Abstract: A method for making a chirped grating device capable of a broad bandwith for optical communication systems is disclosed. An intrinsically-chirped optical grating is externally strained to alter the range of chirping. The external strain may be induced by a gradient-generating body bonded onto the length of the fiber grating that may be latchably strained so that the grating characteristics may be changed or tuned while avoiding use of a continuous power supply. Various optical networking applications using such dispersion compensating devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article comprising a molded circuit for providing a path for electrical current is disclosed. The molded circuit is formed of a first material layer and a second material layer. The first material layer is an electrically insulating material. The second material layer is an electrically conductive material. In an alternate embodiment, the second material layer is surrounded between two layers of the first material layer. The molded circuit can be formed using multi-material injection molding such as co-injection molding or two-shot injection molding. A printed circuit board can comprise the molded circuit.

Abstract: A method for measurement of axial forces acting on a shaft, being supplied with gas under overpressure such that gas pressure is built up between two opposing faces of said portion projecting radially from the shaft and at least one gas-permeable body provided external to said faces. A gas differential between the gas pressure on said opposing faces is established, and the axial force acting on said shaft is determined as a product of a constant and the pressure differential between the gas pressures on the two faces. Means are provided for supply of gas under overpressure to said body and pressure measuring means are provided for measurement of the pressure differential between the pressures on the two faces of the radially projecting portion. The protruding portion may also constitute a measuring plate which, provided in various manners, is subjected to forces.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, arrays optical sources are combined in a multilevel planar optical waveguide structure for insertion into an optical fiber laser. The basic element of the combiner is a planar array of multiple waveguides which converge and are gradually tapered to a single output waveguide. A plurality of such elements integrally formed on successive cladding layers provides a high power stack of vertically aligned outputs. An arrangement is described for using such apparatus in the amplification of optical communications signals.