Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a polarization maintaining optical coupler, protective jackets of the optical fibers are tapered adjacent the fused portions. In one embodiment of the method a fusing heat source travels repeatedly over a fixed predetermined distance. The fused portion is surrounded by air.

Abstract: A compact sized polarization maintaining optical coupler utilizes a fused and tapered optical fiber coupler. The protective jackets of the optical fibers are tapered adjacent the fused portions. The fused portion is surrounded by air.

Abstract: A switched optical wavelength selective reflector includes a 1×n bi-directional optical switch coupled to a plurality of wavelength selective reflective filters.

Abstract: An optical wavelength multiple access system includes a laser source providing multiple wavelength component optical signals. The optical signals are coupled to a rapid switched narrow line filter. The rapid switched narrow line filter is controllable to output selected predetermined wavelength components. A micro controller coupled to the rapid switched narrow line filter receives data and controls the rapid switched narrow line filter to select a plurality of wavelength components in response to the data.

Abstract: A dynamic optical wavelength balancer is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of wavelength selective reflectors. Each wavelength selective reflector reflects optical signals at a predetermined one optical wavelength selected from a plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths. A bi-directional optical variable coupler array has a first port and a plurality, N, of second ports. Each wavelength selective reflector is coupled to a corresponding one of the second ports. The bi-directional optical variable coupler array is responsive to control signals for establishing different degrees of optical couplings between the first port and selected ones of the plurality of second ports.

Abstract: Apparatus providing a plurality of fixed wavelength reflective optical filters and a method for forming the apparatus is described.

Abstract: An integrated optic device includes at least one waveguide formed in a surfaced thereof. The waveguide is formed utilizing a two-step proton exchange process in which the substrate is bathed in a strong acid and then subjected to a plurality of annealing cycles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated optic device having at least one waveguide formed in a surfaced thereof is described. The waveguide is formed utilizing a two-step proton exchange process in which the substrate is bathed in a strong acid and then subjected to a plurality of annealing cycles.

Abstract: The invention is a tunable optical transmitter and light source in which a gain media is connected in an optical loop or resonator and a tunable filter is inserted in to the loop. A sensor is coupled to the loop and provides wavelength indicative signals that a processing unit utilizes in accordance with a predetermined algorithm to determine the wavelength of optical signals in the loop. The processing unit adjusts the tunable filter to a wavelength selected from a plurality of predetermined wavelengths.

Abstract: An integrated optic device for optical signals comprises substrate carrying a surface acousto-optic tunable filter utilized to provide signals indicative of the wavelength of the optical signals, and a tunable filter controllable via a processor such that the tunable filter passes only optical signals at a predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: A laser source in accordance with the invention includes a broadband laser generating optical output signals including a plurality of predetermined wavelength components. A bi-directional optical switch having a first port and a plurality of second ports is responsive to control signals for establishing an optical coupling between said first port and a selected one of the plurality of second ports. A circulator having a first port is coupled to the broadband laser, a circulator second port is coupled to the bi-directional optical switch first port and a circulator third port provides output optical signals. A plurality of wavelength selective reflectors is provided. Each wavelength selective reflector is coupled to a corresponding one the optical switch second ports, each of the wavelength selective reflectors reflects optical signals at a predetermined one optical wavelength selected from a plurality of predetermined optical wavelength. Apparatus is provided for generating the control signals.

Abstract: Optical communication system apparatus and methods of operating an optical communications system are described. A multiple wavelength laser source is utilized to provide channel synchronization signals for the system. The laser source utilizes a plurality of Erbium doped fiber lasers. The output of each laser is shaped with a fiber grating, and multiplexed together. A single Erbium doped fiber amplifier is utilized to amplify the multiplexed output.

Abstract: An integrated optic device includes at least one waveguide formed in a surfaced thereof. The waveguide is formed utilizing a two-step proton exchange process in which the substrate is bathed in a strong acid and then subjected to a plurality of annealing cycles.