Abstract: A method and system is disclosed of characterizing an optical amplifier for operation with a required tilt or curvature within predetermined limits. As the temperature of the erbium-doped optical amplifier is varied while a test signal is launched into the amplifier accompanied by a pump signal the output spectrum is compared with a desired spectrum. At different temperatures different measures of tilt or curvature are present at the output port of the amplifier in the presence of an input signal at the input port. Feedback related to the measure of tilt or curvature of at least one of the plurality of different temperatures is provided in the form of a feedback signal or an information signal.

Abstract: A laser tool is designed to indicate and align measurements, preferably holes to be drilled for hangers that support plumbing and electrical piping, without the need for the use of a tape measure. The laser tool contains an angled base with magnets that allow the tool to remain steady on a pipe. Also included in the base is a bubble level, indicating and allowing the user to balance the tool in relation to the pipe. The laser of the tool is connected to the base by means of a swivel device, so that the user is capable of moving the laser at an angle to obtain additional measurements that are level and aligned with the original measurement for a hole.

Abstract: This invention relates to invention relates to a variable slope optical filter in the form of a Fabry-Perôt etalon having an end face with a variable finesse. A method for filtering and a variable slope optical filter for in-line use with an optical amplifier signal is also disclosed. The filter has a wavelength response that is substantially linear in slope within a band of operation wavelengths of the amplifier; the slope of the filter in an operating band of wavelengths is between zero and a only one of a positive or negative number; furthermore the filter has an amplitude response that has an opposite and counter slope as a function of wavelength to that of a gain tilt of the amplifier within the operation band of wavelengths. Relative movement between the filter and the optical amplifier signal is provided to vary the slope of the filter by means of varying the amplitude wavelength response of the filter.

Abstract: A virtual input device uses the acoustical signature of the user's fingers to determine which character is selected. Rows of acoustical sensors having different acoustical properties are spaced in the vertical direction. When a user touches a specific row with a particular finger a unique acoustical signature is produced. The acoustical signature is analyzed to determine the finger used, the row, and the specific action by the finger, e.g. slide, press, tap. The combinations of the row, finger and action define the character selected. The characters are associated with the combinations in such a way to provide a traditional keyboard setup. Visual feedback of the character selected is provided by a display device of the system.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor wafer cleaving method and apparatus which are used to obtain an ideal vertical cleaved plane of semiconductor wafers. A semiconductor wafer (1) having a scribing mark (2) inscribed on the surface is set on fulcrum members (6a and 6b). The fulcrum members (6a and 6b) are left-right symmetrical centering around the scribing mark (2) and parallel to the scribing mark (2). Fulcrum members (4a and 4b) are disposed left-right symmetrically centering around the scribing mark (2) and in parallel to the scribing mark (2) on the upper side of the semiconductor wafer (1). The fulcrum members (4a and 4b) are disposed outside the fulcrum members (6a and 6b). Load is applied from the fulcrum members (4a and 4b) side, wherein fulcrum forces are caused to operate from the respective fulcrum members (4a, 4b, 6a and 6b) onto the semiconductor wafer (1).

Abstract: This invention relates to invention relates to a method for filtering and a variable slope optical filter for in-line use with an optical amplifier signal. The filter has a wavelength response that is substantially linear in slope within a band of operation wavelengths of the amplifier; the slope of the filter in an operating band of wavelengths is between zero and a only one of a positive or negative number; furthermore the filter has an amplitude response that has an opposite and counter slope as a function of wavelength to that of a gain tilt of the amplifier within the operation band of wavelengths. Relative movement between the filter and the optical amplifier signal is provided to vary the slope of the filter by means of varying the amplitude wavelength response of the filter.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that is capable of operating as a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) and/or a configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (COADM) is disclosed. The optical design includes a front-end unit for providing a collimated beam of light, an element having optical power for providing collimating/focusing effects, a diffraction element for providing spatial dispersion, and modifying means which in a preferred embodiment includes one of a MEMS array and a liquid crystal array for reflecting and modifying at least a portion of a beam of light. The modifying means functions as an attenuator when the optical device operates as a DGE and as a switching array when the optical device operates as a COADM.

Abstract: Recovery of a filesystem directory structure is performed to restore it to any point in time and also to synchronize a database restore and a filesystem restore to bring the two restores to a database consistent state. A database management system (DBMS) manages external files and hierarchical directory structures to enable recovery and reconciliation of the files and filesystems, under DBMS control, after filesystem crashes. First, a database table, which recorded previous directory creations and deletions, is used to rebuild a filesystem's directory structure to any previous database state and then external file link information is used to restore files to that same state.

Abstract: A writing pad for use with a computer includes a number of sheets each having a flexure sensor affixed thereto. Circuitry connected to the sensors determines whether the sheets are lifted and removed from the pad, whereby the particular sheet currently in use may be identified. The flexure sensor system can be used in various configurations such as: a one or multiple-part checkbook systems with recognition of check writing environment, as a children's book to add sound to identified pages, as an answer sheet for testing or voting, in a clipboard configuration or to assist a speaker during a slide-show presentation. The flexure sensors include resistive structures such as carbon based goo, transducers, conductive inks, strain gauges, patterned dissolved graphite, embossed sensors or other pressure/flexure sensors or equivalents thereof.

Abstract: An optical amplifier having a suitable length of Er/Yb co-doped double clad optical fiber is used to amplify an input optical signal. The inner clad of the double clad optical fiber supports the propagation of a multi mode signal used to excite Er/Yb co-dopants in the double clad optical fiber. Simultaneously, a single mode signal launched from a single mode laser pump co-propagates with the input optical signal in the core of the optical fiber. In this model, single mode light travels in the single mode core region and the multi mode pump light is mainly in the clad region. The interaction between the two laser pumps is negligible.

Abstract: In a prior art multiple-fiber optical connector, it was difficult to easily and securely insert and mount a plurality of optical fibers led out from the multiple-fiber optical fiber ribbon. Further, in such a prior art multiple-fiber optical connector, it was not possible to prevent a transmission loss from being generated due to local deformation of optical fibers, which is produced in mounting optical fibers, and a connection loss from being generated due to hardening and contraction of an adhesive agent, which are in the final assembling process. In order to solve such problems, a structure of an optical connector was designed as shown below; That is, a tapered portion (3) is provided in a fiber ribbon insertion hole (2) in order to narrow the width thereof, and the tip end (33) of a sheathed portion of a multiple-fiber optical fiber ribbon (31) is engaged in and stopped in the intermediate portion (8) of the tapered portion (3), whereby the insertion position is determined.

Abstract: A surface color code book is used to allow region localization and recognition within images without the need for pre-segmentation of the image. Pixels in an image are first mapped into an optimal color space and assigned a closest color label from the surface color code book. Clusters of adjacent pixels having a similar color label are then tentatively grouped to form a region. These tentative regions are then projected into the optimal color space and a descriptor is formulated for each re-projected cluster. Each descriptor is compared against the color codes in the color code book to determine if the initially assigned color label was correct; if correct, then that region receives both a color label from the color code book and a region identifier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispersion compensating optical fiber which is connected to an optical fiber having a positive dispersion value at wavelength band of 1.55 &mgr;m and concurrently has a function of compensating dispersion of optical fibers having a positive dispersion value and a function acting as an optical transmission line, and relates to a wavelength division multiplexing optical transmission line using the dispersion compensating optical fiber. The refractive index profile of the dispersion compensating optical fiber is determined to be W-shaped. 1.0%≦&Dgr;1≦1.4% and −0.45≦&Dgr;2/&Dgr;1≦−0.285 are established where the relative refractive index difference of said center core (1) with respect to said cladding (3) is &Dgr;1, and the relative refractive index difference of said side core (2) with respect to said cladding (3) is &Dgr;2, and further 0.4≦Ra≦0.

Abstract: The invention provides improved optical devices, systems, and methods for controllably varying an optical characteristic of an optical signal, particularly for filtering and generating optical signals about a narrow tunable central wavelength. Thin film multi-cavity Fabry-Perot bandpass filters have film thicknesses which vary so as to vary the center wavelength of the filter's pass range. Novel micro lenses and lens arrangements avoid transmission of optical signals through a large area of the optical filter, which would widen the effective pass bandwidth and reduce coupling efficiency. These bandpass filtering techniques can be used in an external cavity laser system to provide a tunable laser source.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a microwave heated chemical process is disclosed. Time varying concentrations of some chemical substances within fumes in the microwave oven are monitored to detect concentration variations for which responses are known. Responses to the detected variations are initiated to control the chemical process without terminating the process. Examples of responses include varying microwave radiation energy, initiating safety systems, increased venting of the microwave oven, and so forth.

Abstract: The invention provides a chip for separating light into different wavelengths. The chip includes a substrate, an input waveguide, an optical arrangement, and a plurality of output waveguides. The substrate has first and second edge sections. The input waveguide is formed on the substrate and has an end for providing light thereto located at the first edge section. The input waveguide extends from the first end thereof in a first direction. The optical arrangement receives the light from the input waveguide and separates the light into a pattern of light of different wavelengths. The output waveguides are formed on the substrate. Each output waveguide receives light of a respective wavelength from the optical arrangement and transmits the light. Each output waveguide has an end, from which the light is transmitted, located at the second edge section. Each output waveguide extends to the second end thereof in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction.

Abstract: An optical circulator having a dual fiber collimator and a single fiber collimator is described. The circulator provides a non-reciprocal functionality that directs input signals from a first fiber of the dual fiber collimator to the single fiber collimator. Input signals from the single fiber collimator are directed to a second fiber of the dual fiber collimator. The circulator includes birefringent wedges that change the angle of signals from the single fiber collimator to direct the signals to the second fiber of the dual fiber collimator. Because the circulator includes two collimators rather than three collimators, the circulator is more compact than a circulator having three collimators.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical fiber management device that allows optical fiber to be placed in very restricted areas such as small modules. This device also provides an embedded conduit system that prevents the optical fibers from over bending and inhibits optical transmission. Moreover, the device of the present invention allows free movement of the optical fibers therethrough, if necessary. The result is a flexible and useful way to manage the location of the optical fibers and facilitate the connection of optical adapters.

Abstract: A method of attaching a component onto a microbench includes laying the component in a groove in the substrate, and locally deforming a portion of the groove, to thereby hold the component in the groove. Preferably, the microbench is a silicon substrate used for MEMs-type structures in the fiber optics industry. In particular, the method is used for securing an optical fiber in a groove, DRI etched from a silicon substrate, before or after the fiber is aligned with other optical components, i.e. lenses, lasers etc. The local deformation is done using a laser welding device selected to be effective in locally melting the substrate while leaving the component relatively undamaged.

Abstract: An optical system for coupling light from a monolithic waveguide chip from one optical path to another on different layers of the chip or into or out of the chip along an edge thereof by coupling a GRIN lens to the edge. Coupling a GRIN lens having a reflective end allows light to be launched out of and back into the waveguide chip. Alternatively a GRIN lens having a plurality of fibers coupled thereto can be used to couple signals carried by the fibers into the waveguide chip.