delta in the cross-sectional portion of the transverse closed-loop fiber resonator such that the ringed-core can guide light within the ringed-core traversely around the closed-loop shape.

Abstract: A multi-lens apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical fiber having a core region defining an optical axis and a GRIN-fiber lens positioned in relation to one end of the optical fiber. A biconic lens including an external surface defined by two different curves disposed substantially orthogonal to one another, a major curve C1 and a minor curve C2, with C1 and C2 intersecting at or near the optical axis is positioned in relation to an end of the GRIN-fiber lens remote from the fiber. A method of manufacturing a multi-lens apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal, and an optical assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a GRIN-fiber lens and a reflective surface disposed at one end of the GRIN-fiber lens, the reflective surface configured to cooperate with the GRIN-fiber lens to redirect the path of the optical signal directed against the reflective surface. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal and an optical assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber lens includes a multimode fiber and a refractive lens disposed at an end of the multimode fiber. The refractive lens focuses a beam from the multimode fiber into a diffraction-limited spot. In one embodiment, a graded-index is interposed between the multimode fiber and the refractive lens. In one embodiment, the combination of the graded-index and the refractive lens enables extreme anamorphic lens characteristics.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for passively aligning optical elements are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the apparatus and methods include optical elements aligned on bases which are passively aligned and secured on a substrate by alignment features adapted to secure and passively align the bases.

Abstract: A light emitting device (e.g., organic light emitting diode (OLED)) and a method for manufacturing the OLED are described herein. Basically, the OLED includes a substrate, a first conductive electrode, at least one organic layer, a second conductive electrode, an encapsulant substrate and a microstructure. The microstructure has internal refractive index variations or internal or surface physical variations that function to perturb the propagation of internal waveguide modes within the OLED and as a result allows more light to be emitted from the OLED. Several different embodiments of the microstructure that can be incorporated within an OLED are described herein.

Abstract: Articles and methods for securing or aligning objects on substrates are disclosed. The articles and methods include a gripping element disposed on a substrate that includes a groove and flexible gripping elements. The articles and methods are particularly useful for securing optical fibers in arrays and manufacturing optical devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion controlled optical waveguide fiber, and telecommunication systems using such a waveguide fiber, in which the end to end total dispersion and total dispersion slope is controlled by varying the refractive index profile along the fiber length. The waveguide fiber includes length portions each of which is characterized by total dispersion having a magnitude and sign and total dispersion slope having a magnitude and sign. The magnitudes and signs of total dispersion and total dispersion slope of respective length portions are chosen to provide for the optical waveguide fiber a desired end to end total dispersion and total dispersion slope. An advantage is achieved in the present invention by designing the refractive index profiles of the length portions to have total dispersion and total dispersion slope of opposite sign.

Abstract: A fiber lens includes a graded-index lens, a single-mode fiber disposed at a first end of the graded-index lens, and a refractive lens having a hyperbolic or near-hyperbolic shape disposed at a second end of the graded-index lens to focus a beam from the single-mode fiber to a diffraction-limited spot.

Abstract: Articles and methods for securing or aligning objects on substrates are disclosed. The articles and methods include a gripping element disposed on a substrate that includes a groove and flexible gripping elements. The articles and methods are particularly useful for securing optical fibers in arrays and manufacturing optical devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides photonic devices utilized in optical telecommunications. The photonic devices include photosensitive bulk glass bodies which contain Bragg gratings, particularly with the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies directing optical telecommunications wavelength range bands. Preferably the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies are batch meltable alkali boro-alumino-silicate bulk glass bodies. One embodiment of the invention relates to an optical element including a transparent photosensitive bulk glass having formed therein a non-waveguiding Bragg grating; and a optical element optical surface for manipulating light. Desirably, the photosensitive bulk glass has a 250 nm absorption less than 10 dB/cm.

Abstract: A lensed apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical fiber biconic lens disposed on an end of the optical fiber such that the optical fiber and the biconic lens define an optical axis. The biconic lens includes an external surface defined by two different curves disposed substantially orthogonal to one another, a major curve C1 and a minor curve C2, wherein C1 and C2 intersect at or near the optical axis. A method of manufacturing a lensed apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal, and an optical assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-lens apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical fiber having a core region defining an optical axis and a GRIN-fiber lens positioned in relation to one end of the optical fiber. A biconic lens including an external surface defined by two different curves disposed substantially orthogonal to one another, a major curve C1 and a minor curve C2, with C1 and C2 intersecting at or near the optical axis is positioned in relation to an end of the GRIN-fiber lens remote from the fiber. A method of manufacturing a multi-lens apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal, and an optical assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a GRIN-fiber lens and a reflective surface disposed at one end of the GRIN-fiber lens, the reflective surface configured to cooperate with the GRIN-fiber lens to redirect the path of the optical signal directed against the reflective surface. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal and an optical assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features an optical component based on a wavelength-dispersive element in conjunction with reflective elements to provide wavelength-sensitive control multi-wavelength light signals such as wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light signals. Both static reflective elements and movable (dynamic) reflective elements are described. Optical devices such as gain-flattening filters and dynamically configurable wavelength selective routers with built-in gain flattening filters are described.

Abstract: A single mode optical waveguide fiber designed for high data rate, or WDM systems or systems incorporating optical amplifiers. The optical waveguide has a compound core having a central region and at least one annular region surrounding the central region. A distinguishing feature of the waveguide core is that the minimum refractive index of the central core region is less than the minimum index of the adjacent annular region. A relatively simple profile design has the characteristics of ease in manufacturing together with flexibility in tailoring Dw to yield a preselected zero dispersion wavelength, dispersion magnitude over a target wavelength range, and dispersion slope. The simplicity of profile gives reduced polarization mode dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention provides photonic devices utilized in optical telecommunications. The photonic devices include photosensitive bulk glass bodies which contain Bragg gratings, particularly with the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies directing optical telecommunications wavelength range bands. Preferably the ultraviolet photosensitive bulk glass bodies are batch meltable alkali boro-alumino-silicate bulk glass bodies.