Abstract: Optical pumping arrangements are provided for the broadband or multiple wavelength pumping of optical sources. Sources may be based on Raman gain media for amplification. Broadband amplification is provided by using a laser source operating in coherence collapse. Such a source may make use of an optical generator and an output coupler which are sufficiently far apart from one another as to ensure coherence collapse.

Abstract: A spring-to-spring engagement of a kick-out spring and a secondary spring is disposed intermediate a structure supporting an electrical connector and an insertable and latchable electronic module or the like to enhance the disconnection and ejection of the module from the connector to which the module is connected. The spring-to-spring engagement insures both that adequate spring force is stored upon insertion and connection of the module and that disconnection and ejection forces are applied to the module. The forces are applied over a sufficient distance to fully displace the module from its latched position to its position of disconnection from the connectors and still provide spring force travel of the module to eject at least partially the module from the receiver or port into which the module was inserted and connected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for forming metalized structures, such as electrodes, on non-conductive substrates of electronic and electro-optic devices for enhanced corrosion resistance. In the method of the present invention, an electrode layer is deposited over an adhesion layer on a substrate surface including all edges of the adhesion layer not in contact with the substrate, thereby encapsulating the adhesion layer within the electrode metal before forming the electrode. Prior art multi-layer metalized structures have a galvanic corrosion problem when exposed to moisture, owing to the differences in electrochemical potentials of the dissimilar metals. Galvanic corrosion cells are created at areas of water condensation during device service. Such galvanic corrosion can cause current leakage, short circuit, or other problems causing device failures.

Abstract: A broad stripe semiconductor laser has a folded cavity that permits the laser to produce output powers into a high quality beam with low divergence. The folded cavity includes a first material region disposed within the cavity having a first refractive index and a second material region having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index, and forming a first interface with the first material region. The first interface is disposed to reflect a lowest order reflection mode light beam propagating within the first material region. The first interface is disposed at a predetermined angle so that the lowest order reflection mode intracavity light beam is incident on the first interface at an angle below the critical total internal reflection angle, and higher order reflection modes are incident on the first interface at angles in excess of the total internal reflection critical angle. The interface may be curved to control the divergence to the light emitted from the cavity.

Abstract: Add-drop optical switches include fixed reflectors, such as fixed mirrors, and movable reflectors, such as movable mirrors, wherein none of the fixed reflectors and none of the movable reflectors are oriented orthogonal to one another on a substrate when the movable reflectors that provide the add-drop functionality are in a radiation reflecting position. In preferred embodiments, each of the fixed and movable reflectors is oriented parallel to or at a 70° angle to, the remaining fixed and movable reflectors when the movable reflectors are in the radiation reflecting position. Most preferably, the fixed reflectors and the movable reflectors all are oriented on the substrate in parallel when the movable reflectors are in the radiation reflecting position. By providing these orientations of fixed and movable reflectors, add-drop optical switches may be fabricated on silicon substrates using wet etching along crystallographic planes. High performance add-drop optical switches thereby may be provided.

Abstract: An optical source with a light output which may be set to a desired wavelength out of a specified range of wavelengths is described. This optical source includes a housing and a laser arrangement for causing light to lase over the specified range of wavelengths. The laser arrangement is supported in the housing such that a light path is defined in the housing along which light path the specified range of wavelengths is potentially producible. The optical source further includes at least one tuning cartridge for setting the light output of the optical source to the desired wavelength out of the specified range of wavelengths. The tuning cartridge in turn includes a wavelength selective element and is configured to cooperate with said housing in a way which positions the wavelength selective element in the light path to set the light output of the optical source to the desired wavelength out of the specified range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A module includes a module body adapted to plug into a mating port, and a latch member attached to the module body. The latch member is immovable relative to the module body when attached to the module body. The latch member is essentially always engaged with a receiving member of the mating port when the module body is plugged into the mating port, which always hinders a removal of the module body from the mating port.

Abstract: A single reference tone/frequency-based control scheme adjusts the DC bias voltage and modulation signal drive level to an external X-cut lithium niobate Mach Zehnder modulator, in accordance with phase quadrature components of the output of the single tone frequency generator. A pair of phase quadrature feedback loops are coupled through a loop filter of a common feedback path electo-optically coupled to monitor the optical output of the laser modulator. Quadrature-phase (Q) and in-phase (I) frequency components are respectively coupled to respective Q and I channel phase detectors, coupled to synchronous demodulators for the Q and I channel feedback loops. The phase detectors produce respective error voltages that close Q and I channel feedback loops and control the optical extinction ratio and DC bias voltage of the modulator.

Abstract: A double-stage (multi-stage) optical isolator is composed of two pairs of birefringent wedges (polarizers) with a Faraday rotator sandwiched by a pair of the wedges. The wedge-shaped polarizers, each defining a wedge angle, are disposed such that the wedges of the third and fourth polarizer (second stage) are arranged generally opposite relative to the wedges of the first and second polarizer (first stage) respectively, the wedge angles and the angles of incidence in the forward direction selected such as to minimize offset between the line of propagation of an optical beam passing through the isolator in the forward direction. The isolator has a PMD compensation element disposed between the first and the second stage to minimize polarization mode dispersion of light beams propagating through the isolator. The isolator has a very low PDL, virtually no PMD, high isolation and virtually no displacement (offset) between the input beam and out beam line of propagation.

Abstract: Integrated optoelectronic devices include a substrate having an opening therein that extends at least partially therethrough and a ledge extending inwardly from a sidewall of the opening. A pop-up mirror is provided in the opening. The mirror has an underside edge that is supported by an upward facing portion of the ledge when the mirror is in a closed position. A hinge is also provided. The hinge mechanically couples the mirror to the substrate so that the mirror can be rotated from the closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the manufacture of an optical fiber preform having incorporated therein a comparatively high concentration of rare earth dopant material, and which thus can be drawn and processed into an optical fiber having low numerical aperture, low core attenuation, and high pumping power absorption. The high concentrations of rare earth dopant material are accomplished through either the “hybrid vapor processing” (HVP) method or a “hybrid liquid processing” (HLP) method, each capable of being practiced in combination or independently of one another. The HVP method involves the vaporization of a rare earth halogen by the exposure thereof to a sufficiently elevated temperature, independently, or contemporaneously with the transport of the resultant rare earth halogen laden vapor, into a glass forming oxidation reaction zone on a flowing stream of essentially an unreactive inert gas, such as helium.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical filter having first wave retarding element for receiving an optical signal including a plurality of wavelengths, said first wave retarding element having a first periodic output response of a first phase versus wavelength for the optical signal. The optical signal is polarized when being launched into the first wave retarding element. A second wave retarding element receives the optical signal from the first wave retarding element. The second wave retarding element has a second periodic output response of a second phase versus wavelength for the optical signal. The first periodic output response and the second periodic output response are different from each other and non-integer multiples of each other. Advantageously, the gain flattening filter is tunable, cost effective, and compact in size. It is capable of producing any desired spectral curve without PDL by simply adjusting the angle of each wave retarding means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the manufacture of an optical fiber preform having incorporated therein a comparatively high concentration of rare earth dopant material, and which thus can be drawn and processed into an optical fiber having low numerical aperture, low core attenuation, and high pumping power absorption. The high concentrations of rare earth dopant material are accomplished through either the “hybrid vapor processing” (HVP) method or a “hybrid liquid processing” (HLP) method, each capable of being practiced in combination or independently of one another. The HVP method involves the vaporization of a rare earth halogen by the exposure thereof to a sufficiently elevated temperature, independently, or contemporaneously with the transport of the resultant rare earth halogen laden vapor, into a glass forming oxidation reaction zone on a flowing stream of essentially an unreactive inert gas, such as helium.

Abstract: High power semiconductor lasers for pumping fiber devices, such as fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers, include an optical gain region disposed between a rear end and the output end, the width of the optical gain region being greater at the output end than at the rear end. The optical gain region may include a single mode channel region coupled to a flared amplifier region. The light output from the laser is coupled via a lens system into a fiber for propagating to the fiber device to be pumped. Light is fedback into the laser, for example from a fiber Bragg grating, to induce the laser to operate in coherence collapse. The broad bandwidth output associated with coherence collapse permits the laser to deliver high optical powers into the fiber without the onset of stimulated Billion scattering. Fiber grating feedback improves the quality of the beam output by the laser, thus enhancing coupling efficiency into the fiber. The pump laser may be used to pump multiple fiber devices.

Abstract: A technique for fabricating a plurality of thin film filters (“TFFs”), and other optical devices, from a wafer. A device or TFF wafer is affixed to a carrier having a pattern of notches formed thereon corresponding to a pattern into which the wafer is to be diced to form the TFFs. The notches are sized to allow clearance of a dicing apparatus. The wafer is diced at least partially into the notches to form the TFFs, and the TFFs may be individually optically tested with a light source aligned thereto, while they remain affixed to the carrier. The TFFs are removed from the carrier for operation, and the carrier can be re-used. To facilitate re-use, a releasable adhesive is applied to the wafer and/or the carrier, and the notches receive any excess adhesive when the wafer is being affixed to the carrier.

Abstract: A pump source for a fiber Raman amplifier uses multiple lasers to generate high pump power or to generate a pump beam having a tailored spectrum for producing a desired Raman gain spectral profile. Light from two lasers, in mutually orthogonal polarization states directed to a polarization combiner that produces an output having light mixed at the two orthogonal polarization states. A depolarizer depolarizes the output. The depolarizer defines first and second orthogonal polarization modes oriented so that the light output from the polarization combiner in one polarization state excites the first and second polarization modes of the depolarizer equally and the light output from the polarization combiner in the other polarization state also excites the first and second polarization modes of the depolarizer equally.

Abstract: Mounting systems for micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) structures are provided including a non-Newtonian fluid having a threshold viscosity that is positioned between a MEMS base member and the MEMS structure so as to position the MEMS structure relative to the base member. A MEMS actuator is coupled to the MEMS structure. The MEMS actuator is positioned to cause movement of the MEMS structure relative to the MEMS base member by generating a force sufficient to exceed the threshold viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid when the MEMS actuator is actuated. The MEMS structure may be a MEMS mirror positioned for pivotal movement about a bearing member to control tilt of the MEMS mirror.

Abstract: A dual pulse width modulated driver controls the operation of a thermo-electric cooler for stabilizing the operating temperature of a laser. The pulse width modulator has complementary outputs coupled to control inputs of dual pairs of complementary polarity electronic switching elements, that are coupled in circuit between first and second power supply terminals, and a pair of output nodes. The output nodes are coupled in common through a low pass filters to drive terminals of a thermoelectric cooling element. The thermal output generated by the thermoelectric cooling element is coupled to the laser. The thermal output of the cooling element is monitored by a temperature sensing element mounted with the laser and provides an output voltage in linear proportion of its thermal input. This output voltage is fed back through a temperature control servo loop to a differential summing circuit, which is also coupled to receive a reference voltage used to control the duty cycle of the pulse width modulator.

Abstract: A latch is controlled to latch and unlatch a device by using a portion of the insertion and extraction movement of the device being latched. The latch incorporates a pair of tongs. The ends or latching extensions of the tongs are positionable behind a latch bar, preventing the extraction of the latched device. The tongs are positioned under the control of an actuator or latch control member which is moved to latch or unlatch the latch. The actuator member is pushed into the host device once the device being latched is positioned in the desired position. The tongs respond to the pushing of the actuator member by spreading the input ends under the influence of connecting input links moreover, the latching extensions are pivoted toward each other, positioning the latching extensions in a latched position. The latch extensions are spread to release the latch and the latched device by pulling the actuator member, pulling the input links as well as the input ends of the tongs, and thereby pivoting the tongs.

Abstract: A planar waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZ) has improved performance as a variable optical attenuator as well as a thermo-optic switch (TOS) with reduced polarization dependent loss (PDL) in high attenuation states. The PDL was reduced by correcting for the increased birefringence that occurs on heating one waveguide arm by making the two waveguides inherently asymmetric, such that when one of the waveguides is heated, the differential birefringence of the two arms becomes zero. This asymmetry can be realized simply by changing the width of one of the waveguides. The modified device allows for very small PDL in the high attenuation state of a VOA and for theoretically perfect contrast in a TOS in the off state, with only a small penalty in PDL of the on state.