Abstract: An optical device has a substrate, a polarization beam splitter, first and second pairs of optical waveguides, a transducer and a thin film. The polarization beam splitter is formed on the substrate and has input and output sides. The first and second pairs of optical waveguides are formed on the substrate to guide polarized optical signals. The first pair of optical waveguides meets at the input side of the polarization beam splitter, and the second pair of optical waveguides meets at the output side of the polarization beam splitter. The transducer is formed of a comb-tooth electrode on the substrate to excite a surface acoustic wave on the substrate and rotate the polarization of the optical signal. The thin film covers a portion of each waveguide of either the first or second pairs of optical waveguides. The thin film may be formed of silicon dioxide or indium dioxide, either with a metal oxide optionally added thereto. The speed of sound in the thin film is less than that in the substrate.

Abstract: An improved interferometric modulator permits the reduction in size of optical transmitters. In one embodiment, the optical modulator includes amplifiers or attentuators as phase modulators. In another embodiment, two outputs from a combiner are fed to the modulator, thus avoiding the requirement for an input splitter in the modulator. Light passing through the modulator may be both phase-shifted and amplified or attenuated by optical regulator sections located in the modulator. In another embodiment, the transmitter is included as a multiple-wavelength optical communications source, where individual current sources are provided to actuate a number of light sources feeding into the combiner, a processor controls the operation of each light source, and a modulator driver receives a data input signal to be encoded on the output of the source. By combining a number of modulators, a gray scale modulator may be fabricated for producing a gray scale output, rather than a conventional binary level output.

Abstract: An electrically tunable optical modulator includes a substrate having an electrooptical effect, an optical waveguide having first, second, and third cascading portions in the substrate, and transmitting an optical field, a first coplanar waveguide electrode having a first part over the first cascading portion and second and third parts extending beyond the first cascading portion, a second coplanar waveguide electrode having a fourth part over the second cascading portion and fifth and sixth parts extending beyond the second cascading portion, a third coplanar waveguide electrode having a seventh part over the third cascading portion and eighth and ninth parts extending beyond the third cascading portion, a fourth coplanar waveguide electrode, a fifth coplanar waveguide electrode formed between the first and second coplanar waveguide electrodes, respectively, a sixth coplanar waveguide electrode formed between the second and third coplanar waveguide electrodes, and a seventh coplanar waveguide electrode.

Abstract: Method for optical energy transfer and energy guidance uses an electric field to control energy propagation using a class of poled structures in solid material. The poled structures, which may form gratings in thin film or bulk configurations, may be combined with waveguide structures. Electric fields are applied to the poled structures to control routing of optical energy. Techniques include frequency-selective switchable- and adjustable-tunable reflection, splitting, directional coupling, frequency-tunable switching and efficient beam combining, as well as polarized beam combining. Adjustable tunability is obtained by a poled structure which produces a spatial gradient in a variable index of refraction along an axis in the presence of a variable electric field. In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of switching a grating which consists of a poled material with an alternating domain structure of specific period.

Abstract: The present invention uses a single substrate to provide a small-size optical waveguide element that requires no optical axis adjustments, can be driven at a low voltage, is excellent in light utilization efficiency, and can rapidly two-dimensionally deflect a light beam. A right-triangle upper electrode and a rectangular transparent upper electrode are formed on top of a thin-film optical waveguide formed on a conductive substrate to serve as a lower electrode, and an emission right-angled prism is secured on top of the transparent upper electrode. A voltage is applied between the upper electrode and the conductive substrate, and between the transparent upper electrode and the conductive substrate. A horizontal deflection is performed upon application of a voltage to the upper electrode and a vertical deflection is performed upon application of a voltage to the transparent upper electrode.

Abstract: An optical modulator includes a substrate having an electrooptic effect, an optical waveguide having first and second cascading portions in the substrate, and transmitting an optical field, a first coplanar strip electrode having a first part over the first cascading portion and second and third parts extending beyond the first cascading portion, wherein the first part is approximately perpendicular to the second and third parts and has a width substantially the same as the first cascading portion, a second coplanar strip electrode having a first part over the second cascading portion and second and third parts to extend beyond the second cascading portion, and the first part being approximately perpendicular to the second and third parts, and a voltage source supplying a voltage to the first coplanar strip electrode, wherein the second coplanar strip electrode is grounded and is symmetrical to the first coplanar strip electrode.

Abstract: An optical scanning and imaging system and related method for scanning and imaging an object is disclosed. The scanning and imaging system does not use mechanically moving components to achieve lateral scanning of an object. Instead, the system includes a deflecting prism comprised of a material having an index of refraction that varies with changes in an applied electromagnetic field and that remains substantially constant with changes in wavelength of incident light within a predetermined wavelength range. An optical fiber transmits light within a predetermined wavelength from a light source through a gradient index lens which sends a collimated beam of light to the prism. Due to the unique properties of the prism, the light is deflected at a substantially constant angle within a lateral scanning plane. An objective lens can be used to further focus the light exiting the prism prior to directing it on the object being imaged.

Abstract: An optical device (300) comprises a multilayer structure, formed by wafer bonding, incorporating in sequence a silicon dioxide layer (304), a buried silicide layer (306), a contact layer (308) and a silicon surface layer (310). The surface layer (310) is selectively etched to form an exposed rib (312). An upper surface of the rib (312) is doped to form an elongate electrode (314) therealong. The surface layer (310) is selectively etched to the contact layer (308) in regions remote from the rib (312) to form via channels (316a, 316b) for making electrical connection to the contact layer (308). The rib (312) forms a waveguide along which radiation propagates. When the electrode (314) is biased relative to the contact layer (308), charge carriers are injected into the rib (312) and induce refractive index changes in a central region (324) thereof where most of the radiation propagates along the rib (312).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a modulator circuit for modulating light in a modulator circuit. The modulator circuit comprises a Mach-Zehnder modulator (12) having at least one optical input and at least one optical output, said Mach-Zehnder modulator (12) modulating light, which is fed to the input of the Mach-Zehnder modulator (12) in response to applied electrical modulation signals from a driver circuit (15). According to a method of the invention, the applied modulation signal on the electrodes of the Mach-Zehnder modulator is superimposed by a pilot tone which is thus superimposed by the modulated light emitted by the Mach-Zehnder modulator. In response to the emitted modulated light, an electrical feedback circuit (30) generates bias control signals for the bias circuit (16) and driver control signals for the driver circuit (15) for regulating the bias signal and the driver signal fed to the Mach-Zehnder modulator (12).

Abstract: This invention discloses a selectably directable optical beam generating device including at least one substrate having formed thereon a multiplicity of waveguides, and a laser monolithically formed on the at least one substrate and providing light to the multiplicity of waveguides.

Abstract: This invention discloses a selectably directable optical beam generating device including at least one light source, and at least one substrate, each having formed thereon a multiplicity of waveguides, each waveguide receiving light from the at least one light source and emitting light, the totality of light emitted by the multiplicity of waveguides producing at least one selectably directable output beam.

Abstract: This invention discloses a selectably directable optical beam deflecting device including at least at least one substrate having formed thereon a multiplicity of waveguides, each waveguide receiving light and emitting light, the totality of light emitted by said multiplicity of waveguides producing at least one selectably directable output beam, and at least one multiplexer applying electrical inputs to the at least one substrate for individually controlling the light emitted by each of the multiplicity of waveguides, thereby governing the orientation of the selectably directable output beam.

Abstract: A directional coupler including a substrate having a length and containing a material that exhibits electrooptic properties, the substrate being divided into a plurality of reversed polarization domains along a direction of length. At least two optical waveguides are formed in the substrate in the direction of length thereof and substantially parallel to a main surface thereof. An electrode is disposed above a portion of each optical waveguide for modulating light waves propagating through the waveguides, respectively, the electrode being divided equally by at least a portion of a boundary surface between the plurality of reversed polarization domains.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for aligning a plurality of transmission paths of an array of optical devices with a plurality of optical fibers. The method includes the steps of disposing the optical array on a first side of the transparent substrate with the plurality of optical transmission paths passing directly through the substrate, disposing a signal processor on the first side of the transparent substrate adjacent the array of optical devices, disposing a set of alignment guides on a second side of the transparent substrate parallel to the plurality of transmission paths for aligning the plurality of optical fibers with the plurality of transmission paths and coupling a plurality of signals processed by the processor through the plurality of transmission paths between the optical array and plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A waveguide optical semiconductor device, a method of fabricating the same and an optical device module. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a waveguide formed on the substrate, an electrode layer formed on the waveguide, and bumpers formed on the substrate. The bumpers are disposed on both side of the waveguide, and top surfaces of the bumpers are higher than a top surface of the electrode layer. The method of fabrication includes forming semiconductor layers for waveguide on a substrate, forming another semiconductor layer on the semiconductor layers, removing the another semiconductor layer and at least a part of the semiconductor layers selectively so that grooves are formed on both side of a region where the waveguide are expected to be formed, removing the another semiconductor layer at the region, remained portions of the another semiconductor layer form bumpers.

Abstract: A diffraction grating for a waveguide or for externally incident light. The grating includes a substrate and an electrooptic structure extending over it. The electrooptic structure may include a waveguide having a propagation axis. A first and a second electrode structure are provided on either side of the electrooptic structure so that an electric field is generated in the electrooptic structure when a potential is applied to the electrodes. The first electrode structure has an interdigitated configuration defining a plurality of fingers. In use, respective potentials V0 and V0+&Dgr;V are applied to adjacent fingers. The diffraction grating induced in the electrooptic structure by the periodic electric field advantageously has a refractive index adjustable by varying V0 and &Dgr;V and a spatial periodicity adjustable by varying &Dgr;V.

Abstract: In the present invention, the methods and apparatus for making efficient laser beam coupling are disclosed. In particular, new structures for shaping and rearranging laser beams from diode laser array are disclosed. Along with the use of unique methods for coupling pumping laser beam into optical fiber or other media, high efficiency can be achieved. These aspects of the present invention will facilitate the realization of high-efficiency and high-power fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers, or other solid state lasers. The beam shaping structures can significantly improve the quality of the beams from diode laser array, and is easy to realize and less demanding in system alignment. Thus, a diode-pumped solid state laser of this invention may comprise a laser medium, a focusing means, a beam source comprising at least one laser diode array, a beam offsetting means, an image optics and a beam redirection means.

Abstract: A thermo-optic switch is operated in a novel near-impulse mode in which the drive pulse width is shorter than twice the diffusion time of the switch. The drive pulse width is less than the rise time of the steady-state optical response and also less than the rise time of the deflection efficiency response to the applied drive pulse. The drive pulse can further include a sustaining segment following the initial short pulse segment, if it is desired to maintain the switch in an ON state for a longer period of time. A number of additional techniques are described for further reducing the response time of the switch. An array of thermo-optic switches operated in this manner can form a display which, due to the fast individual switch rise times, can operate at an overall fast refresh rate.

Abstract: An adjusting apparatus is provided, in particular, for the adjustment of a lens in an optoelectronic transmitting/receiving device, has a number of actuating elements or actuators, whose form or whose length can be altered by local application of radiation energy, preferably as laser radiation. The actuating elements are connected to a stationary base plate at one of their ends and connected to a movable carrier plate at their other end. The actuating elements can be disposed in such a way that they enable coarse adjustment and subsequent fine adjustment by the laser beam.

Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus for detecting objects in a monitored region includes a transmitter that emits transmission light, a receiver that receives a reflected light, and an evaluation unit, in which the transit time to of the transmission light that is guided in the monitored region and reflected back, as a reflected light, by an object is evaluated. The transmitter emits the transmission light in the form of a sequence of transmission light pulses. A portion of the light quantity of a transmission light pulse is coupled out as a reference transmission light pulse and guided by way of a reference path to the receiver. The transit time tR of the reference transmission light pulse guided as a reference reflected light pulse to the receiver is determined in the evaluation unit. The transit-time difference to−tR is used to determine the distance of an object.

Abstract: A thermo-optic switch using a small drive power while exhibiting a reduction in the coupling loss caused by the coupling to optical fibers and a switch speed of several hundred microseconds or less. A method for manufacturing the thermo-optic switch and a method for changing an optical line switching using the thermo-optic switch are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device and a method is proposed for writing on imaging material (3) with a radiation source (1) producing an electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength suitable for recording image information on the imaging material (3). The radiation produced by the radiation source (1) can be modulated with a waveguide which is integrated in a substrate material (49) and operates as a modulator (2). A modulation signal containing the image information can be received at an input (9) of the modulator (2). According to the invention, a compensator (6, 12) compensates a modulation error which occurs during modulation of the radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical modulator including an optical waveguide structure for converting an input beam into first and second output beams, an electrode for applying an electric field to the optical waveguide structure, so as to switch between a first mode where the input beam is converted into the first output beam and a second mode where the input beam is converted into the second output beam, first and second photodetectors for detecting the powers of the first and second output beams, respectively, and a bias circuit for applying a bias to the electrode so that the ratio in output level between the first and second photodetectors becomes constant. With this configuration, an operation point can be stabilized without the need for superimposition of a low-frequency signal, thereby suppressing intersymbol interference.

Abstract: An optical circuit include a plurality of optical wave guides each having an electro-optic crystal such as LiNbO3 or LiTaO3 and a domain orientation different from the other waveguide. More specifically, in accordance with the invention, a portion of the circuit is inverted with respect to a domain. For instance, in an optical wave guide having a domain-inverted portion, if electric fields having the same orientation are applied to a plurality of portions which vary an index of refraction thereof, indexes of refraction are caused to vary in opposite polarities. Hence, it is possible to lower a voltage at which an optical device operates. If the present invention is applied to a Mach-Zehnder type phase shifter, it would be possible to accomplish push-pull operation, only if an electric field has one orientation. The invention further lower a voltage at which the phase shifter operates through a difference in an index of refraction between two optical wave guides.

Abstract: A crosspiece is formed by hardening a resin containing a filler. The crosspiece and a substrate or an optical waveguide plate are joined to one another by the aid of a filler-containing adhesive containing a filler. After that, the filler-containing adhesive is hardened. Those preferably used as the fillers include high strength substances composed of, for example, ceramics, plastic, and glass. Especially, it is preferable that the filler is spherical.

Abstract: Electro-absorption modulator (EAM), of the kind that includes a waveguide, for modulation of light, comprising a waveguide core, a waveguide cladding (42, 43, 52, 53), and an electrode (45, 55), the modulator being arranged to modulate light launched into the modulator as a response to a voltage being applied on the electrode. According to the invention, the width and/or the thickness of the waveguide core (41, 51) are/is varying along the length of the modulator. The width/thickness is smaller in the portion of the modulator where the light is intended to be input, for the purpose of reducing the absorption of the modulator there. A method in manufacturing of the modulator may utilize a tapered photolithography mask (46).

Abstract: A long-distance optical transmission system comprising pulse emitter and receiver means (1, 2) and an optical line (3) which extends between said emitter and receiver means (1, 2) and which comprises alternating segments (3a, 3b) of dispersive fibers having chromatic dispersion of opposite signs, and also having a plurality of amplifiers (4), the system being characterized in that the optical line (3) comprises a plurality of pairs of dispersive fiber segments (3a, 3b) having chromatic dispersion of opposite signs between successive amplifiers (4), and in that the cumulative dispersion C over the majority of the segments of the optical line satisfies the relationship

Abstract: An optical switching device and a method of providing temperature control for the device utilize compensating thermal energy to maintain a consistent operating temperature. The optical switching device may be a thermally activated optical switch that routes optical signals using bubbles that are strategically created along optical paths within the device. The bubbles are created by thermal energy generated by switching heating elements. The compensating thermal energy may be generated by at least one compensating heating element or by at least one switching heating element that is not currently being used for optical switching, i.e., bubble creation. The compensating thermal energy is varied so that total thermal energy generated by the device is constant, which results in a consistent operating temperature. In a first embodiment, the device includes additional heating elements that are selectively activated to generate the compensating thermal energy.

Abstract: The surface area of a rectangular semiconductor substrate (10), which is used a reference plane, is composed of three regions arranged side by side in its lengthwise direction. A first one of the regions has a concavity (13) formed leaving opposite marginal portions of the region as banks (14a,14b), aid solder-coated pads (17) and alignment marks (18) are formed by metal thin films on the top surfaces of the banks. In a second region an electrode (16) is formed adjacent the first region and a semiconductor optical element (PD4) is mounted on the electrode with an active layer (31) of the former facing downward. An under-clad layer (211), acore (22), a height adjustment layer (26) and an over-clad layer (212), which constitute an optical waveguide, are formed over the surface of a second substrate, and the over-clad layer overlying both marginal portions of the second substrate is removed to expose the height adjustment layer to form terraces (20a, 20b) corresponding to the banks.

Abstract: A two-port guided wave tunable filter in a birefringent electrooptic and/or acoustooptic substrate material includes two 3-port, symmetric Y-branch beam splitters connected by two waveguide sections in which phase-matched polarization coupling occurs, with an input port and an output port. The optical path difference between the beam splitters is half an optical wavelength, and the polarization coupling regions between the beam splitters are relatively displaced by an odd integral multiple of half the spatial period of the perturbation responsible for the coupling. In one embodiment, an electrooptic tunable filter, the polarization coupling in the waveguides is caused by a spatially periodic strain-inducing film and tuning results from an applied electric field. In another embodiment, an acoustooptic tunable filter, polarization coupling results from a surface acoustic wave and tuning is accomplished by changing the acoustic frequency.

Abstract: A sensor array includes a fiber optic cable and at least one electro-optical conversion unit connected to the cable. The electro-optical conversion unit includes a housing formed of mating upper and lower covers. The housing includes an interior cavity for receiving a phase modulator module, a strength member and an interferometer formed by fibers connected to various splices and couplers in combination with the phase modulator module. The interior of the housing is filled with a fill material for holding the position of optical fibers to thereby protect against environmental factors such as shock and moisture.

Abstract: The thermooptic modulator includes a wave guide (1) having a switching section (4), a refracting section (5) bordering the switching section (4) and extending transversely to a signal propagation direction (14) in the wave guide and a first heating element (8) extending on the refracting section (5) along a boundary (6) between the wave guide (1) and the refracting section (5). In order to improve signal suppression when the modulator is switched to an impermable state, a second heating element (9) is provided extending on the wave guide (1) along the boundary (6).

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for controlling optical signal wavelength spacing by providing for simultaneous upconversion of a plurality of electrical signal on subcarrier frequencies of an optical carrier frequency with or without modulation of an electrical data signal onto the optical carrier frequency. The optical carrier lightwave is split into a plurality of split lightwaves upon which one or more electrical frequencies carrying information can be upconverted onto optical subcarriers of the lightwave carrier frequency. The relative spacings of the optical subcarrier lightwaves will thus be unaffected by variation in the carrier frequency. The optical subcarrier lightwaves can then be recombined to form the optical data signal carrying the plurality of information carried by the electrical frequencies.

Abstract: Tunable add/drop optical device for injecting or extracting (add/drop) at least a selected optical channel or carrier wavelength in or from a set of multiplexed channels or carriers of different wavelengths comprising a plurality of directional couplers (AD1 . . . AD6) and a plurality of phase-shift stages (SF1 . . . SF5) alternately connected in cascade, wherein each phase-shift stage defines a certain optical path length difference (&Dgr;L1 . . . &Dgr;L5) between two distinct optical paths of the stage. The tuning is performed modifying the refraction index of one path of said phase shift stages by means of Joule effect heating strips (L1 . . . L5) or by means of metallic field plates adapted to receive a signal suitable to modify the electric field intensity.

Abstract: The device comprises an upper silicon layer (10) including two optically connected rib waveguides (3,4) formed in the upper silicon layer (10); a pair of dissimilar materials (6,7) each positioned between the two waveguides (3,4); and an electrical circuit (8,9,13) through the pair of dissimilar materials (6,7), so that an electrical current can be passed through the dissimilar materials (6,7) in both forward and reverse directions, so as to simultaneously heat one waveguide and cool the other waveguide by virtue of the Peltier effect.

Abstract: Through silicon optical modulators (TSOM) formed in a silicon integrated circuit comprise an array of MOSFET elements which cause optical phase shifts of reflected light to identify a state of a signal. A polarization of the reflected light is modified by the phase shift and transmits the signal. The polarization of reflected light can be controlled by the angle of the incident light, by polarizing optical slits fabricated in the modulator, or by using a polarized mirror. Either embodiment allows the polarized reflected light to be nulled out. As such, a polarization of the reflected light is altered when the signal is applied to the modulator. The altered polarization can then be detected.

Abstract: A resultant device and a method for making a frame structure for use as a poled optical device (10) includes providing a glass preform (30) having a poling area (12) and a waveguiding core area (16). At least one feedstock (24) is assembled into the waveguiding core area (16). The at least one feedstock (24) is separated from the poling area (12). The glass preform (30) and the at least one feedstock (24) are heated (36) and drawn into a smaller diameter (13) to form an optical waveguide.

Abstract: A switch element utilizes a single polarizer to couple two discreet inputs to any combination of two discreet outputs along non-blocking optical paths. This switch element may be conveniently networked to additional switch elements for scaling to switches having larger numbers (N) of inputs and outputs. The present invention provides advantages typically associated with conventional polarization gates, including terabit per-second data rates, to facilitate use in fiber-optics networks. This switch element is relatively robust and insensitive to environmental disturbances and has a reconfiguration time which is an order of magnitude faster than conventional optomechanical switches which generally require tens of milliseconds before reconfiguration. The switch element provides constant data pathlength for constant latency, loss, and unskewed data output.

Abstract: An optical modulator includes an optical waveguide and an electrode structure coupled to the waveguide such that a modulating signal applied to the electrode structure varies the refractive index of the waveguide so as to produce a modulated optical output signal. The electrode is fabricated in the form of a transmission line terminated in a short circuit. The ratio of the wavelength of the modulating signal to the effective length of the electrode is comprised between 2.1 and 4.0, and is preferably of approximately 2.7. The modulator can be constructed to provide either phase or amplitude modulation. An optical transmission method having SBS suppression and an optical modulator system are further provided.

Abstract: An integrated optical Mach Zehnder structure has an optical path length modifying heater (phase-shifter) associated with a portion of the length of each interference arm of the Mach Zehnder. The portion of the length of the interference arm associated with one of the heaters is flanked with trenches that provide that portion with a temperature coefficient of birefringence different from that of the corresponding portion of the other interference arm. The invention is applicable no only to stand-alone Mach Zehnders, but also to more complex Mach Zehnder structures having a series combination of two or more component Mach Zehnders that are close coupled by having the two outputs of one component Mach Zehnder of the complex structure constitute the two inputs of the next component Mach Zehnder of the complex structure.

Abstract: Optoelectronic and photonic devices are formed by employing polymer materials that have a lower glass transition temperature (Tg) than the nominal operating temperature. By using such materials, the local or segmental mobility is increased so that local stress is eliminated or minimized on the polymer material, making performance more robust. The current invention involves use of a polymer in an optical device in an operating temperature range in the region above Tg, where the polymer segments between crosslinks are allowed local freedom of movement; however, large-scale movement of the material may be restricted by the crosslinked structure of the polymer material.

Abstract: An simlified optical configuration is acheved and, a direction discrimination function and a high resolving detection function are performed by one light receiving section. A TE mode emitted from an optical waveguide section 3 transmits through a beam splitter 5 and is guided to a measurement optical path. A TM mode emitted from the optical waveguide is reflected by the beam splitter 5 and is guided to a reference optical path. First and second ¼ wave plates 10 and 11 are inserted in the respective optical paths, and the TE and TM modes are acted by a ½ wave plate while travelling forward and backward on the reference and measurement optical paths. A reference light (TM mode) is reflected by a reference reflection section 8 and transmits through the beam splitter section 5. A measurement light (TE mode) is reflected by a measurement reflection section 9 and is reflected by the beam splitter section 5.

Abstract: An optical system comprises two optical paths P1, P2, and an optical path changer for changing the optical length of the two optical paths. The optical path changer includes two phase modulators M1, M2 one coupled to each of the paths. A driving system is configured to apply power to the phase modulators to drive them in the same direction and to change the power applied to the phase modulators in opposite directions so as to change the length of each optical path in a different direction. As a result, the relationship between the changes in the power applied to the phase modulators and the resulting changes in the phase of light beams passing through the optical system becomes substantially linear.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber-optic 2×2 switch using a dual-fiber 50:50 input coupler and a dual-fiber 50:50 output coupler. One fiber from each coupler makes contact to an inner transparent electrode on a planar layer of electro-optic material and the other fibers make contact to an outer transparent electrode on the layer. The electro-optic layer has its other side coated with a transparent electrode which is placed in optical contact with one end of a GRIN lens. The fibers are arranged so that the inner fibers are at conjugate points and the outer fibers also at conjugate points of the lens. The other end of the lens is coated with a mirror. Applying a voltage between either the inner or outer electrode changes the optical path length for the light from and to the fibers traveling through the material under the selected electrode causing the light from the two input fibers to be switched between the two output fibers. 2×N switches can be constructed by concatenating 2×2 switches.

Abstract: An optical waveguide element includes a substrate showing electrooptical effects and having a pair of major planes opposed with each other, an optical waveguide formed on one major plane of the substrate, and an electrode for applying a modulation signal to an optical wave transmitted through the optical waveguide. In the optical waveguide element mentioned above, there are a thin thickness portion having a relatively thin thickness formed to a portion of said substrate at least positioned correspondingly to said electrode; and a buffer layer formed between said substrate and said electrode, wherein an impedance conformity with the modulation signal applied to said electrode is performed by controlling a thickness of said thin thickness portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electro-optically active waveguide segments, and more particularly to the use of a selective voltage input to control the phase, frequency and/or amplitude of a propagating wave in the waveguide. Particular device structures and methods of manufacturing are described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an opto-electric module, comprising a printed circuit board (L) which as an electrical interface has a number of plug-in contacts (SK) running parallel in the area of a first face for directly plugging the module into an assembly. As an optical interface, said printed circuit board is also connected to an optical element (OE) in the area of a second face. The component side and the back of said printed circuit board are also covered at least partly by a housing part (GK, KK).

Abstract: An optical waveguide device includes a substrate having a pair of opposed main planes, an optical waveguide formed on one of the opposed main planes, and an electrode portion, wherein a thickness of a portion of the substrate at at least a location where the electrode portion is formed is made smaller than at a remainder thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical component based on semi-conductor optical amplifiers in which the number of independent electrodes is reduced. The component has different regions (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) with the same vertical structure wherein an active waveguide (20) is buried between the upper and lower buffer layers. These regions each have lower and upper electrodes (10, E2, E4) for the purpose of injecting into them equal or different values of current density. This component is characterized in that at least one (10) of the said electrodes covers a number of regions (1, 3, 5) and has distributed resistivity which is adjusted depending on the region under consideration.

Abstract: An object is to realize optical signal transmitter-receiver module with high transmitting power and high receiving sensitivity at a low cost. The optical signal transmitter-receiver module 60 includes a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) 61 and a transmitter-receiver circuit. The PLC 61 is made up with a Si substrate 62, a laser diode (LD) 6 generating the optical signal Pt, and a photodiode (PD)7 receiving the optical signal Pr. Both LD 6 and PD 7 are arranged on the Si substrate 62. The LD6 is arranged such that its front face is located in the vicinity of an optical fiber 64. The LD 6 has an optical waveguide layer that is composed of an active layer generating the optical signal Pt and a clad layer functioning as a transparent layer to the optical signal Pr. The PD 7 is arranged such that its front face is located in the vicinity of the backside face of the LD 6 and receives the optical signal Pr having passed through the optical waveguide layer of the LD 6.