Abstract: A stream of wavelength division multiplexed optical signals can be converted into the electrical domain and processed electrically to discriminate the information on each optical signal. An optical medium can transmit multiple optical communication signals, each having a different wavelength and each imprinted with different information. Detectors can receive the optical communication signals, with each detector receiving some of each communication signal. Thus, any one of the detectors can output an electrical signal according to a composite of multiple optical communication signals. Accordingly, each output electrical signal can include features or energy of each of the optical communication signals. An electrical circuit can process the electrical signals output by the detectors.

Abstract: A robustly stabilized communication laser can output a multimode optical signal remaining aligned to a coordinate of a dense wavelength division multiplexing (“DWDM”) grid while responding to a fluctuating condition or random event, such as, without limitation, exposure to a temperature fluctuation, stray light, or contamination. Responsive to the fluctuating condition, energy can transfer among individual modes in a plurality of aligned longitudinal modes. Modes shifting towards a state of misalignment with the DWDM coordinate can attenuate, while modes shifting towards a state of alignment can gain energy. Fabrication processes and systems and light management, such as beam steering, epoxy scaffolds, spectral adjustments, mode matching, thermal expansion control, alignment technology, etc. can facilitate nano-scale control of device parameters and can support low-cost fabrication.

Abstract: An optical waveguide can transmit multiple optical signals imprinted or encoded with different information, thereby increasing the waveguide's information carrying capability or bandwidth. Each optical signal can comprise multiple longitudinal modes that are energized and that are modulated substantially in unison. Thus, the photonic energy of each optical signal can be spread across a wavelength region in a substantially discrete or substantially discontinuous pattern. The respective wavelength regions of the optical signals can overlap or substantially overlay one another. Modes of one of the optical signals can be substantially interleaved, interspersed, or intermingled with modes of other optical signals. Systems at ends of the optical waveguide can feed the optical signals onto and off of the optical waveguide and discriminate the optical signals from one another. The systems can comprise ring resonators. The waveguide can support an on-chip network, such as for a multicore processor of a computer.

Abstract: An optical thin film can have a refractive index variation along a dimension that is perpendicular to its thickness. Two areas that have equal physical thicknesses can have different optical thicknesses. Including the thin film as a layer in a thin film optical filter can provide a corresponding variation in the filter's spectral properties. Dosing an optical thin film with ultraviolet light can cause the refractive index variation. Subjecting the film to hydrogen can increase the refractive index's response to the dose of light. Dosing a region of a thin film optical filter with ultraviolet light can change the spectral properties of the region, for example shifting an out-of-specification optical filter into specification thereby increasing manufacturing yield. An agent can promote the film's response to the dose.

Abstract: A fiber optic link connection system facilitates connection between two arrays of optical fibers. Two female-type connector plugs, each attached to a respective end of two fiber optic arrays, are inserted into the open ends of a connector guide sleeve. Two guide pins are captured by intrusions within the guide sleeve in order to mate with and align the two plugs. Guide capture pins and associated springs are disposed within the guide pin intrusions to capture the guide pins. Such an arrangement not only protects the guide pins from damage, but also promotes connector compatibility.

Abstract: An optical material can be formed by creating extremely small voids or gas-filled bubbles in a polymeric material, such as a thermoplastic or a fluoropolymer. The voids or gas-filled bubbles can reduce the refractive index of the optical material substantially below the polymeric material's refractive index. Dimensionally, the voids or gas-filled bubbles can be smaller than the wavelength of light that is intended to interact with the optical material, thereby avoiding undue scattering loss. The voids or gas-filled bubbles can be formed via adding particles of gas-generating material to the polymeric material and heating the resulting composition. The voids or gas-filled bubbles can form as the heat causes the polymeric material to melt and the particles to generate gas. The optical material can be utilized as a cladding to provide a high numerical aperture optical fiber, for example.

Abstract: An optical communication device, such as a transceiver, can send outgoing information over an optical link and receive incoming information via the link. The link, for example an optical fiber, can simultaneously transmit outgoing light carrying outgoing information and incoming light carrying incoming information. The communication device can comprise a detector outputting electrical signals in response to receiving optical signals, effectively converting signals from the optical domain to the electrical domain. The detector can receive a mixture of the incoming and the outgoing light, thereby producing an electrical signal containing imprints of both the incoming data and the outgoing data. The communication device can process the electrical signal to differentiate between the incoming data and the outgoing data.

Abstract: An interface between two different optical materials can comprise a stack of thin film layers that manage light incident on that interface. One of the optical materials can have a first composition and a first refractive index, while the other optical material can have a second composition and a second refractive index. The stack can comprise thin film layers of the first optical material interleaved between thin film layers of the second optical material. The layers of the stack can be configured to provide the stack with an aggregate composition of at least one of the optical materials that progressively varies from one end of the stack to the other end. To provide the progressive variation in composition, the layers of one of the optical materials can have a progressively increased thickness across the stack, or can progressively increase in number, for example.

Abstract: Two or more lasers or other temperature sensitive optical devices can be disposed in an operating environment, for example in a common enclosure exposed to the environment. The environment can have a temperature that fluctuates, for example in connection with random events, weather, seasons, etc. Each laser's temperature can track the temperature of the environment in steps, with each laser following a distinct temperature track. The lasers can alternate outputting light into a wavelength division multiplexing channel. For example, during one timeframe, one laser can provide an optical communication signal having a wavelength complying with a wavelength division multiplexing criterion. During another timeframe, the other laser can provide an optical signal having substantially the same wavelength. Operating a laser at an elevated temperature can shorten laser lifetime.

Abstract: A lasing cavity can provide a substantial portion of a path over which data, messages, communication signals, or other information travels from a sender to a recipient. The lasing cavity can support light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. The sender can be coupled to an input port of the lasing cavity, while the recipient can be coupled to an output port of the lasing cavity. The sender can input information at the input port via applying energy to the lasing cavity, removing energy from the lasing cavity, perturbing the lasing cavity, lengthening the lasing cavity, shortening the lasing cavity, or otherwise inducing a cavity change or a dynamic response. The recipient can receive the information via monitoring the lasing cavity at the output port for changes or responses caused by the sender at the input port.

Abstract: An optical waveguide can transmit multiple optical signals imprinted or encoded with different information, thereby increasing the waveguide's information carrying capability or bandwidth. Each optical signal can comprise multiple longitudinal modes that are energized and that are modulated substantially in unison. Thus, the photonic energy of each optical signal can be spread across a wavelength region in a substantially discrete or substantially discontinuous pattern. The respective wavelength regions of the optical signals can overlap or substantially overlay one another. Modes of one of the optical signals can be substantially interleaved, interspersed, or intermingled with modes of other optical signals. Systems at ends of the optical waveguide can feed the optical signals onto and off of the optical waveguide and discriminate the optical signals from one another. The systems can comprise ring resonators. The waveguide can support an on-chip network, such as for a multicore processor of a computer.

Abstract: A robustly stabilized communication laser can output a multimode optical signal remaining aligned to a coordinate of a dense wavelength division multiplexing (“DWDM”) grid while responding to a fluctuating condition or random event, such as, without limitation, exposure to a temperature fluctuation, stray light, or contamination. Responsive to the fluctuating condition, energy can transfer among individual modes in a plurality of aligned longitudinal modes. Modes shifting towards a state of misalignment with the DWDM coordinate can attenuate, while modes shifting towards a state of alignment can gain energy. Fabrication processes and systems and light management, such as beam steering, epoxy scaffolds, spectral adjustments, mode matching, thermal expansion control, alignment technology, etc. can facilitate nano-scale control of device parameters and can support low-cost fabrication.

Abstract: An interface between two different optical materials can comprise a stack of thin film layers that manage light incident on that interface. One of the optical materials can have a first composition and a first refractive index, while the other optical material can have a second composition and a second refractive index. The stack can comprise thin film layers of the first optical material interleaved between thin film layers of the second optical material. The layers of the stack can be configured to provide the stack with an aggregate composition of at least one of the optical materials that progressively varies from one end of the stack to the other end. To provide the progressive variation in composition, the layers of one of the optical materials can have a progressively increased thickness across the stack, or can progressively increase in number, for example.

Abstract: A micro identification system supports facile optical assemblies and components. A segment of optical fiber can comprise an identifier formed via actinic radiation. The identifier can generate a laser interference pattern that can be read through a cylindrical surface of the optical fiber to determine a code. Modified optical fibers are those fibers that have been shaped or coated to an extent beyond the demands of normal communications optical fibers. In one example, modified fibers are no longer than about two feet in length. For another example, the modified fibers can have either a non-cylindrical end face, a non flat end face, an end face the plane of which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide, an end face coated with high density filter, or an identifier on or near an end face.

Abstract: Optical waveguides can extend alongside one another in sufficient proximity such that light couples between or among them as crosstalk. The electromagnetic field associated with light flowing in one optical waveguide can extend to an adjacent optical waveguide and induce unwanted light flow. The optical waveguide receiving the crosstalk can comprise a phase shifting capability, such as a longitudinal variation in refractive index, situated between two waveguide lengths. Crosstalk coupled onto the first waveguide length can flow through the refractive index variation, be phase shifted, and then flow onto the second waveguide length. The phase shifted crosstalk flowing on the second waveguide can meet other crosstalk that has coupled directly onto the second waveguide segment. The phase difference between the two crosstalks can suppress crosstalk via destructive interference.

Abstract: A micro identification system supports facile optical assemblies and components. A segment of optical fiber can comprise an identifier formed via actinic radiation. The identifier can generate a laser interference pattern that can be read through a cylindrical surface of the optical fiber to determine a code. Modified optical fibers are those fibers that have been shaped or coated to an extent beyond the demands of normal communications optical fibers. In one example, modified fibers are no longer than about two feet in length. For another example, the modified fibers can have either a non-cylindrical end face, a non flat end face, an end face the plane of which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide, an end face coated with high density filter, or an identifier on or near an end face.

Abstract: Light escaping from an optical path, for example via Raman or Rayleigh scattering, can provide information about how light flows in the path or about the optical path. The path can be a waveguide, an optical channel, or a fiber that may be attached to or integrated with a substrate, for example in a passive or active planar lightguide/lightwave circuit, photonic integrated circuit, semiconductor laser, or optoelectronic element. The escaped light can be color-shifted with respect to the primary light flowing along the path. The escaped light can leave the path at an angle that facilitates detection. Processing or analyzing the scattered light, for example with support of a computing device, can help evaluate the path and/or assess a light intensity pattern thereof, for example to aid design, engineering, testing, qualification, troubleshooting, inspection, manufacturing, etc.

Abstract: An interface between two different optical materials can comprise a stack of thin film layers that manage light incident on that interface. One of the optical materials can have a first composition and a first refractive index, while the other optical material can have a second composition and a second refractive index. The stack can comprise thin film layers of the first optical material interleaved between thin film layers of the second optical material. The layers of the stack can be configured to provide the stack with an aggregate composition of at least one of the optical materials that progressively varies from one end of the stack to the other end. To provide the progressive variation in composition, the layers of one of the optical materials can have a progressively increased thickness across the stack, or can progressively increase in number, for example.

Abstract: A robustly stabilized communication laser can output a multimode optical signal remaining aligned to a coordinate of a dense wavelength division multiplexing (“DWDM”) grid while responding to a fluctuating condition or random event, such as, without limitation, exposure to a temperature fluctuation, stray light, or contamination. Responsive to the fluctuating condition, energy can transfer among individual modes in a plurality of aligned longitudinal modes. Modes shifting towards a state of misalignment with the DWDM coordinate can attenuate, while modes shifting towards a state of alignment can gain energy. Fabrication processes and systems and light management, such as beam steering, epoxy scaffolds, spectral adjustments, mode matching, thermal expansion control, alignment technology, etc. can facilitate nano-scale control of device parameters and can support low-cost fabrication.

Abstract: An optical thin film can have a refractive index variation along a dimension that is perpendicular to its thickness. Two areas that have equal physical thicknesses can have different optical thicknesses. Including the thin film as a layer in a thin film optical filter can provide a corresponding variation in the filter's spectral properties. Dosing an optical thin film with ultraviolet light can cause the refractive index variation. Subjecting the film to hydrogen can increase the refractive index's response to the dose of light. Dosing a region of a thin film optical filter with ultraviolet light can change the spectral properties of the region, for example shifting an out-of-specification optical filter into specification thereby increasing manufacturing yield. An agent can promote the film's response to the dose.