Abstract: An optical device used as an optical switch or bistable device, with surface plasmons, is comprised of a semiconductor base material forming a non-linear dielectric layer along with a metal layer, with an interface between the metal and semiconductor layers including a submicron grating. The device is optically excited from a light source of given intensity. In accordance with the invention, dispersion relation of surface plasmons may be changed by varying the intensity of an input laser so as to provide bistable or hysteresis effect switching. The concepts of the invention may be implemented in either an unadorned device as set forth, or may be fabricated in an optical waveguide.

Abstract: A device for efficiently coupling electromagnetic radiation in the far-infrared and submillimeter microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum to surface electromagnetic waves comprising a base metal substrate formed by producing periodic alternating areas thereof in which the dielectric constants differ so as to provide periodic field modulation to, in turn, enhance coupling between the surface plasmons and free photons at the proper coupling angles. The different dielectric constant areas may be formed by selective overplating or evaporating or may alternately be formed by the selective processing of a uniformly deposited material such as by annealing of an amorphous material in strips. In an alternate embodiment of the invention the periodic modulation of the dielectric constant is of the overcoat material rather than the base metal substrate.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer provides for arbitrarily closely spaced wavelength channels, the spacing and locations thereof being determined by the thickness of birefringent crystals such as, for example, quartz. Such a device can also be used for duplexing bidirectional signals. Methods for mechanically tuning the devices to given laser wavelengths are described, as well as simplified constructions which can be used with polarized light sources such as lasers.

Abstract: A device for efficiently coupling electromagnetic radiation in the far-infrared and submillimeter spectral regions to surface plasmon waves comprises a prism constructed of a dielectric material, a first layer integrally formed on one face of the prism having an index of refraction which is less than the index of refraction of the prism, and a second overcoat layer formed integrally on the first layer and having an index of refraction which is greater than the index of refraction of the first layer.

Abstract: A low noise optical receiver utilizes a novel amplifier as the open loop gain element. The amplifier provides for lower noise performance over that of commercial receivers, thus allowing longer fiber optic communication links.

Abstract: An optical waveguide coupling device which can perform switching functions by changing input light intensity, and associated method of construction thereof, in which the device comprises a base substrate etched to provide an optical grating having a predetermined grating period and amplitude. A thin metal film is deposited on the grating. Subsequently, a polymer film is deposited over the thin metal film, thus forming an optical waveguide. The field for the waveguide mode is nearly zero at the metal-polymer film interface, thus eliminating the loss of energy in the thin metal film. The metal film, in essence, reflects the input beam so that substantially no energy is lost via transmission through the thin metal film and thus all available energy is for coupling into the waveguide mode.

Abstract: A precision molded elastomeric optical fiber holder, for holding an optical fiber of a first diameter, comprises a molded cylindrical piece of elastic material having an axial hole of a second diameter from one end of the piece to another end thereof. The hole is tapered to a third diameter near one only of the ends. The third diameter is greater than each of the first and second diameters. Prior to insertion of the fiber, the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.

Abstract: A capacitor array for a companded pulse code modulation voice codec includes a first plurality of capacitors having a common capacitance C each. A plurality of switching means individually and selectively couple one plate of each of the capacitors to a first point of reference potential or to a second point of reference potential. A second plurality of capacitors has a common capacitance 2C, each, which is coupled in series to form a plurality of junctions, each of the junctions being coupled to a separate one of second plates of the first plurality of capacitors.

Abstract: A nondestructive optical test set-up for measurement of critical parameters of expanded beam connectors which does not require the insertion of fibers into the connector or contact to any critical surface. The method is independent of fiber preparation techniques, assembly procedure, and connector housing accuracy.

Abstract: A bending tool for semi-rigid coaxial cable makes bends possible with minimal damage to the cable. The tool contains two separate and independent series of superimposed cylindrical portions of gradually diminishing diameters along a linear path, oppositely directed away from a central support portion. Each of the cylindrical portions of one series is formed with a circumferential groove of like width and depth. Each of the cylindrical portions of the second series is formed with a circumferential groove of like width and like depth, but different from that of the one series.

Abstract: Polarization-insensitive optical switch and dual channel carrier multiplexer includes a polarization beam splitter for receiving an input collimated beam which has arbitrarily polarized components, splitting the beam into the two components. One of the components is rotated by a 1/2 wave plate so as to yield a polarized beam which is polarized in the same direction as the other beam. The two polarized beams are then applied to a polarization sensitive interferometric multimode fiber optic switch and modulator. The output of the interferometric multimode fiber optic switch and modulator contains two beams, both polarized in the same direction. One of the beams is rotated ninety degrees by a 1/2 wave plate, and the two mutually perpendicularly polarized beams are then recombined by a polarization beam splitter operated in reverse to yield an output beam containing mutually perpendicular components.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength optical demultiplexer includes at least three relatively thick layers of direct band gap semiconductor material deposited on a substrate. The various thick layers are separated by respective, individual, relatively thin layers of lattice matched material having a larger band gap than the materials in the thick layers. The thin layers, deposited on the thick layers, serve as a potential barrier to prevent photo-electrons generated in one layer from entering another. Ohmic contacts of donor impurity diffusion are provided at opposite ends of each relatively thick layer. With a substrate of gallium arsenide, the relatively thick layers can be aluminum gallium arsenide of varying compositions, in which the proportions of aluminum to gallium decreases from the layer distal to the substrate to the layer proximal to the substrate.

Abstract: A pair of fixed capacitors are connected across a pair of serially coupled switched capacitors, the junction of the fixed capacitors being coupled to the floating node of the switched capacitors. As the polarities of the switched capacitors are switched, the fixed capacitors cause a partial discharge, thereby preventing charge from accumulating on the node.

Abstract: Fruit set in crops can be increased with repeated exposures of the crops with light during the night times.More particularly, light at 660 nm can be administered for periods of 1 to 240 minutes daily, during the night times, from bloom time for the crop (or prior thereto) to early fruit development for the crop, for time spans from 30 to 50 days.Crops include apples (e.g., "Red Delicious"), almonds (e.g., "Nonpareil" and "Merced"), pistachios, soybean, calamondin, grapes, oranges, and cotton.Light can be obtained from a light source selected from the group consisting of fluorescent light source and high intensity discharge-lithium filled metal halide light source having an intensity range 1 .mu.W/cm.sup.2 to 400 .mu.W/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Interferometric multimode fiber optic switches and modulators include combinations of various components. Two electro-optical crystals have a dielectric beam splitting coating affixed to portions thereof. The coated portions of the two crystals are juxtaposed. Means are provided for varying indices of refraction of the two crystals with respect to each other. Light entering into the first crystal and traveling within the two crystals can be switched to selectively exit from one crystal or from the other by varying the index of refraction of one of the crystals with respect to that of the other. By interferometric principle of operation, the phase relation of light is transformed into spatial direction. The crystals can be selected from the group consisting of lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, and barium strontium niobate. The dielectric beam splitting coating can be formed of multiple layers of material such as zirconium oxide and silicon dioxide.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying film coatings of material to electrical component bodies having axial leads includes adhesive tape for supporting the components in spaced relationship. A supply reel carries a supported plurality of such components. A shaft has a circumferential row of transversely oriented pockets for receiving component bodies whereby their leads are parallel. The shaft is oriented with respect to a lower reservoir providing liquid polyurethane, so that, as it rotates, sequential pockets pass through the liquid material, retaining menisci thereof therewithin. As the component bodies are received by the menisci retained pockets, underside portions of the components are coated with liquid material. A brush applies liquid material from a upper reservoir to upper portions of the carried bodies. The brush smooths the upper portions to avoid formation of globs or blobs thereon.

Abstract: A corrugated nonlinear optical waveguide converts a continuous input light beam into a train of pulses. The waveguide material is indium antimonide (InSb).

Abstract: Polarization-insensitive optical switch and dual channel carrier multiplexer includes a polarization beam splitter for receiving an input collimated beam which has arbitrarily polarized components, splitting the beam into the two components. One of the components is rotated by a 1/2 wave plate so as to yield a polarized beam which is polarized in the same direction as the other beam. The two polarized beams are then applied to a polarization sensitive interferometric multimode fiber optic switch and modulator. The output of the interferometric multimode fiber optic switch and modulator contains two beams, both polarized in the same direction. One of the beams is rotated ninety degrees by a 1/2 wave plate, and the two mutually perpendicularly polarized beams are then recombined by a polarization beam splitter operated in reverse to yield an output beam containing mutually perpendicular components.

Abstract: Polarization-insensitive optical switch and dual channel carrier multiplexer includes a polarization beam splitter for receiving an input collimated beam which has arbitrarily polarized components, splitting the beam into the two components. One of the components is rotated by a 1/2 wave plate so as to yield a polarized beam which is polarized in the same direction as the other beam. The two polarized beams are then applied to a polarization sensitive interferometric multimode fiber optic switch and modulator. The output of the interferometric multimode fiber optic switch and modulator contains two beams, both polarized in the same direction. One of the beams is rotated ninety degrees by a 1/2 wave plate, and the two mutually perpendicularly polarized beams are then recombined by a polarization beam splitter operated in reverse to yield an output beam containing mutually perpendicular components.

Abstract: Synchronization apparatus and method for maintaining synchronization between a binary encoded signal and a timing signal generated in the apparatus and employed in processing the binary encoded signal. The synchronization apparatus includes an up/down binary counter operative to sample the binary encoded signal at a predetermined rate and to count upwardly for each sample of the binary encoded signal having the first logic value and to count downwardly for each sample of the binary encoded signal having the second logic value. A timing signal generated within the synchronization apparatus and including a plurality of pairs of timing pulses is employed to ascertain the values of the counts in the up/down counter at the times of each pair of timing pulses. The values of these counts are examined over a period of several (e.g., 8) pairs of the timing pulses to determine whether the binary encoded signal is in synchronism with, leads, or lags the timing signal.