Abstract: A wavelength locker for use at more than one wavelength includes filters with different characteristics for a corresponding detector. The filters may be etalons having different free spectral ranges, e.g., having different apparent or real thicknesses. If more than three such filters are used outputting offset periodic signals, a reference detector may be eliminated and continuous operation over a wavelength range may be realized.

Abstract: A wavelength locker for use at more than one wavelength includes filters with different characteristics for a corresponding detector. The filters may be etalons having different free spectral ranges, e.g., having different apparent or real thicknesses. If more than three such filters are used outputting offset periodic signals, a reference detector may be eliminated and continuous operation over a wavelength range may be realized.

Abstract: A sub-wavelength anti-reflective diffractive structure is incorporated with a base diffractive structure having a small period to form a high efficiency diffractive structure. In the high efficiency diffractive structure, the anti-reflective structure and/or the base diffractive structure are altered from their ideal solo structure to provide both the desired performance and minimize reflections.

Abstract: An optical transceiver includes at least one light source and at least one detector mounted on the same surface of the same substrate. The detector is to receive light from other than a light source on the surface. At least one of the light source and the detector is mounted on the surface. An optics block having optical elements for each light source and detectors is attached via a vertical spacer to the substrate. Electrical interconnections for the light source and the detector are accessible from the same surface of the substrate with the optics block attached thereto. One of the light source and the detector may be monolithically integrated into the substrate.

Abstract: A compact interferometer includes a substrate having opposing faces and a suppression feature on one of the faces of the substrate. The suppression feature suppresses higher order reflections inside the substrate. The suppression feature may be an absorptive coating. The interferometer produces high throughput, high contrast signals when receiving light at normal or near normal incidence.

Abstract: A beam homogenizer that minimizes undesired intensity variations at the output plane caused by sharp breaks between facets in previous embodiments. The homogenizer includes a hologram made up of irregularly patterned diffractive fringes. An input beam illuminates at least part of the hologram. The hologram transmits a portion of the input beam onto an output plane. In doing so, the energy of the input beam is spatially redistributed at the output plane into a homogenized output beam having a preselected spatial energy distribution at the output plane. Thus, the illuminated portion of the output plane has a shape predetermined by the designer of the homogenizer.

Abstract: A passive optical element is transferred into a substrate already having features with a vertical dimension thereon. The features may be another passive optical element, an active optical element, a dichroic layer, a dielectric layer, alignment features, metal portions. A protective layer is provided over the feature during the transfer of the optical element. One or more of these processes may be performed on a wafer level.

Abstract: An array of micro-optical components includes at least two micro-optical components. Each micro-optical component includes a refractive surface and a corresponding compensation surface for the refractive surface. The corresponding compensation surface includes a corresponding compensation feature when the refractive surface deviates from a desired optical performance. The micro-optical component provides the desired optical performance. At least two refractive surfaces of the array of micro-optical components are formed to have substantially a same desired optical performance. The array of micro-optical components includes at least one corresponding compensation feature, at least two compensation surfaces of the array of micro-optical components being different from one another. The compensation surface may be created after measuring the refractive surface.

Abstract: A structure having an optical element thereon has a portion of the structure extending beyond a region having the optical element in at least one direction. The structure may include an active optical element, with the different dimensions of the substrates forming the structure allowing access for the electrical interconnections for the active optical elements. Different dicing techniques may be used to realize the uneven structures.

Abstract: A wavelength locker for use at more than one wavelength includes filters with different characteristics for a corresponding detector. The filters may be etalons having different free spectral ranges, e.g., having different apparent or real thicknesses. If more than three such filters are used outputting offset periodic signals, a reference detector may be eliminated and continuous operation over a wavelength range may be realized.

Abstract: An integrated micro-optical system includes at least two wafers with at least two optical elements provided on respective surfaces of the at least two wafers. An active element having a characteristic which changes in response to an applied field may be integrated on a bottom surface of the wafers. The resulting optical system may present a high numerical aperture. Preferably, one of the optical elements is a refractive element formed in a material having a high index of refraction.

Abstract: An etalon used in analyzing a wavelength of a light source includes ant etalon only in a portion of a substrate in which the etalon is integrated. Use of such an etalon in monitoring or controlling the wavelength allows the etalon to be placed in an application beam. A portion of the application beam is split into at least two beams, a first beam being directed to the etalon to monitor the wavelength, and the other beam either serving purely as a reference beam or passing through another etalon having a different optical path length than the etalon for the first beam, thereby also monitoring the wavelength. The monitor itself would include at least two photodetector, one for each of the beam split off of the input beam. Any or all substrates containing the elements for the monitor may be created on a wafer level and diced and/or bonded to other wafers containing other elements and diced.

Abstract: Integrated multiple optical elements may be formed by bonding substrates containing such optical elements together or by providing optical elements on either side of the wafer substrate. The wafer is subsequently diced to obtain the individual units themselves. The optical elements may be formed lithographically, directly, or using a lithographically generated master to emboss the elements. Alignment features facilitate the efficient production of such integrated multiple optical elements, as well as post creation processing thereof on the wafer level.

Abstract: An integrated parallel transmitter includes an array of light sources, a corresponding array of diffractive elements splitting off a portion of the beam to be monitored, a corresponding array of power monitors for respectively monitoring each light source, and an array of couplers that couples light into a corresponding waveguide. The coupler is preferably a phase-matched coupler. All of the passive optical elements are integrated onto a single substrate or a plurality of substrates that have been bonded together on a wafer level.

Abstract: An interface system includes separate optical and mechanical interfaces between opto-electronic devices and fibers. This allows each of these components to be optimized for there particular function. This also allows two surfaces to be provided for the optical interface, allowing the opto-electronic elements to be spaced further apart than the fibers. The interface system can be integrated together, used in conjunction with a conventional fiber housing, and can be surface mounted with an electrical interface.

Abstract: An interface system includes separate optical and mechanical interfaces between opto-electronic devices and fibers. This allows each of these components to be optimized for there particular function. This also allows two surfaces to be provided for the optical interface, allowing the opto-electronic elements to be spaced further apart than the fibers. The interface system can be integrated together, used in conjunction with a conventional fiber housing, and can be surface mounted with an electrical interface.

Abstract: A beam homogenizer that minimizes undesired intensity variations at the output plane caused by sharp breaks between facets in previous embodiments. The homogenizer includes a hologram made up of irregularly patterned diffractive fringes. An input beam illuminates at least part of the hologram. The hologram transmits a portion of the input beam onto an output plane. In doing so, the energy of the input beam is spatially redistributed at the output plane into a homogenized output beam having a preselected spatial energy distribution at the output plane. Thus, the illuminated portion of the output plane has a shape predetermined by the designer of the homogenizer.

Abstract: An analog controlled angle diffuser and associated methods provide a wavelength insensitive diffuser with a controlled output. The diffuser has free formed shaped analog fringes, i.e., fringes which have a continuous cross-section from their peak to their termination. Preferably, the depth of the analog fringes will be at least 2&pgr;, even more preferably at least 2O&pgr;. Advantageously, the pattern of the diffuser is computer-generated.

Abstract: An optical subassembly includes an opto-electronic device, an optics block and a spacer, separate from the optics block and providing spacing between the opto-electronic device and the optics block. The opto-electronic device, the optics block and the spacer are aligned and bonded together. This subassembly is particularly useful when coupling light between the opto-electronic device and a fiber. The optical subassembly may also include an opto-electronic device, an optics block and a sealing structure surrounding the opto-electronic device. The opto-electronic device, the optics block and the sealing structure are aligned and bonded together.

Abstract: A power monitor for a light emitter emitting from a single face creates a monitor beam by deflecting a portion of the application beam and further manipulating the monitor beam to allow more efficient use of the monitor beam. For example, the monitor beam may be collimated to allow an increase in spacing between the light emitter and a detector for sensing the monitor beam. Alternatively or additionally, the monitor beam may be focused to allow use of a smaller detector and of a smaller percentage of the application beam. The diffractive element deflecting the beam may be either transmissive or reflective. The additionally manipulation of the monitor beam may be provided by the same diffractive element which deflects the beam, which is particularly useful when the diffractive element is reflective, and/or by additional optical elements.