Abstract: An acousto-optic (AO) device includes an AO interaction crystal for receiving and propagating a light ray along an optical propagation direction (OPD). A piezoelectric transducer is on at least one surface of the AO interaction crystal for receiving an electrical signal and emitting an acoustic wave into the AO interaction crystal. An electrode is on the piezoelectric transducer for coupling the electrical signal to the piezoelectric transducer. The electrode is a patterned electrode that includes a plurality of different transverse edge positions. The plurality of different transverse edge positions span a position range of at least five percent of an average height (Havg) of the electrode.

Abstract: An optical combination includes an input lens having an optical axis for receiving incoming rays, an output Petzval lens combination including spaced apart doublet lenses L3 and L4 both aligned along the optical axis, and an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) that defines an input side and an output side for the optical combination positioned between the input lens and L3. An input aperture stop is on the input side and an output beam stop is on or near L4. The input lens can be an input Petzval lens combination including spaced apart doublet lenses L2 and L1, wherein the input aperture stop is on or near L2, and the input Petzval lens combination and output Petzval lens combinations are aligned back-to-back.

Abstract: An acousto-optic (AO) device includes an AO interaction crystal for receiving and propagating a light ray along an optical propagation direction (OPD). A piezoelectric transducer is on at least one surface of the AO interaction crystal for receiving an electrical signal and emitting an acoustic wave into the AO interaction crystal. An electrode is on the piezoelectric transducer for coupling the electrical signal to the piezoelectric transducer. The electrode is a patterned electrode that includes a plurality of different transverse edge positions. The plurality of different transverse edge positions span a position range of at least five percent of an average height (Havg) of the electrode.

Abstract: A polarization diversity detector includes at least one optical fiber having a first end for receiving a beam of light and a second end for transmitting the beam of light. A collimator receives the beam of the light from the optical fiber and outputs a collimated beam. A polarization diversity element includes a birefringent material which is positioned for receiving the collimated beam and resolving the collimated beam into a first beam having a first polarization and a second beam having a second polarization different from the first polarization. The first beam and second beam are angled relative to one another. At least one photodetector array pair includes a first photodetector array positioned to receive the first beam and a second photodetector array positioned to receive the second beam.

Abstract: A system for measuring an optical spectral response of a photoelectric DUT includes a spectrally programmable light source including a broadband light source, a dispersive element for dispersing the light, and a spatial light modulator for controlling an intensity and a spectra of the light to provide a spectrally programmable light beam. A light distributing device is coupled to receive the spectrally programmable light beam and includes a light distributing structure for distributing the spectrally programmable light beam in a known ratio to a first area and a second area. A reference detector is positioned at the first area, and the DUT is positioned at the second area. Data acquisition electronics and a processor receive simultaneously generated output signals from the DUT and the reference detector to correct for intensity variation in the spectrally programmable light beam in determining the optical spectral response of the DUT.

Abstract: A thermally compensated optical device includes in an optical path an input linear polarizer for transmitting linearly polarized light from a received light beam at a design wavelength. A composite reciprocal rotator includes a first reciprocal material and at least a second reciprocal material provides a reciprocal rotation having a temperature coefficient for reciprocal rotation (tempcorr). At least one Faraday rotator provides a non-reciprocal rotation having a temperature coefficient for non-reciprocal rotation (tempconr). An output linear polarizer transmits forward light received after transmission by the Faraday rotator. At a design temperature, the tempcorr and tempconr have opposite signs and can have magnitudes that match within 50%.

Abstract: An optical combination includes an input lens having an optical axis for receiving incoming rays, an output Petzval lens combination including spaced apart doublet lenses L3 and L4 both aligned along the optical axis, and an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) that defines an input side and an output side for the optical combination positioned between the input lens and L3. An input aperture stop is on the input side and an output beam stop is on or near L4. The input lens can be an input Petzval lens combination including spaced apart doublet lenses L2 and L1, wherein the input aperture stop is on or near L2, and the input Petzval lens combination and output Petzval lens combinations are aligned back-to-back.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a platform for placement of a sample or an animal to be imaged, and at least one excitation light source for irradiating the sample or animal to stimulate an emission at a plurality of different center wavelengths. An acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) is provided that includes a piezoelectric transducer crystal for emitting an acoustic wave having a ground electrode disposed on one side of the piezoelectric crystal. A patterned electrode layer is disposed on a side of the piezoelectric crystal opposite the ground electrode. The patterned electrode layer includes a continuous region proximate to its center and a discontinuous region, a pattern in the discontinuous region comprising a plurality of spaced apart features electrically connected to the continuous region, and an AO interaction crystal receiving the acoustic wave attached to the ground electrode or the patterned electrode layer.

Abstract: A thermally compensated optical device includes in an optical path an input linear polarizer for transmitting linearly polarized light from a received light beam at a design wavelength. A composite reciprocal rotator includes a first reciprocal material and at least a second reciprocal material provides a reciprocal rotation having a temperature coefficient for reciprocal rotation (tempcorr). At least one Faraday rotator provides a non-reciprocal rotation having a temperature coefficient for non-reciprocal rotation (tempconr). An output linear polarizer transmits forward light received after transmission by the Faraday rotator. At a design temperature, the tempcorr and tempconr have opposite signs and can have magnitudes that match within 50%.

Abstract: An acousto-optic modulator for a Q-switch (300) for a laser includes a monolithic acousto-optic (a-o) medium (311), a series of at least two acoustic transducers (321, 322), bonded spaced apart on the a-o medium, which emit first and second columnar acoustic beams (331, 332). These interact sequentially with an incident optical beam (Light) passing through the modulator. The transducers are oriented so that an optical ray (342) diffracted from the first acoustic column region enters the second acoustic column region at an angle outside the “acceptance angle” of the second acoustical column, i.e. outside the range of incidence angles for which the diffraction efficiency is significant, whereas the remaining light in the zeroth order will undergo further diffraction at the second acoustic column region. This arrangement significantly reduces the amount of light diffracted by the first beam being diffracted back into the zeroth order by the second acoustic beam.

Abstract: A system for measuring an optical spectral response of a photoelectric device under test (DUT) includes a spectrally programmable light source including in optically coupled sequence a broadband light source for emitting light, a dispersive element for dispersing light, and a spatial light modulator for controlling an intensity and a spectra of the light to provide a spectrally programmable light beam. A light distributing device having at least one input portion is coupled to receive the spectrally programmable light beam and includes a light distributing structure for distributing the spectrally programmable light beam in a known ratio to a first area and at least a second area. A reference detector having a reference output positioned at the first area, and the DUT is positioned at the second area.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a platform for placement of a sample or an animal to be imaged, and at least one excitation light source for irradiating the sample or animal to stimulate an emission at a plurality of different center wavelengths. An acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) is provided that includes a piezoelectric transducer crystal for emitting an acoustic wave having a ground electrode disposed on one side of the piezoelectric crystal. A patterned electrode layer is disposed on a side of the piezoelectric crystal opposite the ground electrode. The patterned electrode layer includes a continuous region proximate to its center and a discontinuous region, a pattern in the discontinuous region comprising a plurality of spaced apart features electrically connected to the continuous region, and an AO interaction crystal receiving the acoustic wave attached to the ground electrode or the patterned electrode layer.

Abstract: A quasi-PM fused optical coupler device and method for forming the same. The optical coupler device includes a first polarization maintaining (PM) input section providing a first PM input for the fused optical coupler device for receiving a linearly polarized signal and a first PM input section output. A non-PM fiber including fusion region has an input optically coupled to the first PM input section output, the fusion region including a fusion region output. A first intermediate non-PM output and a second intermediate non-PM output are both optically coupled to the fusion region output. A first support structure is provided for securing the fusion region thereto, wherein the first intermediate non-PM output includes a cleaved output near an outer edge of the first support structure to provide a shortened first intermediate non-PM output.

Abstract: A fiber optic bidirectional communications network includes a plurality of decentralized communication nodes each including a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength ?2 and a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength ?1, at least one relay including a receiver operable to receive signals at ?2 and a transmitter for transmitting signals at ?2. At least one passive optical network (PON) includes at least one optical fiber, at least bidirectional coupler coupled to the optical fiber for coupling signals at ?2 transmitted by the relay to the plurality of communication nodes and for combining signals at ?1 from the plurality of nodes into the optical fiber for coupling to the relay. Any of the plurality of communication nodes may communicate of the other communication nodes via the relay. In one embodiment ?1??2 and the relay is a wavelength shifting relay.

Abstract: A fiber intensity reducer comprises a guided system fiber including a core and an outer cladding layer, an unguided fiber intensity reducing (FIR) section including a first fiber “end cap fiber” having a first end and a second end attached at its first end to the system fiber. A bond region is between the first end of the first fiber and the system fiber. The FIR section provides a softening point of at least 700° C. throughout and provides a sufficient transverse dimension along its entire length so that a beam of radiation received from the system fiber expanding therein avoids an interface with the air along its entire length. In one arrangement, the FIR section includes an outer capillary on the end cap fiber, wherein the capillary and the end cap fiber provide refractive index matching.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant fluid cooled acousto-optic (AO) device includes an AO interaction medium and a piezoelectric transducer affixed to the AO medium. A cooling arrangement is thermally coupled to the AO medium and includes a first material, and at least one cooling conduit in thermal contact within the first material formed from a second different material having an inlet and an outlet coupled thereto. The conduit provides a channel having an inner surface for flowing a coolant fluid therethrough, wherein the conduit includes a continuous corrosion resistant material layer over its entire area of the inner surface. The first material provides a specific acoustic impedance closer to a specific acoustic impedance of the AO medium as compared to the corrosion resistant material, and a bulk thermal conductivity at 25 C of at least 75 W/m·K.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant fluid cooled acousto-optic (AO) device includes an AO interaction medium and a piezoelectric transducer affixed to the AO medium. A cooling arrangement is thermally coupled to the AO medium and includes a first material, and at least one cooling conduit in thermal contact within the first material formed from a second different material having an inlet and an outlet coupled thereto. The conduit provides a channel having an inner surface for flowing a coolant fluid therethrough, wherein the conduit includes a continuous corrosion resistant material layer over its entire area of the inner surface. The first material provides a specific acoustic impedance closer to a specific acoustic impedance of the AO medium as compared to the corrosion resistant material, and a bulk thermal conductivity at 25 C of at least 75 W/m·K.

Abstract: An acousto-optic (AO) frequency shifter includes an anisotropic crystal having an optical axis and an input face, and an acoustic transducer having electrodes affixed to the face for receiving an electrical signal and projecting an acoustic wave into the crystal. The anisotropic crystal is cut relative to the face so that the transducer is at an acoustic angle (?a) corresponding to a predetermined angle of incidence (?i) of an optical beam to be directed relative to the optic axis of the anisotropic crystal to substantially satisfy the parallel tangents phase matching condition.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer comprises a ferroelectric crystal having a plurality of spaced apart ferroelectric domain inverted regions and at least one non-inverted region. An electrode layer is disposed on one side of the crystal electrically contacting both the domain inverted portion and the non-inverted portion of the crystal. On a side of the crystal opposite the electrode layer, a first electrode is disposed on the domain inverted portion spaced apart from a second electrode disposed on the non-inverted portion. As a result, the acoustic transducer provides sub-transducers hooked in series having effective areas defined by the areas of their respective electrodes.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer comprises a ferroelectric crystal having a plurality of spaced apart ferroelectric domain inverted regions and at least one non-inverted region. An electrode layer is disposed on one side of the crystal electrically contacting both the domain inverted portion and the non-inverted portion of the crystal. On a side of the crystal opposite the electrode layer, a first electrode is disposed on the domain inverted portion spaced apart from a second electrode disposed on the non-inverted portion. As a result, the acoustic transducer provides sub-transducers hooked in series having effective areas defined by the areas of their respective electrodes.