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: 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 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: 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: The invention provides an optical system for use in a stable, temperature-insensitive birefringent crystal interferometer (BCI). The optical system includes a first block of light transmissive birefringent material having an input port and an output port, the material having in the spectral region of desired device operation a net retardance at a first temperature, and straining means for inducing a strain in one of the first block and a second block of light transmissive material optically coupled to the first block, the strain induced for maintaining the net retardance substantially unchanged from the net retardance at least a second other temperature. Advantageously, the optical system uses a single variety of crystal, which is cheaper, more robust, and has better performance than BCIs having two crystal varieties.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical wavelength multiplexing and dividing device of an array waveguide type diffraction lattice, which is capable of separating and picking up wavelength-multiplexed signals of various wavelengths, which are used in optical transmissions. An input side slab waveguide (3), a plurality of juxtaposed array waveguides (4), an output side slab waveguide (5) and a plurality of optical output waveguides (6) are connected, in order, to the outgoing sides of a plurality of optical input waveguides (2), thereby forming a waveguide pattern. The array waveguides (4) are formed so as to have lengths different from each other to cause the phases of individual lights to be deviated after propagating through the respective array type waveguides (4), wherein different lights as per wavelength are condensed at the incident ends (7) of optical output waveguides 6 by passing through the output side slab waveguides (5) and are outputted through the optical output waveguides (6).

Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized optical wavelength multiplexed transmission module with suppressed noise, without increasing the size of the chip, wherein an optical filter (20) which interrupts light of a specified wavelength area other than the wavelength used for wavelength multiplexed transmissions is connected to an optical input waveguide side (11) of an arrayed waveguide type optical wavelength synthesizing and dividing device (10). Since the optical filter (20) can interrupt noise wavelength components, light passed through and divided by the arrayed waveguide optical wavelength synthesizing and dividing device (10) can become signal light of the use wavelength free from noise.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an optical waveguide component comprising a substrate, a core-matching refractive index lower cladding layer, a core layer, a core-matching refractive index upper cladding layer, a low refractive index upper cladding, wherein the core-matching refractive index lower cladding layer is deposited directly onto the substrate and has a thickness sufficient to avoid substantial capture and/or absorption by the substrate of a guided mode in the core layer, whereas slab modes, quasi-guided modes and/scattered light leak to the substrate. The components according to the invention allow high switching speeds and high confinement of a guided mode on the one hand and, on the other hand, absorption by the substrate of stray-light and radiation modes, which, in turn, leads to improved optical devices, such as optical switches with improved isolation.

Abstract: Apparatus for modifying the optical characteristics of an optical fiber by controlled stretching of a length of the fiber, comprising a first fiber holder fixedly carried by a base and capable of firmly holding a first portion of the optical fiber, a lever part attached to the base at a fulcrum, and second fiber holder movably connected to the lever part and capable of firmly holding a second portion of the fiber, so that an intermediate length of fiber may be held taut between said first and second holding means. An electromagnetic circuit moves the lever part between first and second predetermined positions, so that the intermediate length of fiber is stretched as the lever part moves between first and second positions. Preferably, the intermediate length of fiber includes a Bragg grating.

Abstract: A thermo-optical device to alter the direction and/or intensity of a light beam is described. In the thermo-optical device, a first material in contact with a second material defines an interface therebetween. The first and second materials have disparate thermo-optical coefficients such that, at a first temperature, the refractive indices of the two materials are the same and, at a second temperature, the refractive index of one material is less than the refractive index of the other material. At the first temperature, when the two refractive indices are equal, a light beam incident on the interface is transmitted through the interface without refraction. At the second temperature, the light beam propagating through one of the material, if incident on the interface at an appropriate angle, will be reflected off, instead of transmitted through, the interface.